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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


Tartana Minerals exploration area in Australia
Australian explorer Tartana launches widescale company review after failed exploration execution
4th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Tartana Minerals has launched a wide-ranging corporate and strategic review covering operations, financial position, corporate governance and its tenement portfolio, following an... 


Image of silver ore
Vareš silver project, Bosnia and Herzegovina – update
4th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

DPM Metals announced on August 17, 2026, that Vareš had achieved commercial production on August 10. 


Zinc
LME zinc squeeze signals deepening supply risks for the West, Reuters says
3rd September 2026 By: Reuters

Another year of mine underperformance, record-low smelter treatment terms and a scramble for metal on the London Metal Exchange (LME). If you're thinking this is a description of the copper market,... 


ACG Metals' Gediktepe mine in Türkiye
ACG produces first copper concentrate from Gediktepe operation in Türkiye
1st September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

London-listed ACG Metals has achieved first copper concentrate production at the Gediktepe operation, in Türkiye. The company confirms that the plant's commissioning is progressing as planned,... 


An image of gold bars
Horne 5 project, Canada
28th August 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Falco Resources confirms a technically and economically viable 15-year underground operation, with materially improved project economics reflecting updated metal-price assumptions, and capital and... 


An image of the Hillside smelter
Base metals underpin South32’s strong full-year performance
27th August 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Australia-headquartered diversified miner South32’s group underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) increased by 28% year-on-year to $2.5-billion for the... 


South32's Hermosa base metals mine in Arizona
Australia's South32 annual profit jumps 55%, extends shareholder-returns programme
27th August 2026 By: Reuters

Australia's South32 on Thursday posted a 55% rise in annual profit, largely in line with market expectations, and extended its shareholder-returns programme, sending its shares to a more than... 


Astec completes delivery, commissioning of advanced ship loading system at Lüderitz port
Astec completes delivery, commissioning of advanced ship loading system at Lüderitz port
25th August 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Multinational original equipment manufacturer group Astec Industries has successfully completed the delivery, assembly and commissioning of a new bulk materials handling and ship loading system at... 


The Gamsberg project
Aveng returns to operating profit, appoints new CEO as focus remains on restoring fundamentals
24th August 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

JSE-listed Aveng has reported revenue of A$2.3-billion, or R26.4-billion, for the year ended June 30, which was 12.4% lower than the prior year, reflecting the anticipated softening of... 


Zinc ingots
Zinc hits four-year peak on supply fears and speculators
21st August 2026 By: Reuters

Prices of zinc in London hit their highest in more than four years on Friday as the accumulation of stocks in China, the world's biggest metals consumer, drove concerns about shortages elsewhere,... 


An image of copper
BMI expects metals complex performance to remain strong
14th August 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The metals complex has remained well-supported so far this month, extending the upward momentum from late June, BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, points out. It explains that this is underpinned by a... 


Exxaro Resources CEO Ben Magara
Exxaro advises of lower headline earnings for first-half period
14th August 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

JSE-listed Exxaro Resources expects its headline earnings per share (HEPS) for the six-month period ended June 30 to decrease by between 18% and 23% compared with the HEPS for the first six months... 


Empire State Mine site
Canadian zinc miner posts markable earnings gains supported by zinc prices
13th August 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX- and NYSE-listed Titan Mining Corporation has reported a record performance in the quarter ended June 30, with adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda)... 


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... 


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pqt: 0.12s - ct: 0.168s - 277pq - 2rq
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