News Releases

 

Balen, Belgium (15 December 2008) - Nyrstar NV today announced that it will be reducing production at its Clarksville, USA plant by about 40% to reflect current market conditions.  The reduction takes effect in early January and is expected to last for six months, reducing Clarksville's production by approximately 25,000 tonnes of zinc.

 

The action at Clarksville follows Nyrstar's decision to temporarily suspend production at its Balen plant and reduce production at Budel by 28% through to mid 2009.  Total production cuts at Nyrstar now amount to approximately 190,000 tonnes for the first half of 2009, in addition to the 35,000 tonnes reduction in 2008.

 

Paul Fowler, chief executive officer of Nyrstar, said, "In recent weeks a significant amount of smelting capacity around the world has been reduced or closed down permanently but it is clear to us that global zinc production continues to exceed demand."
 

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Clarksville is the only primary zinc producer in the USA, producing approximately 121,000 tonnes of zinc in 2007.

 

Nyrstar NV is the world's largest producer of zinc metal and alloys, and in addition, is one of the world's largest primary lead smelting and refining companies. The company produces other valuable by-products including copper, gold and indium, along with significant quantities of refined silver. In 2007 Nyrstar produced more than one million tonnes of zinc. Incorporated in Belgium and with its corporate offices in London (United Kingdom) and Balen (Belgium), Nyrstar has wholly-owned operations in Australia, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the USA and joint ventures in Australia, China and France. Nyrstar is listed on Euronext Brussels under the symbol NYR. For further information visit the Nyrstar website, www.nyrstar.com