Fact Sheet-Balen
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Balen/Overpelt Smelter Belgium OVERVIEW Fast Facts The Balen smelter is one of the world’s largest zinc smelters in terms of production volume. LOCATION: Balen and Overpelt, Belgium The Balen and Overpelt sites are only 18 kilometres apart. The TECHNOLOGY: roast, leach, electrolysis (RLE) smelting, oxide washing sites’ operations are complementary and highly integrated. Cathodes produced at Balen and Auby (France) are transported to PRODUCTS: special high grade (SHG) zinc, zinc alloys the centralised melting & casting facilities in Overpelt. In addition, and sulphuric acid the Overpelt site includes one of Europe’s largest oxide washing EMPLOYEES: 552 facilities that serves as a central washing facility for the pre- treatment of purchased secondaries prior to their consumption PRODUCTION 2016: 236,000 tonnes zinc metal, 317.000 by the European Nyrstar smelters. As part of the casting facilities tonnes sulphuric acid upgrade, a new melting furnace and a completely automated casting line were installed and commissioned in Overpelt in June 2010. SHG casting capacity at Overpelt amounted to 235.000 tonnes in 2016. The Balen smelter produces zinc from feedstock of both zinc concentrates and recycled zinc secondary feed materials. Balen’s zinc concentrates are sourced from suppliers world-wide. The Balen smelter can process a high percentage of secondary feed material input without adversely affecting overall plant productivity, effi ciency or residue output. Concentrates are transported by train from the port of Antwerp, a main Operation at a glance thoroughfare harbour for zinc concentrates. Secondary zinc feed materials are delivered to the plant by truck. The Balen smelter is located in the north-east of Belgium, and is a large-scale smelter. The Balen and Overpelt operations produce SHG zinc and a range The Overpelt plant is situated only 18 kilometers from Balen, of high value alloy products such as ZAMAK die casting alloy. consisting of one of Europe’s largest oxide washing facilities, as well Balen also produces sulphuric acid, copper cement and Balen Leach Product that contains lead and precious metals and is sold as signifi cant alloying and casting facilities. as a raw material to secondary smelters. PRODUCTION PROCESS AT BALEN/OVERPELT Input Concentrate + Oxides Electricity Process Roasting Leaching Purication Electrolysis Casting Gas Cleaning Goethite Process Sulphuric Acid Plant Water Treatment Lead/Silver, Output Balen Leach Copper Cobalt Sulphuric Product (BLP) Cake Acid Water Goethiite Zinc & Alloys Balen/Overpelt, and the world of Nyrstar Balen/Overpelt, Belgium AMSTERDAM 10 3 THE NETHERLANDS 2 12 11 1 Rotterdam 12 16 5 15 8 Antwerp Budel 4 Balen/Overpelt Lille BRUSSELS 6 14 Auby BELGIUM 7 13 FRANCE 9 Indicates neighbouring Nyrstar site MINES/STREAMING AGREEMENTS METALS PROCESSING CORPORATE OFFICE 1 Auby, France 6 Contonga, Peru 11 Langlois, Canada 16 Zurich, Switzerland 2 Balen/Overpelt, Belgium 7 Coricancha, Peru (non-core asset) 12 Myra Falls, Canada 3 Budel, The Netherlands 8 Fort Lauderdale, Miami, USA 13 Port Pirie, Australia 4 Campo Morado, Mexico 9 Hobart, Australia 14 Pucarrajo, Peru (non-core asset) 5 Clarksville, USA 10 Hoyanger, Norway 15 Tennessee Mines, USA THE WORLD OF NYRSTAR HISTORY In 1888, the Balen site began production of calcine (roasted zinc Nyrstar Balen is part of Nyrstar, a global multi-metals business, with ore) under the brand ‘Vieille Montagne’, followed by their fi rst zinc a market leading position in zinc and lead, and growing positions in production only two years later. other base and precious metals, which are essential resources that are fuelling the rapid urbanisation and industrialisation of our changing In 1899, the roasting capacity doubled and a sulphuric acid plant was world. Nyrstar has mining, smelting, and other operations located in added. Between 1910 and 1976, the site operated as an integrated Europe, the Americas and Australia and employs approximately 4,300 zinc-lead smelter organically growing to one of the largest roasting people. Nyrstar is incorporated in Belgium and has its corporate offi ce facilities in the world nine years later. For the last eight decades, the in Switzerland. Nyrstar is listed on Euronext Brussels under the symbol zinc smelter has used an electrolysis process to produce its zinc. NYR. The site chronologically operated under the name Vielle Montagne, Acec-Union Minière, Union Minière and Umicore - until Nyrstar was Nyrstar is committed to providing a safe environment for our born in 2007. Since 1976, the main focus of the plant remains the employees, minimising our smelters’ and mines’ impact on the production of zinc, zinc alloys and sulphuric acid. environment and contributing to the communities in which we operate. Contact Information Nyrstar Belgium Zinkstraat 1 2490 Balen Belgium T +32 14 44 95 00 F +32 14 81 73 12 www.nyrstarbalenoverpelt.be For more information please visit www.nyrstar.com or email [email protected]. Learn about career opportunities at nyrstar.com/careers Please visit nyrstar.com for more information © Nyrstar - March 2017.