20 November, Australia: Nyrstar has successfully cast its first antimony metal from a pilot plant at its Port Pirie multi-metals facility this week, marking a significant milestone in the development of Australia’s critical minerals capability.

The production of antimony, a metal essential for defence, energy and advanced manufacturing applications, is primarily made possible through the processing of lead, enabling Port Pirie’s established lead smelting infrastructure to be considered as a key contributor to the US-Australia Critical Minerals and Rare Earths Framework.

The development so far has involved re-engineering sections of the site’s copper plant and procurement of electrowinning cells and associated infrastructure. The project has rapidly scaled in recent months, with additional metallurgists, engineers, and mechanical tradespeople seconded to support commissioning and operations.

Supported by the South Australian and Australian Governments through a funding package announced in August 2025, initial batches of antimony metal are expected to be exported in the first half of next year, with the aim of ramping up production to 2,000 tonnes per annum by the end of 2026.

Subject to further investment and upgrades, the facility has the potential to scale up to 5,000 tonnes of refined antimony metal per annum by 2028, equivalent to approximately 15% of global supply and nearly 100% of the United States’ 2023 import volume.

Antimony is a critical metal used in a wide range of applications including ammunition, night vision goggles, infrared sensors, semiconductors, fibre optics, batteries, solar panels, and consumer electronics. Its strategic importance has grown amid global supply chain disruptions and China’s export restrictions on antimony-related products.

General Manager for Nyrstar Port Pirie, Darin Cooper said the milestone reflects the site’s growing role in Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability.

“Casting our first antimony metal is a major step forward for Nyrstar and for Australia’s critical minerals supply chain,” Mr Cooper said.

“This project demonstrates Port Pirie’s ability to produce strategic metals at scale and supports our ambition to be a reliable supplier to global markets.”

Nyrstar’s antimony project is part of a broader strategy to expand Australia’s production of critical and strategic metals. The company is also assessing opportunities to produce bismuth and tellurium at Port Pirie, and germanium and indium at its Hobart Zinc Works.

Nyrstar contributes around $1.7 billion to Australia’s economy year and directly employs 1,400 Australians, supporting a further 6,600 indirect jobs.

ENDS