Metal refiner Korea Zinc pursues goal of carbon neutrality

The Sun Metals zinc refinery in Townsville is striving to be the first in the world to produce “green zinc”.

THE Sun Metals zinc refinery in Townsville is striving to be the first to produce “green zinc” and achieve net zero emissions.

To do this, the Korea Zinc group company is making huge investments in renewable energy.

Already it has invested $200m into this solar farm, built surrounding the Stuart refinery.

Earlier this year, its sister company Ark Energy reached agreement with Spanish multinational Acciona to acquire a 30 per cent stake in the 923.4MW MacIntyre wind farm project near Warwick in southern Queensland.

The investment will amount to about $450m with the 30 per cent equity offtake providing electricity to meet a further 63 per cent of Sun Metals’ power requirements.

The Townsville refinery will be the forerunner to the group’s wider energy plans.

Last month Korea Zinc signed the RE100 Initiative, a global effort to move to 100 per cent renewable energy.

Korea Zinc chief executive Yun B. Choi said: “In the midst of a worsening crisis of climate change, Korea Zinc is grateful for the opportunity to join RE100. Believing that RE100 membership will become one of those defining moments in our corporate history, Korea Zinc will ensure that our innovative DNA continues to pursue sustainability goals such as carbon neutrality and circular economy.”

Originally published as Metal refiner Korea Zinc pursues goal of carbon neutrality