MINING to produce and refine in the coming years . A project is underway to mine waste rock and expand the existing open pit , extending the life of the mine until at least 2020 .
To carry out the work in an economical timeframe , Skorpion Zinc has brought in expert contractors and equipment , with up to 450 jobs being created in the process . Existing Skorpion workers are also likely to be given preference in the recruiting process .
These expansion plans look set to maximise the potential of what is widely regarded as one of the industry ’ s finest examples of zinc ore . The supergene zinc ore body is composed of alluvial accumulations of zinc carbonate and detrital silicate materials deposited within a paleochannel , making it a rare and sought after deposit . Another sought-after set of products mined at Skorpion comprise zinc oxides , namely smithsonite , hydrozincite , tarbuttite and willemite .
In terms of quality processes , Skorpion ’ s operations involve solvent extractionelectrowinning metallurgy to process and refine zinc products , the only refinery of its kind to do so .
Gamsberg Further afield , Skorpion Zinc could be joining forces with operations at a similar deposit of zinc in South Africa . The Gamsberg opencast mine is located
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