Ausmelt Whyalla Resource Recovery Facility (formerly known as the pig iron plant) is in the final stages of its commissioning with operations being streamlined to manufacture zinc.
Whyalla Zinc Plant manager Barry Butler said the commissioning was on schedule and he was happy with the results so far.
He said all the teething problems were being ironed out and the plant will start running at full capacity from next month.
“Thirty jobs have been created since the re-opening of the plant and as operations increase with scheduled expansion of the site we hope to increase the workforce also,” Mr Butler said.
“This is a 24 hour, seven day operation with 12 hour shifts and all the workers are from Whyalla.
“The quality of this plant is that it has the flexibility to smelter a variety of other metals.
“At the moment we are working on zinc from Tasmania and talks are underway with at least three other companies to process alternative metals.”
The Whyalla pig iron demonstration plant was commissioned in November 2000 and used to demonstrate Ausmelt’s AusIron technology through trials conducted over an 18-month period.
The facility is completely self-contained, incorporating all necessary raw material handling, smelting, gas cleaning and product-handling equipment, with associated utilities.
The plant is currently capable of producing approximately 10,000 tonnes of zinc per year.
This plant remains available for use as a commercial demonstrator for Ausmelt’s smelting technology in both iron-making and non-ferrous applications.
The official opening of the plant will be on June 10 followed by a community event to allow the residents of Whyalla to have a look at the smelter.
Mr Butler said he was happy with the progress and Ausmelt would keep the local community informed and involved in the project.
“We are very excited about the potential of this operation and if things go well we have some expansion plans in the pipeline, which we hope to launch soon,” Mr Butler said.