SA treasurer accuses Chinese government of undermining Australian metal refining

South Australia’s treasurer and energy minister says China is undermining Australia’s smelting industry and that any shutdown would leave national security “very exposed”. Tom Koutsantonis made the claims on 891 ABC Adelaide when asked about the future of Nyrstar’s troubled lead smelter in Port Pirie. “I think you should be concerned anytime another government to our north, like China, is doing everything it can to use its taxpayers money to bankrupt this smelter,” he said. “Make no mistake about it, this smelter is under attack. This smelter is having every aspect of its commerciality undermined by a foreign government.” Asked…