Skorpion Zinc – World-Class Zinc “Our ambition is to be the leading global zinc producer and to be a partner and employer of choice, delivering operational excellence in a safe and responsible way.”
Skorpion Zinc Mine and Refinery is a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources plc (Vedanta). Vedanta is a London listed FTSE100 diversified global resources major. The group produces Aluminium, Copper, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Iron Ore, Power and Oil and Gas. Skorpion Zinc is the largest integrated zinc producer in Africa producing Special High Grade (SHG) zinc and has since November 2010 been owned and operated by Vedanta Resources. The company employs state-of-the-art technologies with the skills of a highly motivated workforce. Skorpion Zinc is located in the south of Namibia about 25km north of Rosh Pinah town. It is a world-class mining and refinery operation producing 150 ktpa of SHG Zinc, which is shipped to world-wide markets through the southern port of Lüderitz. Skorpion Zinc is comprised of two companies: Skorpion Mining Company (Exploration and Mining) and Namzinc Refinery. The Namzinc Refinery currently treats the zinc oxide ore from Skorpion Mine to produce the final zinc metal and it is the only zinc refinery of its kind in Africa and therefore a gem in Namibia’s crown when it comes to adding value to raw materials. One hundred percent (100%) beneficiation to the final metal from ore is done in Namibia. Skorpion Zinc’s product is known for its high
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quality and is branded as SZ SHG on the London Metal Exchange. Zinc is a versatile metal used for galvanising, high-tech products, manufacturing alloys and health products. A unique feature of zinc is that it can be recycled many times. Mining and Refining Open-cast mining and hydrometallurgical systems are used to mine and refine zinc oxide to produce Special High Grade Zinc (SHG). The mine life of the present deposit extends to 2017. An interesting aspect of the Skorpion Zinc ore deposit is that, early on, an unknown mineral was found which had tiny colourless needle-like crystals of monoclinic symmetry. Micro-chemical tests showed calcium, zinc, phosphate and carbonate as major components – indicating the presence of a completely new mineral. Subsequent single-crystal X-ray studies and microprobe analyses confirmed this to be a new species. The new mineral was named Skorpionite. Skorpionite occurs as a fine crystal growth in the ore, growing mainly on Tarbuttite. The Refinery operation employs a worldclass technology that treats zinc oxide ore to final metal. The 100% beneficiation from ore
to final metal is done at Skorpion Zinc Mine and Refinery. The zinc refinery is unique since it uses leaching, solvent extraction and electro-winning technology to process a zinc oxide ore directly from the Skorpion pit mine. Skorpion Zinc is looking at converting the current refinery to enable it to treat zinc sulphide raw materials in addition to the current zinc oxide ore. Once the Refinery has been converted, it has the potential to process material not only from the current mine but also from other sources both within and outside Namibia which will create major foreign exchange earnings. The success of the Refinery conversion project is of strategic importance not only for the future of Skorpion, but also to the entire Namibia in terms of larger value addition opportunity, which includes socio-economic development and job creation and preservation. Environment Skorpion Zinc Mine and Refinery is located in the succulent Karoo Biome, one of the most ecologically sensitive areas in the world and one that needs to be protected and conserved. Skorpion strives for environmental excellence with a