Zinc is extracted from several of our own mines, including Garpenberg and Zinkgruvan in Sweden, Tara in Ireland, and Somincor in Portugal. Depending on the nature of the deposit, mining takes place either in open-pit operations above ground or in mines deep in the rock. To access the ore, holes are drilled and filled with explosives. Many of our mines use remote-controlled and automated machinery, which makes operations both safer and more efficient. Once the ore has been mined, it is transported for processing. At the concentrator plant, the ore is crushed and ground down into a fine material, so that the portions containing zinc can be separated from the rest of the rock. The result is a zinc concentrate that is sent on to the smelters.

Zinc is rarely visible, but its protective properties are all around us. Through galvanisation, steel receives a protective layer of zinc that prevents rust and extends the lifespan of the material. This is why zinc is used in everything from buildings, bridges, and vehicles to wind turbines that need to withstand the elements for a long time. Zinc is also used in batteries, medicines, skincare products, and sunscreen. In certain types of sun cream, zinc oxide acts as a UV filter, reflecting and scattering the sun's rays before they reach the skin. Thanks to its many applications, zinc is an important metal both in everyday life and in society's transition to a more sustainable future. But responsibility for zinc production does not end once the metal has been used.