Manganese
Manganese
A metal in high demand that is increasingly used in EV battery chemistries and to improve the quality and strength of steel in major infrastructure such as hospitals, office towers and bridges.
Hermosa has the potential to become a globally significant producer of metals critical to a low-carbon future.
Hermosa Project
1860 E River Road, Suite 200
Tucson, Arizona 85718
United States of America
More information on the Hermosa Project can be found on its local website: south32hermosa.com
Key statistics
Our development option
Located in the Patagonia Mountains, about 80 kilometres south-east of Tucson, Arizona, Hermosa comprises the zinc-lead-silver Taylor sulphide deposit (Taylor Deposit), and the zinc-manganese-silver Clark oxide deposit (Clark Deposit). In addition to the Taylor and Clark deposits, Hermosa has a highly prospective broader land package, which includes the copper-lead-zinc-silver Peake exploration target, as well as the Flux prospect.
Strongly complementing our existing portfolio, Hermosa provides the opportunity to leverage the underground mining and processing methods we've used at our Cannington operation in Queensland, Australia.
Our work at Hermosa is helping to fulfill our strategy by reshaping our portfolio to produce the metals that are critical for a low-carbon future.
Next generation mining
In January 2022, we reached an important milestone for our Hermosa project, located in Arizona, USA, with the publication of results from the pre-feasibility study for the Taylor Deposit – the first development option at the project.
The results demonstrate that Taylor has the potential to be a sustainable, highly productive zinc-lead-silver underground mine with a conventional processing plant.
It is being designed as our first ‘next generation mine’, using automation and technology to minimise our impact on the environment and in line with our goal of achieving net zero operational carbon emissions by 2050. Learn more about the PFS here.
We expect to complete the feasibility study for our Taylor deposit in the second half of CY23.
Hermosa also includes the spatially-linked zinc-manganese-silver Clark Deposit.
Our work to date has confirmed the potential for the Clark Deposit to produce battery-grade manganese for the growing North American electric vehicle supply chain, with zinc and silver co-products. We are collecting bulk samples at Clark ahead of pilot plant production of battery grade Manganese from mid-calendar year 2023 to support ongoing customer engagements.
We’re also unlocking value through the exploration of our regional scale land package. We have identified a highly prospective corridor which will be prioritised for future drilling.
Our commodities
Zinc
Zinc
A metal increasingly in demand for batteries that store wind and solar energy and widely used for galvanising iron and steel to protect against corrosion. It’s long been used in construction because of its special properties.
Silver
Silver
A precious metal used to make coins, jewellery, medical appliances and electronics. It is also a key component for the production of solar photovoltaic cells.
Unearthing beneficial uses of excess groundwater at the Hermosa project
We recognise the value of working with experts to help achieve our sustainability commitment across our operations and projects. At the Hermosa project, safe and sustainable underground exploration will require moving groundwater away from the orebodies. This will be accomplished by pumping groundwater away from the orebodies and returning it to the neighboring environment after treating it to the highest applicable water quality standards. Watch the video to learn more.
Public consultation
Learn more about proposed work and permitting.
Public consultation
Contact
1860 E River Road, Suite 200, Tucson, Arizona 85718, United States of America