Dutch polymetallic company Nyrstar, owned by international trading group Trafigura, announced that it will suspend operations at two zinc mines in the United States indefinitely as of 30 November.
The company cites unfavourable market conditions as the reason for the closure of these capacities. Since the beginning of this year, zinc prices on the London Metal Exchange have decreased by more than 15 per cent, while the costs of Nyrstar's US division have increased due to inflation.
This division, called Middle Tennessee Mines, includes the Gordonsville and Cumberland mines. The company does not report their productivity, but the processing plant located in the same region can process up to 3 million tonnes of ore per year and produce up to 50 thousand tonnes of zinc concentrate.
Nyrstar says exploratory drilling will be carried out during the closure to find new zinc, germanium and gallium deposits.
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