Jabali Zinc Project, Yemen

The Jabal Salab has been the focus of silver mining from as early as the fourth century rising to its height between the seventh and ninth centuries, when the Jabali site was the largest silver mine within the Islamic world. Mining then became dormant until 1984 when the area was rediscovered. Mineralisation is predominately concentrated within the upper oxidised horizons and an exploration programme by ZincOx identified a 10 Mt zinc ore resource, with secondary lead and silver mineralisation.

“The Jabali Mine Project will be developed to exploit zinc oxide by open pit techniques and metal extraction using chemical leach technology,” says Julie Raynor (née Tarling), Scott Wilson’s Project Manager. “Zinc concentrate will be transported by road to the ports of either Salif or Hodediah on the Red Sea, for export.”

The mine will have a life of approximately 12 years, which may be extended if further deposits are identified in the area. It is anticipated that the mine will have an annual mining rate of 800,000 tpa, producing 700,000 tpa zinc concentrate and 200 tpa lead sponge.