MAJOR PRODUCERS OF ZINC
As mentioned above zinc has been produced in the world for quite a along time and today also the zinc ores are being mined in more than 50 countries of the world. The pattern of zinc mine production in the world is not a concentrated pattern as there are over 266 mines indulging in the extraction of zinc but only around 19 mines are able to stretch their production over 100000 tons per annum. 80% of the zinc mines fall under the category of underground mines, 8% relate to the category of open mines and the remaining are a combination of both open and close mines. The total mine production of zinc ore in the world accounts up to around 10008000 metric tons with 64% share held by the underground mines. The major countries engaged in the zinc mine production are China, Australia, Canada, Peru, United States of America, Namibia, Ireland, and Sweden.
The mine production has been in a reducing trend for quite some time now due to the fact that various mines in the world have been closed down. The fall in the world mine production has also affected the zinc concentrate production and zinc metal production adversely. The scenario is like many of the important world mines have announced their closure and many other important mines are on the verge of getting closed as the reserves are ending up. This has lead to a deficit of 455000 tons in context with the world zinc production in the world market as the world consumption figures have left the production figures behind. It is estimated that by 2011, zinc production will get reduced by almost 1.4 million and it would create a zinc gap till 2015. The metal production hovers around 10319000 metric tons. The leading countries in the zinc metal production list are:
§ China,
§ Canada,
§ Japan,
§ South Korea,
§ Spain
The Asia pacific region holds the maximum share in the world zinc production as it has the highest smelter capacity in the world. China is the world leader in both the production of the metal as well as the mine production.
Production of zinc in India
India was one the first countries that started the process of extracting and smelting zinc. Since that time, the country is producing this metal and is one of the oldest countries to do that. Though, India is not a leading player in the production zinc but it is moving in the direction to get self reliant in this context. India has approximately 4.3% share in the total zinc smelter capacity in the Asia pacific region. The largest company, which was indulged in the production of zinc, is a public sector company named Hindustan Zinc Limited. But now, ever since the company got privatized, the Indian industry is completely in the hands of the private sector. It can be said that the zinc industry in India, after privatization, is heading towards a major expansion programme.
The major zinc mines in India which were under the control of the company are
§ Rampura Agucha mine
§ Rajpura Dariba mine
§ Zawar mine
The smelting plants in India engaged in the production of zinc metal are
§ Chanderia Lead Zinc Smelter (CLZS) – Rajasthan
§ Debari Zinc Smelter (DZS) – Rajasthan
§ Vizag Zinc Smelter (VZS) – Andhra Pradesh
§ Binani Zinc Smelter – Kerala
