South32’s zinc, lead production to rise in 2020

Australia’s South32 projects 14pc growth of payable zinc production and 3pc growth of payable lead production in 2020. In the first half of fiscal year 2020 (H12020: July to Dec 2019), South32 reported production growth for lead, zinc, alumina, aluminium and silver.

From July to December, South32 produced 2,635kt (mt) alumina, up by 4pc from the prior year, driven by a higher output at its Brazil Alumina operations, coupled with higher rates of calciner availability at the Worsley Alumina. Payable zinc production was up 24pc at 32.5kt, followed by payable lead production at 55.3kt, up 14pc from the prior year period. 

South32 produced 28.8kt payable lead production in the December quarter, up 9pc compares to prior year, however, the production was down by 23pc compared to the December quarter of the prior year. Alumina production was at 1,327kt in the December quarter, up by a percent from the prior year.

Site-wise production forecast for 2020