Elements for life
Zinc for a better world
Zinc exists naturally in rock, soil, air and water. Zinc is fast becoming a critical metal whose traditional uses are increasingly diversified. Its application in low-emission technologies such as efficient, light-weight batteries holds promise for a society seeking solutions to minimize our carbon footprint.
Medical research is showing that Zinc protects human health and is important for proper functioning of the immune system and other vital functions. Zinc supplementation is proving successful in the fight against major causes of child mortality such as pneumonia and malaria.
Red Dog accounts for 80 percent of the approximately 725,000 metric tons of zinc ore mined in the U.S.
Over half of that zinc is used in the U.S. for galvanizing (e.g., to coat iron or steel with zinc to prevent rust). Twenty-one percent is used in zinc-based alloys; 16 percent in creating brass and bronze; and eight percent in other uses such as agriculture, chemicals, paint, and rubber.
A reliable lead supply
Red Dog also accounts for almost 30 percent of the lead concentrate mined in the U.S. In 2006, for example, the mine accounted for 28.7 percent of U.S. production and 3.9 percent of production worldwide.
Lead from the mine is vital to the lead-acid battery industry, accounting for 88 percent of U.S. lead consumption in 2006. Lead-acid batteries are used primarily as starting-lighting-ignition batteries for automobiles and trucks. They are also used as industrial-type batteries for uninterruptible power-supply equipment for computer and telecommunications networks and hospitals, and for load-leveling equipment for electrical power systems.
Maintaining Alaska's leadership in the global mining industry
Red Dog is important to our local, state, and national economies, as well as the competitiveness of the firms that use these metals for a wide variety of applications. Ensuring the mine continues to operate will also help stabilize zinc and lead prices both in the U.S. and abroad.
This is why we are actively pursuing the Aqqaluk Deposit, located adjacent to the existing Red Dog pit. By bringing Aqqaluk into production, we can ensure that Red Dog continues to provide benefits for many years to come.