Non-Ferrous Metals
Our zinc and lead Ore business combine world-class assets with global marketing reach and expertise. We mine and process zinc and lead ores in the key mining regions of Zambia and South Africa.
We also source zinc and lead ores materials in Asia and Europe. Through our marketing activities, we sell zinc and lead concentrates; zinc and lead metals produced from concentrates; and valuable by-products such as sulphuric acid. We also sell gold and silver, which are typically mined together with zinc and lead ores. We market zinc and lead ores not only from our own facilities but also from third-party producers.
Uses of zinc and lead
ZINC
Zinc is mainly used to galvanize steel or iron – that is, to apply a zinc coating to stop it from rusting. Galvanized steel is used in buildings, cars, white goods, and electronics.
The strength and flexibility of zinc alloys mean they are widely used to create die casts for industrial uses – for example, in the production of car or machine parts. Zinc is also used to make brass and bronze.
Zinc oxide is mainly used in the production of rubber, while zinc sulfide has used such as X-ray screens, optics, and as a pigment.
Lead Ore
Lead ore has a wide range of industrial uses including batteries, undersea cables, weights, solders, and radiation protection.
Zinc and lead ore assets
Our combination of mines and smelters means we can produce, process, and market zinc and lead ores across the world with exclusive rights with one of the leading Zambian integrated Zinc producers. And for Lead ores, we mine from South Africa.