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Zinc

Zinc is a bluish-white metallic element and base metal widely used in industrial applications, particularly for galvanising steel to prevent corrosion. It ranks as the fourth most commonly used metal globally after iron, aluminium and copper, with annual production exceeding 13-million tonnes. The metal is typically extracted from sulphide ores such as sphalerite, often found in association with copper, lead and other base metals in polymetallic deposits. Major zinc-producing countries include China, Peru, Australia, the United States and India, with significant African production in South Africa, Namibia and Morocco. Zinc's primary application is galvanising, which accounts for about half of global consumption, protecting steel structures, vehicles and infrastructure from rust. Other important uses include die-casting alloys for automotive and electronics components, brass production when alloyed with copper, and zinc oxide for rubber, paints and pharmaceuticals. The metal also plays an essential role in human nutrition and agriculture as a micronutrient. Zinc prices are traded on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange, with market dynamics influenced by construction activity, automotive demand and infrastructure spending. The metal has been known and used since ancient times, with large-scale industrial production beginning in the eighteenth century as smelting technologies advanced.

Zinc News


Praire Creek surface infrastructure
Honey Badger initiates updated PEA, MRE studies on world-class Prairie Creek silver deposit
29th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed Honey Badger Silver has tasked consultancy JDS Energy & Mining to conduct an updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA) and mineral resource estimate (MRE) on the Praire Creek... 


Northern Cape's Okiep and Prieska complexes juxtaposed.
Drilling highlights more copper mineralisation in Northern Cape
29th May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

A significant zone of visible copper sulphide mineralisation has been intersected down-dip of a wide zone of high-grade copper mineralisation intersected last year. The intersection has taken place... 


Image of dictionary definition of base metals
Tala Hamza zinc/lead project, Algeria
29th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

A revised two-million-tonne-a-year mining study has been completed on the proposed project. 


Image of processing plant Camino Rojo
Camino Rojo gold project, Mexico
29th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

A preliminary economic assessment has outlined a pathway to develop an additional, standalone operation at Camino Rojo. 


Image of Gamsberg ore handling system
Gamsberg Phase II expansion project, South Africa – update
29th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The project is almost complete. 


Image of smelter
Gamsberg smelter project, South Africa – update
29th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

First production is expected in the 2031 financial year. 


Northern Cape copper mining being revived.
Capital raised to turn South African copper projects into mining operations
22nd May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

More than R180-million has been raised to transition key copper projects in South Africa’s endowed Northern Cape into operations as early as in the second quarter of this year. The strongly... 


Québec
Canada invests in Arctic infrastructure to bring critical minerals to market
22nd May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

The government of Canada is making strategic investments to advance Canada's critical minerals potential, reinforce Arctic sovereignty and create long–term economic prosperity for northern and... 


Drill holes shown in green at Flat Mine East.
Northern Cape copper drilling provides clear scale-up path
20th May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The latest drilling at Okiep in South Africa’s copper-endowed Northern Cape has provided a clear path to scale up at Flat Mine East, where a down-dip extension hole is already being developed as a... 


Aerial view of Rosh Pinah project
Rosh Pinah expansion, Nambia – update
15th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The project is now more than 90% complete. 


An image of Patrycja Kula-Verster
Attracting junior- focused capital
15th May 2026 By: Trent Roebeck

The junior mining sector in South Africa is well equipped with resources, knowledge and skills to place the mining sector on an upward trajectory to again become a leading player in the supply of... 


The above image depicts a copper license image from the Planetary AI Xplore platform
AI pinpoints major mineral-bearing anomalies in Botswana
15th May 2026 By: Lynne Davies

Having identified multiple anomalies across copper, silver and lead/zinc across the north-eastern Damara Belt using AI tools, mineral exploration company Botswana Minerals has found a 9.5 km copper... 


Image of zinc ingots
Gamsberg smelter project, South Africa – update
15th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The Gamsberg smelter will treat all zinc concentrate from the Gamsberg operation.  


Ore handling system at the Gamsberg project
Gamsberg Phase II expansion project, South Africa – update
15th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Overall progress was estimated at 75% in the first quarter of the 2026 financial year.  


Prieska underhround
Prieska copper/zinc mine, South Africa – update
15th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Operational readiness and value engineering are advancing. 


US flag and periodic table symbol for silver
Sunshine mine, US
15th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

A silver mine in northern Idaho, in the US. 


Drilling gets under way at Kabwe mine orebody
14th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Aim- and AltX-listed Shuka Minerals has started the Phase 1 drilling programme at the No.2 orebody at its Kabwe zinc mine, in Zambia. The No.2 orebody is open at depth and the initial diamond drill... 


The Rosh Pinah Zinc mine
Rosh Pinah Zinc water treatment plant successfully commissioned
12th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Investment advisor to long-term value-focused private capital funds Appian Capital Advisory has announced the successful commissioning of a water treatment plant at Rosh Pinah Zinc (RPZ) – an... 


Northern Cape's Okiep and Prieska complexes juxtaposed.
Drilling highlights more copper mineralisation in South Africa’s Northern Cape
12th May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

A significant zone of visible copper sulphide mineralisation has been intersected down-dip of a wide zone of high-grade copper mineralisation intersected last year. The intersection has taken place... 


Image of US flag and lead, silver zinc
Bunker Hill zinc/lead/silver mine restart project, US – update
8th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Bunker Hill reported on May 4 that the restart of operations remained on track for June 2026. 


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pqt: 0.12s - ct: 1.131s - 275pq - 2rq
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