Brazilian mining company Votorantim Metais is spending $100 million to expand its Cajamarquilla zinc refinery in Lima department by 20 percent to 160,000 tpy of refined metal, commercial manager Savio Ce told MB.
The refinery currently produces 135,000 tpy of refined metal for consumption in Latin America, largely to be sold to producers of galvanized steel. The expansion is due to be completed in September and the plant will be at full production capacity in November, he said.
The expansion is part of Votorantim`s plans to boost total zinc production capacity to 700,000 tpy, which would make the company the world`s third-biggest zinc producer.
Cajarmarquilla will be expanded to an eventual 340,000 tpy within two years in a $300 million investment. Production at Tres Marias in Minas Gerais state will be expanded to 250,000 tpy from 170,000 tpy.
The expansion aims to benefit from increased zinc production in Peru - the world`s third largest producer - with output forecast to increase 6 percent over the 2.5 million tonnes of concentrates produced in 2006.
Votorantim owns 24.9 percent of Peruvian zinc miner Milpo.
Votorantim bought the Cajamarquilla refinery for $210 million from Canada`s Teck Cominco in 2004.
Publication: Metal Bulletin
Provider: Metal Bulletin com
Date: July 25, 2007
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