Trail Operations is an integrated zinc refining and lead smelting operation that produces zinc, lead, silver. It also produces a variety of precious and specialty metals, chemicals and fertilizer products.

The zinc refinery consists of six major metallurgical plants, one fertilizer plant and two specialty metal plants. Depending on the mix of feeds, the facility has an annual capacity of approximately 300,000 to 310,000 tonnes of refined zinc. Zinc concentrates are initially treated in either roasters or pressure leach plants where sulphur is separated from the metal-bearing solids. The zinc is put into solution where it is first purified to remove other metal impurities and then electroplated onto cathodes in an electrolytic refining plant. The zinc cathodes are melted and then the zinc is cast into various shapes, grades and alloys to meet customer requirements. Other valuable metals, including indium and germanium, are also recovered as coproducts in the zinc plant. The lead smelting operation consists of two major metallurgical plants and one specialty metal plant. Lead concentrates, recycled lead acid batteries, residues from the zinc circuits and various other lead- and silver bearing materials are treated in the KIVCET flash furnace to produce lead bullion. The bullion is electro-refined in the refinery to produce high purity lead. The valuable silver and gold are also recovered in this circuit after further processing. Shutdown of the KIVCET furnace for regular maintenance is scheduled to occur approximately every four years, with the next shutdown scheduled for the third quarter of 2018.