Air Pollution - Risdon Works of Electrolytic Zinc Company of Aust. Ltd.

The metallurgical works of the Electrolytic Zinc Company is situated on the Derwent Estuary, approximately five miles north of the city of Hobart and near a relatively dense housing area. Zinc concentrates, consisting chiefly of zinc and sulphur, have been roasted at Risdon for 53 years;- recently at rates of 1, 100 tons per day. The zinc content of the ores is converted to zinc calcine (ZnO), which is a dusty material. The calcine is leached with acid to form zinc sulphate, which is then electrolysed to make zinc. The sulphur is oxidised during roasting to sulphur dioxide, part of which is converted to sulphuric acid and part is dissolved in estuarine water which is then discharged to the Derwent Estuary. Photographic slides were exhibited showing the unaffected green flora of the nearby hills, of clear exit stacks, of green lawns, and of a w ll lrcnt nines hnlP anlf nniir.qa within the Wnrka hnnnrla_rv_