Electrolytic Zinc


Electrolytic Zinc or the Electrolyic Zinc Company of Australasia was the company that operated a zinc refinery on the banks of the Derwent River in Risdon in Hobart in Tasmania between 1916 and 1984.

Refinery

The refinery was often given names such as the Risdon works, the Zinc works,reduction works. The current usage and place name located at the Risdon works is identified as Lutana.

EZ era

The operations of the Risdon works were tied in with the mining of zinc in Rosebery on the West Coast of Tasmania.
The company was founded as a subsidiary of Amalgamated Zinc, under general manager H. W. Gepp, to take advantage of the cheap and plentiful hydroelectric power then available. The EZ name was established in 1920. The settlement of the suburb of Risdon was almost exclusively that of EZ workers.
EZ company was a major employer in Hobart and an important part of the Tasmanian economy.
Pollution from the works was an issue for the company, and successor companies that operated the works as well as disposal of waste out to sea.

Subsequent operators

The subsequent owners and operators of the Risdon works after the takeover in 1984 were:
The refinery received an Engineering Heritage National Marker from Engineers Australia as part of its Engineering Heritage Recognition Program.