Mitsui Mining’s 2nd Zinc Mine Starts Operation in Peru

Mitsui Mining & Smelting announced on Thursday the firm started zinc ore mining and zinc concentrate production at Palca mine in Peru where the firm has developed. The firm plans to produce zinc concentrate at 31,400 tonnes per year at the mine and to export the all concentrate for Japan, which represents around 16,000 tonnes in zinc ingot. The firm uses existing screener and other facilities at Huanzala mine, which is 40 kilometers south of Palca mine.The firm has operated Huanzala mine in Peru since 1968. Compania Minera Santa Luisa, in which Mitsui Mining & Smelting has 70% share, produces zinc concentrate at around 57,000 tonnes per year at Huanzala. Palca is the second zinc mine in Peru operated commercially by Mitsui Mining & Smelting. The firm started the mineral exploration in 1995 and developed Palca mine with about 3.8 billion yen of investment.Zinc concentrate supply keeps short for zinc smelting worldwide. With the new mine, Mitsui Mining & Smelting can secure stable sources of raw materials for the zinc smelting importing 88,400 tonnes of zinc concentrate per year from Huanzala and Palca mines.