The Latest Breaking News from Port Pirie

Relief for workers with lifeline for ailing smelters

Smelter operator Nyrstar hasn't ruled out needing further taxpayer money after extra funds were announced to prop up two ailing facilities.

AAP · Jun 10

Smelter rescue bolsters nation's critical metals future

Catastrophe has been avoided with the bailout of two smelters, says a union that now urges governments to safeguard the nation's metal manufacturing capability.

AAP · Aug 5, 2025

Dead and dying Port Pirie birds and bats exposed to lead at 3,000 times acceptable levels

South Australia’s EPA did not open a formal investigation into the source of the lead poisoning, despite referral from the Department of Primary Industries

The Guardian - AU · Mar 12, 2025

Nyrstar plans to recycle 88 million household batteries a year and keep them out of landfill

Up to 2,000 tonnes of single-use household batteries will be recycled each year at Port Pirie's South Australian smelter site, with copper and zinc extracted from them and exported overseas.

ABC News · Sep 15, 2022

Port Pirie's Riding for the Disabled Association calls for more volunteers

The organisation says it has 10 people waiting to get into the saddle, but staff have been difficult to retain.

ABC News · Sep 9, 2022

Port Pirie suburb records 25 per cent rise in median rental price as vacancy rates remain at historic lows

Meanwhile, six vacant public houses remain empty despite 600 applicants in the Port Pirie region still waiting for a home. Advocates are calling for more immediate solutions to the rental crisis.

ABC News · Jul 14, 2022

Port Pirie smelter licence renewed with new requirements to tackle emissions

Targets to reduce airborne lead emissions from Nyrstar's smelter in Port Pirie are set in its operating licence, which is renewed for 12 months.

ABC News · Jul 1, 2022

SA smelter has its licence renewed

The South Australian Environment Protection Authority has renewed the operating licence for the Nyrstar smelting operations at Port Pirie.

AAP · Jun 30, 2022

Journalist Des Parker shared Port Pirie residents' stories for 65 years and still holds the memories

From selling papers outside Port Pirie’s smelter gates for a penny, to writing 1,000 profiles and a column that ran in The Recorder for three decades, Des Parker retains much of his 65-year newspaper career in his shed.

ABC News · Jun 30, 2022

$1 million drug burn

Illegal drugs with street value of more than $1 million destroyed by police

The Canberra Times · Jun 24, 2022