Overview
| Stage | Production |
| Mine Type | Underground |
| Commodities |
|
| Mining Method |
|
| Processing |
- Filter press plant
- Dewatering
- Flotation
- Dense media separation
|
East Tennessee consists of a processing plant and three underground zinc mines: Young, Coy and Immel. Ore from the three mines is processed into zinc concentrate at the Young mine site.
In July 2019, Nyrstar’s operating business became majority owned by Trafigura. Production numbers have not been publicly available since then.
As an immediate response to fatalities incident, the East Tennessee mine ceased work in all mines with high backs of 35 foot or higher and a new mining method is currently being implemented. Production levels are expected to ramp up to normal levels during FY2022. |
| Latest News | Trafigura publishes 2021 annual results showing a record performance with the company well positioned for future growth December 8, 2021 |
Source:
Trafigura Group Pte Ltd. (“Trafigura”), a market leader in the global commodities industry, has today become the majority owner of the operating business of Nyrstar, a global multi-metals business.
Summary:
East Tennessee Mines are comprised of three operating mines: Coy, Immel and Young, located approximately 30 kilometres north-east of Knoxville, Tennessee. Zinc mineralisation occurs in Mississippi Valley Type (‘MVT’) deposits as open-space fillings of breccias and fractures within limestones and dolomites.
Processing
- Filter press plant
- Dewatering
- Flotation
- Dense media separation
Flow Sheet:
Summary:
Ore from the three mines is processed into zinc concentrate at the Young mine site. The East Tennessee zinc mine complex has a close association with Nyrstar’s Clarksville smelter.
The main operations associated with the process plant are:
Primary Crushing
Secondary Crushing
Heavy Media Separator
Rod/Ball Mill
Flotation
Thickener/Filter
Tailings.
Recoveries & Grades:
| Commodity | Parameter | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|
Zinc
|
Recovery Rate, %
| 94.7 | 95.1 | 94.3 | 91 | 92 |
|
Zinc
|
Head Grade, %
| 3.6 | 3.48 | 3.61 | 3.57 | 3.53 |
Production:
| Commodity | Product | Units | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
|
Zinc
|
Metal in concentrate
|
kt
| 76 | 66 | 62 | 64 | 63 | 71 |
|
Zinc
|
Concentrate
|
kt
| 123 | 107 | 101 | 104 | 101 | 113 |
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Operational Metrics:
| Metrics | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
|
Tonnes milled
| 2,237 kt of ore | 2,003 kt of ore | 1,829 kt of ore | 1,985 kt of ore | 1,955 kt of ore | 2,019 kt of ore |
Reserves at December 31, 2018:
A cut-off grade of 2.5% Zn at Coy, 2.5% Zn at Immel and 1.9% Zn at Young, has been applied in the estimation of Mineral Resources.
| Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade |
|
Proven
|
0.34 Mt
|
Zinc
|
3.3 %
|
|
Probable
|
5.27 Mt
|
Zinc
|
4.4 %
|
|
Proven & Probable
|
5.61 Mt
|
Zinc
|
4.4 %
|
|
Measured
|
0.45 Mt
|
Zinc
|
3.5 %
|
|
Indicated
|
7.04 Mt
|
Zinc
|
4.4 %
|
|
Measured & Indicated
|
7.49 Mt
|
Zinc
|
4.3 %
|
|
Inferred
|
24.41 Mt
|
Zinc
|
3.7 %
|
Operating Costs:
| | Units | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|
Direct operating costs ($/t milled)
|
USD
| 38 | 40 | 38 | 42 |
Corporate Filings & Presentations:
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News:
Aerial view:
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