Swedish mining company Boliden has inaugurated the expanded Odda zinc smelter in Norway, a century after the region’s initial zinc production, driven by the region’s hydropower development.
The company has labelled the facility the “world’s most climate-efficient” zinc smelter, aiming to nearly double its production capacity.
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Boliden’s investments in the Odda facility will increase the smelter’s production capacity to 350,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) from 200,000tpa previously.
This expansion not only enhances production but also allows for the extraction of additional metals from the raw material, thereby reducing waste.
The plant’s efficiency is highlighted by its capacity to produce 1,000 tonnes (t) of cast zinc per full-time employee each year.
The project has seen significant infrastructure development, with a focus on improving logistics and energy use. Upgrades include a new roasting furnace, a sulphuric acid plant and a cellhouse.
Additionally, the leaching and cleaning plant, as well as the foundry, have been expanded and modernised.
As a result of the expansion, Boliden Odda will become Europe’s second-largest zinc smelter and the most productive globally.
Zinc, the fourth most used metal worldwide, is primarily utilised to prevent corrosion in steel structures.
The construction and automotive industries are the largest consumers of zinc, along, increasingly, with the energy sector, particularly wind turbines due to their exposure to corrosive environments.
Boliden president and CEO Mikael Staffas said: “This is a historic day from several perspectives. We will almost double the production of the world’s most climate-efficient zinc. This is zinc that will primarily be used as rust protection in a variety of European applications and thereby be part of a responsible climate transition of our common continent. At the same time, this is a flagship for the Norwegian industry to be proud of for another 100 years.”
In September 2024, the company delayed the opening of its Odda zinc smelter capacity additions due to delays at the roasting facility.
