Vedanta Limited’s Zinc (India) mined metal production for Q3 FY21 was 244,000 tonnes, up 4% as compared to Q3 FY20 on account of higher ore production partially offset by slightly lower overall metal grades. In comparison to Q2 FY21, it increased by 2%, driven by higher ore production. Integrated metal production was 235,000 tonnes for Q3 FY21, up 7% as compared to Q3 FY20 in line with higher mined metal and down 1% as compared to Q2 FY21 on account of lower concentrate treatment. Integrated zinc production was 182,000 tonnes, up 2% as compared to Q3 FY20 and 1% as compared to Q2 FY21, while integrated lead production was 52,000 tonnes for Q3 FY21, up 28% as compared to Q3 FY20 on account of dedicated PyroLead Smelter operation and down 7% as compared to Q2 FY21.

Mined metal production for nine months ended FY2021 was 6,84,000 tonnes as compared to 6,68,000 tonnes during same period in FY2020. The production was higher by 2% y-o-y in line with higher ore production offset by a slightly lower metal grade. Integrated metal production was 6,74,000 tonnes, 4% higher from previous year’s nine-month production of 6,49,000 tonnes, in line with mined metal availability. Integrated Zinc production was 5,20,000 tonnes, compared to 5,16,000 tonnes during nine months ended FY20.

Zinc (International)’s Total production for Q3 FY21 was 59,000 tonnes, lower by 2% as compared to Q3 FY20 mainly due to Skorpion going under care and maintenance from April 2020 in lieu of multiple slope failures offset by higher Gamsberg production due to ramp up. Q3 FY21 production is higher by 16% as compared to Q2 FY21 due to significant ramp up of Gamsberg operations through improved throughput and recoveries. Skorpion production was nil in Q2 FY21 and Q3 FY21 as compared to 11,000 tonnes in Q3 FY20. Due to multiple slope failures and geotechnical instabilities in FY20 which sterilized significant portion of the open pit, the mine was put under care and maintenance from April 2020. Geotechnical modelling and studies continue to look at feasible ways to make the pit safe for mining operations which allows for the extraction of the remainder of the accessible ore.

BMM produced 16,000 tonnes in Q3 FY21 as compared to 18,000 tonnes in Q3 FY20, down 13% y-o-y, due to lower throughput (3,63,000 in Q3 FY21 vs 3,87,000 in Q3 FY20) coupled with lower lead grades. BMM Q3 FY21 production was in line with Q2 FY21. Significant production improvement initiatives like old ore recovery, increasing blending efficiency have been undertaken to achieve Q4 production targets. Gamsberg’s production was 43,000 tonnnes in Q3 FY21, 39% higher as compared to Q3 FY20 and 23% higher as compared to Q2 FY21 due to higher throughput resulting from consistent plant availabilities (91%) and improved recoveries.

Gamsberg achieved its highest ever production of 17,000 tonnes in October 2020 with several other best demonstrated performances on other plant parameters in Q3 FY21.

During nine month ended FY 2021, total production was 1,47,000 tonnes, lower by 20% as compared to nine month ended FY 2020 mainly on account of Skorpion being under care and maintenance and COVID 19 related impact at BMM and Gamsberg offset partially by significant ramp up of production from Gamsberg. Focus remains on further improving the Gamsberg recoveries to achieve design production in Q4 FY21.

Zinc Market Records Surplus in January to September 2020

Strategic Research Institute

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