STEPS TAKEN TO INCREASE PRODUCTION OF ZINC Rajya Sabha

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To increase the production of zinc in the country HZL has expanded the installed capacity of Vizag and Debari Smelters by 10,000 tonnes each. Further Reconnaissance Permits/Prospecting Licences have been granted for exploration of zinc which may result in find of new zinc deposits and eventual extraction of zinc from the ore.

The average of annual production of primary zinc in the country during the last three years was 1,86,060 tonnes. The year-wise production of primary zinc during the last three years was 1,74,957 tonnes during 1999-2000, 1,78,015 tonnes during 2000-01 and 2,05,209 tonnes during 2001-02.

The quantity of zinc produced by the smelter of HZL located in Visakhapatnam during the last three years was 34,364 tonnes during 1999-2000, 31,960 tonnes during 2000-01 and 36,816 tonnes during 2001-02.

This was informed by Minister of State for Coal & Mines Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad in a written reply today in Rajya Sabha.