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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 of the Prieska project
Prieska Copper Zinc Mine, South Africa – update
23rd October 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Orion Minerals announced on October 19, 2026, that the $40-million Tranche A financing from Glencore for construction and startup of the Upper-Level (Uppers) had become unconditional. 


Vedanta Zinc International
Gamsberg Phase II expansion project, South Africa – update
23rd October 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The Phase II expansion was officially opened on October 16, 2026. 


Grupo Mexico's Buenavista del Cobre mine
Mining giant Grupo Mexico reports higher profit on price boost, trims copper guidance
21st October 2026 By: Reuters

Mining and transportation conglomerate Grupo Mexico said higher metal prices helped its third-quarter net profit rise by more than half from a year earlier, even as copper production slightly... 


Hindustan Zinc's Debari smelter
India's Hindustan Zinc records two-fold profit jump, cuts annual production cost forecast
20th October 2026 By: Reuters

The world's largest integrated zinc producer Hindustan Zinc posted a more than two-fold jump in quarterly profit on Monday, helped by higher metal prices, while cutting its annual zinc production... 


From left: VZI CEO Vijay Kumar; Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul; Vedanta Aluminium Metal vice-chairperson Akarsh Hebbar; President Cyril Ramaphosa; and Vedanta nonexecutive director Priya Agarwal Hebbar; and Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
Gamsberg Phase II expansion doubles zinc ore capacity
19th October 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

The R10-billion Gamsberg Phase II expansion of Vedanta Zinc International (VZI), the Southern African zinc business of Vedanta Limited, was officially opened by President Cyril Ramaphosa on October... 


Zinc
ILZSG sees global zinc, lead markets in surplus in 2027
19th October 2026 By: Reuters

The global refined zinc market is expected to swing to a surplus of 25 000 metric tons in 2027 from a deficit of 88 000 tons this year, while the refined lead market surplus will widen to 163 000... 


South Africa's large Hillside Aluminium in Richards Bay.
South African aluminium assets' sale to Alcoa on track, South32 reports
19th October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The sale of South Africa’s aluminium value chain assets to Alcoa Corporation of the US remains on track for completion in the June 2027 half-year, Johannesburg-, Sydney- and London-listed South32... 


Cygnus’ Chibougamau copper/gold project
Cygnus shares to stop trading imminently on TSX-V and ASX as Central Asia merger concludes
14th October 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V and ASX-listed Cygnus Metals has garnered regulatory approval in Kazakhstan for its proposed merger with Aim-listed Central Asia Metals. Cygnus, which is being acquired by Central Asia in an... 


Image of heavy mining truck
Horne 5 project, Canada – update
9th October 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Falco Resources announced the results of KPMG’s socioeconomic-impact study on September 29, 2026. 


Rock drillers working in the Kipushi underground mine
Ivanhoe's Congo copper production jumps 19% in third quarter
8th October 2026 By: Reuters

Ivanhoe Mines reported third-quarter copper production at the Kamoa-Kakula mine in Democratic Republic of Congo rose 19% from the previous quarter, helped by higher mining rates across the complex,... 


Zinc smelting
China turns on the export taps as LME zinc squeeze grinds on
6th October 2026 By: Reuters

China has historically been a significant net importer of refined zinc, but that looks set to change this year. Exports surged to 40 668 tons in August, the second-highest monthly tally in almost... 


Location map of the La Plata project
La Plata gold/copper project, Ecuador – update
2nd October 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Atico Mining Corporation announced a $95-million secured project finance facility with Trafigura and a convertible debenture agreement with a Trafigura affiliate on September 29, 2026.  


Budel zinc smelter
Nyrstar launches strategic review of Dutch zinc smelting operations
25th September 2026 By: Reuters

Nyrstar, owned by commodities group Trafigura, has launched a strategic review of its loss-making Budel zinc smelting operations in the Netherlands owing to rising energy costs and government... 


Butte mining district in Montana
Montana-focused miner Silver Bow secures funding, offtake from Ocean Partners
23rd September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

NYSE-listed Silver Bow Mining Corporation has signed a term sheet with Ocean Partners UK for an integrated funding, credit support and offtake package all valued at $88-million. The funding package... 


Drill core sample (copper)
Tertiary Minerals advances exploration at base metals prospect in Zambia
18th September 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Aim-listed mineral exploration and development company Tertiary Minerals has outlined a higher-grade, shallow silver/copper/zinc mineralised zone at its Target A1 prospect at the Mushima North... 


Image of US flag and periodic table symbol for lead/zinc and silver
Bunker Hill zinc/lead/silver mine, US
18th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

A zinc/lead mine in Kellogg, in the Coeur d'Alene mining district of Idaho's Silver Valley, Shoshone County, northern Idaho, in the US. 


Image of Türkiye map/flag
Gediktepe mine, Türkiye
18th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

A copper/zinc mine in Balıkesir Province, western Türkiye.  


Copper development in South Africa's Northern Cape.
Orion sharpens governance ahead of taking on copper producer status
17th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Base metals company Orion Minerals, which on Thursday, September 17 described itself as being on the way to becoming South Africa’s next significant copper producer, has taken firm steps to sharpen... 


Gediktepe mine
ACG finds higher value for Gediktepe project in updated competent person's report
17th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

London-listed ACG Metals has reported a higher total asset after-tax net present value (NPV) of $1.2-billion for the Gediktepe project, in Türkiye, following an updated competent person's report.... 


An image of Mushima North drill core samples
Tertiary announces positive analytical results from Zambia project
15th September 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Aim-listed Tertiary Minerals has announced additional laboratory analytical results from the recent Phase 4 drill programme at the Discovery zone in Target A1 at the Mushima North project, in... 


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pqt: 0.128s - ct: 0.179s - 275pq - 2rq
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