Port Pirie Smelter's Future Uncertain

0:00It's May 1st. You're listening to Adelaide News today, AI-powered local news. Jobs hanging in the balance at the poor-perry smelter, where a $135 million government rescue package just expired. That's putting more than 1,000 workers at risk in this key South Australian site, one of the world's biggest multi-metal operations handling, lead, silver, zinc, and more. Back in August 2025, state, federal and Tasmanian governments teamed up for the bailout $55 million from South Australia, $57.5 million federal, and $22.5 million from Tasmania, to Keaton Earstar's Port Perier plant and its Hobart zinc, refinery afloat amid tough finances. This 130-year-old facility employs around 1,050 people, making up about 10% of the local workforce, so the stakes are huge for families and the whole region. Mayor Peter Malinowski's voiced real worries about the plant's survival, but negotiations

1:01between governments are still rolling, with him set too. Brief the media any minute now. Meanwhile, they've kicked off anti-mony production, shipping the first batch East Coast in February, and eye exports to Europe, Asia, and the U.S. Rebbing up to 5,000 tons a year by 2028, showing some bright spots if talks seal the deal.