Record annual zinc recovery
The Zinc Lead Concentrator at Mount Isa Mines has achieved a notable increase in zinc extraction from the ore it processes, reaching a record annual zinc recovery rate of 86.4% in 2023. This equates to around 1,200t of additional Zinc metal produced.
This accomplishment can be attributed to several factors:
- Established processes, such as Mine-Mill-Smelter planning and collaboration with the Mining/Geology teams.
- Maximisation of operational discipline programs like CCC (Concern-Containment-Countermeasure).
- Implementation of low-cost improvement initiatives, such as extending the Zinc cleaner to increase residence time.
As a result of these efforts, there has been a 0.4% improvement in recovery compared to the previous record of 86.0% in 2021.
Clint Savage, Manager of the Zinc Lead Concentrator, emphasises that these achievements reflect the collective dedication to maximising the value extracted from the resource.
"Everyone has a role to play in the optimisation of the concentrator, whether it be early escalation of maintenance/operational issues or through application of technical knowledge to modify the configuration of our flowsheet," Clint stated.
The Zinc Lead Concentrator treats ore from our mines to produce both zinc and lead concentrates.
Mount Isa Mines uses a series of processes to concentrate the mineral into a product that can be fed into the smelters.
The ore is ground into a fine particle slurry using SAG and ball mills.
The concentrating process is designed to extract the valuable mineral from the waste rock of the zinc-lead ore mined.
Once ore is ground to a fine slurry, the ore is further diluted with water and reagents added in our zinc-lead concentrator’s flotation circuit.
Zinc is the world’s fourth most widely consumed base metal, used in established industrial sectors such as construction and automobiles to new markets like clean energy. The bluish-silver metal is regaining investor attention driven by the bright outlook of global demand thanks to its potential to become a critical green metal in a low-carbon economy.
Glencore is the world’s largest zinc producer. The company owns several zinc mines worldwide, including Mount Isa Mines, McArthur River Mine in Northern Territory, Australia, and the Antamina Mine in Ancash, Peru.