Zijin Zinc Smelting Project Updates

SHANGHAI Dec. 7 (CBI China)--Work on Inner Mongolia's Bayannaoer Zijin Non-ferrous Metal Company's 100kt p.a. zinc smelting unit is under way.  The project is expected to come into service by late 2008, raising the company's total zinc smelting capacity to 200kt p.a.

    Many major domestic zinc smelters have capacity expansion projects in 2008 – 2009 due to the Lead and Zinc Industry Entry Requirements unveiled in March 2007.  According to the requirements, capacity of any new or upgraded zinc smelting unit should be greater than 100kt p.a., and as a result, many smelters with capacity less than 50kt p.a. plan to expand.  Meanwhile, large and medium-sized smelters intend to expand capacity in order to increase their competitiveness.