IZA calls for a new zinc refinery to be built in South Africa
“The fact that there is no zinc refinery in South Africa when in 2003 we consumed 145 000 metric tons of refined zinc, not to mention that all our zinc concentrate goes to other countries to be refined and then sold back to us, is patently ludicrous,” highlights Norton. The local uptake of refined zinc has plummeted from 86 000 t in 2015 to 47 000 t last year.
While South Africa has 20% of the world’s zinc deposits, it no longer refines any zinc following Exxaro closing the Zincor refinery in Springs at the end of 2011. Up to then South Africa produced 110 000 t/y of refined zinc valued at R4.3 billion. From 2014 to 2019, it instead imported R15 billion worth of refined zinc. In 2020 alone, South Africa imported 47 000 tons of refined zinc, excluding zinc rod and bar, etc.
The IZA Africa Desk has even developed an action plan for the proposed new zinc refinery to assist in offsetting costly import costs, pointing out that the Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone is the ideal site. “This location is best because it is on the Sishen-Saldanha Bay rail link and has a port, with good infrastructure support from the Western Cape,” explains Norton.
Such a ‘mini’ zinc refinery could produce about 40 000 t of refined zinc a year, which can be ramped up to 60 000 t a year if need be. The refinery is anticipated to be based on an efficient, low-cost zinc refining process, which is expected to enter research phase this year. The new process is capable of running on minimal external power input, with a target of 50 % less power usage than any currently known method of zinc refining.
The proposal prepared by the IZA Africa Desk investigates the feasibility of a small-scale (± 40 ktpa) zinc refinery designed to meet local demand by using locally-produced ores and concentrates specifically from Vedanta’s Gamsberg and/or Orion Prieska operations.
Ends
Connect with the International Zinc Association on Social Media to receive its latest news
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3uNP5w7
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3uNSAmb
Notes to the Editor
To download hi-res images for this release, please visit http://media.ngage.co.za and click the International Zinc Association link to view the company’s press office.
About the International Zinc Association
The IZA is the only global industry association dedicated exclusively to the interests of zinc and its users. Operating internationally and locally through its regional affiliates, the IZA helps sustain the long-term global demand for zinc and its markets by promoting such key end uses as corrosion protection for steel and zinc as being essential in human health and crop nutrition. IZA’s main programmes are Sustainability & Environment, Technology & Market Development and Communications.
In South Africa, the IZA plays a vital role in establishing the basis for the successful revitalisation of the zinc industry by increasing awareness of zinc and its applications and benefits in key sectors and markets, which will ultimately translate into the increased uptake of zinc.
International Zinc Association Contact
Simon Norton
IZA Africa Desk
Phone: (021) 788 9980
Cell: 082 831 2924
Email: zinc [at] iafrica [dot] com
Web: www.zinc.org
Media Contact
Rachel Mekgwe
Account Executive
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: (011) 867-7763
Fax: 086 512 3352
Cell: 074 212 1422
Email: rachel [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.ngage.co.za
Browse the NGAGE Media Zone for more client press releases and photographs at http://media.ngage.co.za