Korea Zinc invested a record 55.8 billion won in environmental facilities last year. This resulted in a reduction of approximately 14% in annual waste generation.
According to Korea Zinc's '2024 Sustainability Management Report' released on the 16th, the company invested 55.8 billion won in environmental facilities last year, a 40.9% increase compared to the previous year. By institutional sector, 38.1 billion won was invested in the water sector, 11.7 billion won in the air sector, and 6 billion won in the chemical substances sector.
Last year, Korea Zinc's annual waste generation was 657,016 tons, down 13.7% from the previous year. The company stated it exceeded its target of reducing waste generation at the Onsan smelter by 3% compared to the previous year.
Korea Zinc possesses technology that minimizes waste generation by additionally recovering metal resources during the reprocessing stage. Through the Top Submerged Lance (TSL) method, the company maximizes the recovery of valuable metals such as zinc, lead, and copper from byproducts generated during the smelting process. The final residue is made into clean slag for reuse as industrial aggregate.
From 2020 to last year, the cumulative amount invested by Korea Zinc in environmental initiatives was recorded at 150 billion won.
Korea Zinc noted that it prioritizes the harmony between the environment and safety, as well as resource circulation, in all processes, and aims for an environmentally friendly smelting facility.