The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
North of 60 Mining News - April 26, 2024
Teck Resources' Red Dog zinc mine in Northwest Alaska.
Teck Resources Ltd. April 25 reported that its Red Dog mine produced 145,000 metric tons (319.7 million pounds) of zinc and 25,400 metric tons (55.8 million lb) of lead during the first quarter, which puts the Northwest Alaska operation on pace to come in at the upper end of the company's annual production projections for both metals.
Red Dog's first-quarter zinc output is about 15% higher than the first three months of 2023, which was hampered by severe snowstorms.
The Red Dog mill processed 1.13 million metric tons of ore averaging 15.2% zinc and 4.3% lead during the first quarter, compared to 992,000 metric tons of ore averaging 15.4% zinc and 4.3% lead during the same period last year.
According to guidance put out by Teck in February, Red Dog is slated to produce between 520,000 and 570,000 metric tons of zinc and 90,000 to 105,000 metric tons of lead this year.
The operation's first-quarter zinc output is higher than the quarterly pace outlined in this guidance, and the lead output is at the upper end of the range.
Moving forward, however, Teck is forecasting a drop in production of both metals due to lower grades as the quantity and quality of ore dwindles in the area immediately surrounding the mill.
Here is the current metals production guidance out to 2027:
• 460,000 to 510,000 metric tons of zinc and 80,000 to 90,000 metric tons of lead in 2025.
• 410,000 to 460,000 metric tons of zinc and 80,000 to 90,000 metric tons of lead in 2026.
• 365,000 to 400,000 metric tons of zinc and 65,000 to 75,000 metric tons of lead in 2027.
There are currently enough reserves remaining to keep Red Dog in operation until 2031. Teck, however, is currently advancing some world-class zinc deposits on state lands in the wider Red Dog district that could provide future ore. This includes the Aktigiruq, Anarraaq, and Lik deposits, all within 15 miles of the Red Dog mill.
Over his more than 16 years of covering mining and mineral exploration, Shane has become renowned for his ability to report on the sector in a way that is technically sound enough to inform industry insiders while being easy to understand by a wider audience.
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