Nyrstar NV dealt another blow to the long suffering Tennessee zinc mining industry with the recent announcement that it is placing its Middle Tennessee Mines (MTN) on care and maintenance to further minimise cash consumption in the mining segment as the company continues to address the impact of the challenging metals price environment.  This decision will result in approximately 50,000 t/y of zinc in concentrate being taken out of the market. Zinc metal production at the nearby Nyrstar Clarksville smelter will be reduced by about 7%, equivalent to about 9,000 metric tonnes per annum. The Nyrstar Clarksville smelter will continue to be supplied by East Tennessee Mines and additional external sources.

Middle Tennessee consists of three mines and one processing plant. A small team of essential staff will remain at the MTN sites to ensure a smooth transition into care and maintenance over the next few months, while ensuring that high safety and environmental standards are maintained. Bill Scotting, CEO of Nyrstar, said: “The decision to put our Middle Tennessee Mining operations on care and maintenance was not taken lightly. However, given the continued depression of the metal price environment, it is the right decision for the company. We continue to take decisive action to reduce spending in our mines, and further mine operation suspensions may be necessary if the depressed metals price environment continues. We expect to complete the process to divest the majority or all of our mines over the course of 2016. We thank our employees at Middle Tennessee Mines for their hard work and will be engaging with all employees and put in place appropriate support to assist people who may be affected as a result of these changes.”