South32 Ltd Looks to Bypass China for Arizona Zinc as Hermosa Nears U.S. Approval
South32 Ltd plans to steer zinc from its proposed $2.16 billion Hermosa project in Arizona toward smelters in North America, skipping Chinese processors as the development clears a new permitting hurdle. “We will prioritize domestic and regional smelters,” said Pat Risner, president of South32 Hermosa, referring to production expected to begin later this decade. Timing is key here: Washington wants to ramp up domestic critical-mineral supply. On March 4, Reuters reported the Pentagon reached out to mining firms, seeking help to shore up U.S. reserves of 13 essential minerals. South32’s plan to link Arizona mine production with processing in North America lines up with that strategy.