The proposed $350 million redevelopment of Nyrstar’s smelting operations into a cleaner poly-metallic processing and recovery facility at Port Pirie has been declared a Major Development by the South Australian Government.

State Minister for Planning, John Rau, declared the project to be of major environmental, social and economic importance to the State under section 46 of the Development Act 1993.

Mr Rau said the declaration will trigger the most extensive development assessment process in the State’s history.

The project is set to secure thousands of jobs for the region, with Nyrstar currently employing around 2,500 full time equivalent.

"This equates to more than 15 per cent of the total workforce of Port Pirie so it is essential major projects that provide such significant economic benefits for a community receive the appropriate level of assessment,” Mr Rau said.

"Not to mention the environmental benefit, as the transformation of the 120 year old smelter into a new, cleaner poly-metallic processing and recovery facility will also see a significant reduction in lead emissions."

Minister Rau said the Major Development status provides the highest order level of assessment with all issues to be thoroughly investigated.

"Under the Major Development process, a thorough assessment of all issues will be undertaken," he said.

Nyrstar is now required to lodge a development application that will be referred to the Development Assessment Commission (DAC) to determine the level of assessment and guidelines for the proposed development.

These guidelines will be publicly released and the community will be able to comment on the investigations and detailed environment report undertaken in response to the guidelines when this is complete and publicly released.