Nyrstar marks Port Pirie’s first shipment of Australian-produced Antimony metal

Port Pirie, Australia, 17 February 2026 - International producer of critical and strategic metals Nyrstar, today announced the first shipment of Australian‑produced commercial-grade Antimony metal from its Port Pirie multi‑metals facility, marking a milestone in the nation’s efforts to build and strengthen mine-to-metal supply chains for critical minerals.

This inaugural shipment from the Demonstration Plant marks an important step in establishing an independent and sovereign supply of Antimony metal from Australia, a critical metal used in defence, semiconductors, energy and automotive industries globally. The first shipment will be used by an Australian domestic manufacturer on the east coast of Australia with future shipments destined for export to customers in Europe, Asia or the US, supporting a more diverse and resilient supply chain for strategic materials.

This new product has been enabled by rapid construction and commissioning of Nyrstar’s Antimony pilot and demonstration plants, allowing Australia to produce Antimony metal from a wide range of local and global concentrates, leveraging Port Pirie’s existing multi-metals processing infrastructure and capabilities.

The accelerated delivery of Nyrstar’s Antimony demonstration plant was supported by the Australian and South Australian Governments, ensuring the first batches of Antimony metal could be produced and shipped well ahead of schedule.

Darin Cooper, Nyrstar Port Pirie General Manager, said today’s milestone highlights the strategic role Port Pirie and Australia can play in helping global markets with an alternative, reliable and transparent supply of critical minerals.

“The first shipment of Antimony metal from Port Pirie demonstrates the importance of investing in nationally strategic smelters. Mining alone doesn’t create supply chain security - it’s the smelting, refining and conversion into critical metals that ensures Australia can play a strategic role for itself and its allies,” Mr Cooper said.

“Antimony metal is essential for modern societies, and global customers have been increasingly seeking secure supply from trusted sources. Nyrstar at Port Pirie is responding to the challenge, demonstrating that mine-to-metals capability in Australia is possible, and with the support of government can be delivered at speed and scale.” Mr Cooper said.

As Australia’s only lead refiner, Nyrstar’s Port Pirie multi-metals facility will have the potential capacity to produce up to 5,000 tonnes of Antimony metal per annum, representing approximately 15% of the global market and the equivalent of nearly 100% of US imports in 2023. Nyrstar will continue to work closely with Federal and State Governments and commercial partners to secure support for this potential expansion and modernisation of its Australian assets.

Nyrstar’s production of Antimony at Port Pirie was identified last year in the pipeline of critical minerals projects as part of the US–Australia Critical Minerals Framework, and Antimony is a priority mineral for the Australian Government’s Strategic Reserve. Antimony is recognised as a key metal at risk requiring urgent new supply pathways and Nyrstar is also in discussions with organisations across Japan, Europe and the United States on formal offtake partnerships for long‑term supply.

In addition to Antimony production, with government support Nyrstar is also exploring the potential to produce Bismuth and Tellurium at Port Pirie, as well as Germanium at its Hobart Zinc Works.