Elements for life

Zinc for a better world

Zinc exists naturally in rock, soil, air and water.  Zinc is fast becoming a critical metal whose traditional uses are increasingly diversified. Its application in low-emission technologies such as efficient, light-weight batteries holds promise for a society seeking solutions to minimize our carbon footprint.

Medical research is showing that Zinc protects human health and is important for proper functioning of the immune system and other vital functions. Zinc supplementation is proving successful in the fight against major causes of child mortality such as pneumonia and malaria.

• Red Dog is the second largest zinc mine in the world and represents 5% of global zinc mine production
• Red Dog is the largest zinc mine in the USA and represents 79% of US zinc mine production

A reliable lead supply

Lead from the mine is vital to the lead-acid battery industry. Lead-acid batteries are used primarily as starting-lighting-ignition batteries for automobiles and trucks. They are also used as industrial-type batteries for uninterruptible power-supply equipment for computer and telecommunications networks and hospitals, and for load-leveling equipment for electrical power systems.

• Red Dog is fourth largest lead producing mine in the World and represents 3% of global lead mine production
• Red Dog is the second largest lead producing mine in the USA and represents 33% of US lead mine production

Red Dog is important to our local, state, and national economies, as well as the competitiveness of the firms that use these metals for a wide variety of applications. Ensuring the mine continues to operate will also help stabilize zinc and lead prices both in the U.S. and abroad.

This is why we are actively pursuing the Aqqaluk Deposit, located adjacent to the existing Red Dog pit. By bringing Aqqaluk into production, we can ensure that Red Dog continues to provide benefits for many years to come.