Canadian mining company Teck Resources has commenced the first shipment of zinc and lead concentrate from its restarted Pend Oreille Operations, Washington State.
The materials will be delivered to nearby Trail Operations in British Columbia (BC) for processing.
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Teck Resources president and CEO Don Lindsay: "The restart of our Pend Oreille zinc mine was completed on time and under budget and allows us to grow our zinc production at a time when global supply is constrained.
"We are pleased to be operating again in Washington State and helping to support jobs and economic activity in the community, region and state."
Operated by Teck Washington, Pend Oreille was abandoned during the global economic crisis in 2009.
The mine was placed on care and maintenance due to unfavourable market conditions between 2004 and 2009.
With regulatory and environmental permits in place, the mine facilities have been maintained since 2009 to support the restart.
Re-opening of the mine is expected to bring $20m of local investment during the start-up phase and supports about 230 jobs in Pend Oreille County.
Pend Oreille has an expected mine life of five years and is said to have an expected annual production rate of 44,000t of zinc in concentrate annually, with the potential to extend the mine life.
