Australia Zinc Exports Up 20% At A$2.2B In 2010, Flat In 2011 -Abare

SYDNEY, Sept. 21 -- Australia's zinc export earnings rose 20% to A$2.2 billion in 2010 and will remain steady over the coming year as higher volumes are offset by lower prices, according to government figures released Tuesday.

The Australian Bureau for Agricultural and Resource Economics, a government statistical agency said zinc production fell 3% to 1.36 million tons over the past year but will rise 4% to 1.4 million tons by June 2011, thanks largely to Minerals and Metals Group's Century Mine returning to full production.

Exports of zinc concentrates rose 8% to 2.3 million tons over the past year and will further increase 5% to 2.4 million tons in 2011, while exports of refined zinc fell 6% to 426,000 tons over the year and will climb back 3% to 437,000 tons in 2011.