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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


Aerial view over Kipushi’s 960,000-tonnes-per-annum concentrator, with the run-of-mine stockpiles of ultra-high-grade zinc ore in the foreground
Kipushi zinc/copper/lead/germanium mine, Democratic Republic of Congo – update
7th August 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Construction of the expanded tailings storage facility was completed during the quarter ended June 30, 2026. 


An image of the A25 bale-out furnace
Furnace’s melting performance boosts metalworking processes
7th August 2026

Bale-out furnaces are essential in foundries and metalworking industries, such as automotive, electronics and jewellery, owing to their high efficiency, precise temperature control and robust... 


Fresnillo’s interim revenue up 74.7% y/y on higher gold, silver prices
Fresnillo’s interim revenue up 74.7% y/y on higher gold, silver prices
4th August 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Mexico-focused precious metals miner Fresnillo has reported a 74.7% year-on-year increase in revenue to $3.38-billion for the six months ended June 30, mainly owing to higher silver and gold prices... 


Stacks of zinc metal
Trafigura holding large amount of LME zinc as prices hit four-year high
3rd August 2026 By: Reuters

Commodity trading house Trafigura is one of the entities holding a large share of available zinc on the London Metal Exchange, two industry sources said, as prices of the metal used to galvanise... 


An underground mine in Mexico
Mexico mining industry sees investment jump in 2026 as firms expand projects, buy equipment
3rd August 2026 By: Reuters

Mexico's mining industry expects investment to rebound sharply in 2026, driven by spending on mine expansions, maintenance and equipment purchases, industry group Camimex said on Monday. The... 


Ore sorting and crushing at the Bunker Hill mine
Bunker Hill Mining ships first concentrate to Teck's Trail smelter
3rd August 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

US-based Bunker Hill Mining Corp has shipped the first concentrate from its Bunker Hill zinc/lead/silver mine, in Idaho, in the US, to Teck Resources' Trail smelter, in British Columbia, in... 


Orion Minerals MD and CEO Tony Lennox
Orion Minerals expects first tranche of Glencore prepayment facility to be available end-Aug
31st July 2026 By: Chanel de Bruyn

Johannesburg- and Australia-listed Orion Minerals says substantive progress has been made towards satisfying the outstanding conditions precedent related to financing and offtake agreements entered... 


Gamsberg ore handling system
VZI one-million-tonne-a-year zinc metal-in-concentrate project, South Africa
31st July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The project aims to increase production from Vedanta Zinc International’s Southern Africa zinc operations to one-million tonnes a year of zinc metal-in-concentrate.  


Location map of the Whim Creek
Whim Creek copper/lead project, Australia – update
31st July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Anax Metals has started front-end engineering design to support a final investment decision in the fourth quarter of 2026. 


Image of zinc ingots
Gamsberg North and Kloof underground mining project, South Africa
31st July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Black Mountain Mining, a subsidiary of Vedanta Zinc International, plans to develop two underground mining operations targeting the Gamsberg North and Kloof orebodies, in the Northern Cape. 


Ivanhoe Mines co-chairperson Robert Friedland
Ivanhoe reports quarterly profit as Kamoa-Kakula recovery gains momentum
30th July 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

TSX-listed Ivanhoe Mines has returned to profitability in the second quarter, reporting a net profit of $46-million, as operations at its flagship Kamoa-Kakula copper complex in the Democratic... 


Arun Misra
Indian miner Vedanta names Arun Misra as CEO, Q1 profit jumps
30th July 2026 By: Reuters

Indian metals-to-oil conglomerate Vedanta on Thursday named Arun Misra as its CEO for a one-year term starting August 1, while also reporting a 72% jump in first-quarter profit. Misra currently... 


An image of Glencore copper
Glencore reports strong first-half copper production
29th July 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Diversified miner Glencore reported a strong production performance for the first six months of this year, with its key assets largely performing in line with expectations and previously... 


Teck Resources' Highland Valley mine
Teck repeats $0.125 quarterly dividend for Q2
24th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Having announced a stellar set of production and financial results for the second quarter, TSX- and NYSE-listed Teck Resources has declared a dividend of $0.125 apiece on its outstanding Class A... 


Image of zinc ingots
Swartberg openpit mining project, South Africa
24th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The project proposes to increase mining capacity from 500 000 t/y to one-million tonnes a year at the Swartberg mining project. 


Teck Resources' QB mine in Chile
Teck boasts 314% attributable profit growth in Q2
23rd July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Canadian miner Teck Resources managed to deliver another quarter of strong operational and financial performance in the three months ended June 30, generating significant earnings and robust cash... 


Boliden's Garpenberg mine, in Sweden
Boliden lags Q2 forecasts as mine disruption, smelter ramp-up delay weigh
21st July 2026 By: Reuters

Swedish miner Boliden reported a weaker-than-expected quarterly adjusted operating profit, sending its shares 3% lower on Tuesday, hit by higher costs, disruption at its Garpenberg mine (Sweden)... 


Zinc metal
Zinc expected to retreat in 2026 as weak demand offsets supply fears
20th July 2026 By: Reuters

Zinc prices are expected to retreat from recent highs over the rest of the year as lacklustre demand offsets supply disruptions, analysts say. The metal used to galvanise steel is up more than 13%... 


Scotia mine
EDM Resources' updated mine plan garners Novia Scotia 'Industrial Approval'
20th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed EDM Resources has been granted Industrial Approval by the Novia Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change on its updated mine plan and processing facility. The company, which... 


South32 delivers strong operating results, accelerates portfolio transition
South32 delivers strong operating results, accelerates portfolio transition
20th July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

In its latest quarterly report, diversified miner South32 CEO Matt Daley says the group continued to deliver strong operating results, exceeding group production guidance for the financial year... 


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pqt: 0.13s - ct: 0.181s - 275pq - 2rq
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