Name of the Project
Gamsberg zinc smelter-refinery complex.

Location
Outside Aggeneys, Northern Cape, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Black Mountain Mining (BMM), a subsidiary of Vedanta Zinc International (VZI) a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources.

Project Description
VZI is proposing the development and construction of a zinc smelter-refinery complex to process concentrates from its Gamsberg project at BMM.

A draft scoping study has proposed the construction of a new zinc smelter and associated infrastructure to produce 300 000 t/y of special high-grade zinc metal by processing 680 000 t/y of zinc concentrate.

About 450 000 t/y of pure sulphuric acid will be produced as a by-product and could be exported or used for local consumption.

The smelter is expected to have a 15-year life.

Some of the additional infrastructure required for the smelter project will be a 21 ha secured landfill facility, a 7-km-long water pipeline, upgrades to the transmission line within the existing servitude and an accommodation camp for staff during the construction period.

Potential Job Creation
The project is expected to have a significant positive impact on the Northern Cape, creating jobs – directly and indirectly – and further developmental opportunities in the region.

All-in Sustaining Costs/All-in Costs
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
The Gamsberg refinery could result in a further investment by Vedanta of between $700-million and $800-million.

Planned Start/End Date
The project has an estimated 36-month construction and commissioning period.

Latest Developments
Environmental consultants SLR Consulting has published a draft scoping report for public comment on a proposed zinc smelter to be built at BMM's Gamsberg zinc project.

SLR Consulting said that BMM could avoid affecting key sensitive areas around the project by implementing careful planning and placement of infrastructure.

The draft scoping report highlights the likely impacts that the zinc smelter project could have on biodiversity, soil, groundwater, surface water, air quality, noise levels, existing roads and traffic, as well as the positive socioeconomic impacts it would have.

The public review period will end on February 28.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
R&A Strategic Communications, Charmane Russell or Marika Muller on behalf of VZI, tel +27 11 880 3924 or email charmane@rasc.co.za or marika@rasc.co.za.