Global zinc mine production is projected to increase by 25pc by 2026, according to Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER). The government body has pegged zinc mine production to increase 25pc to 15mn mt, which is approximately 4pc growth per year until 2026.
In 2020, zinc mine output was estimated at 12mn mt. However, output last year fell by 5.9pc from the year prior. Production in China fell by 3.7pc and output reported by the rest of the world declined by 6.9pc. Production in Bolivia fell 3pc, however production from Peru zinc mines was up 15pc and Australis rose 1.1pc.
Diser projects a jump in zinc output explaining the rationale behind continued investments in commissioning mines and ramping-up production.
Higher zinc prices in the recent years have led to mine expansions. Asia, Africa, Canada and Australia are slated to increase share in global zinc production until 2026 while Chinese and remaining parts of Americas is expected to relatively dip in the outlook period, noted Diser.
Dairi project in Indonesia will come online by 2022 with resource grade of 11.5pc zinc which makes it one of the world’s highest grade underdeveloped resources. Kipushi project in Democratic Republic of Congo is also due high grade zinc production with the same time as Dairi project.
Diser has presented their outlook for copper and nickel too in the previous weeks.