Cominco in talks with producer

Vancouver — Cominco (clt-t) has entered into negotiations with a private company to form a joint venture in connection with a small-scale open-pit oxide zinc mine in northwest Iran.

On an annual basis, Iran Zinc Mine Development (IZMDC) produces about 400,000 tonnes of oxide ore grading 33% zinc from the Angouran mine. The operation is 90 km west of the city of Zanjan.

Most of the ore is processed at a plant in Dandi, 20 km east of the mine, and the resulting zinc calcine is subsequently treated by local refineries.

Cominco is engaged in discussions with IZMDC and Iranian authorities with a view to establishing a joint venture. The prospective partners would build a plant to leach run-of-mine oxide ore and thereby produce about 100,000 tonnes of refined zinc.