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Citronen mine
Potential lead and zinc mine in Greenland From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Citronen mine is one of the largest potential lead and zinc mines in Greenland.[1] The mine is located in Citronen Fjord, Northern Greenland.[1] The mine has reserves amounting to 100 million tonnes of ore grading 2% lead and 3% zinc.[1]
The mine was developed by mineral resources company Ironbark Zinc who initially had a nonbinding agreement with the China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group to finance and construct the mine.[2][3] In 2020, Ironbark Zinc executed a letter of interest for a financing loan from the Export–Import Bank of the United States to develop the project.[4][5] Initially planning to source financing from both China and the West, the company decided against sourcing from China Nonferrous due to geopolitical factors.[6] In December 2024 Ironbark Zinc sold its interests in the mine for $900,000 to Almeera Ventures Limited based in Dubai.[7]
China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group would provide engineering and construction services and could acquire up to a 20 % equity interest in return for offtake rights to the zinc–lead concentrates.[8]
Thus, Citronen is regarded as one of the world’s largest undeveloped zinc–lead deposit. As of 2021, the project hosts a JORC-compliant mineral resource of approximately 85 million tonnes grading 4.7 % zinc and 0.5 % lead, and an ore reserve of 48.8 million tonnes at 4.8 % zinc and 0.5 % lead (proved and probable), equivalent to more than 13 billion pounds of contained zinc–lead metal in situ.[9][10]
A 2017 feasibility study outlined a potential mine life of approximately 14 years, based on a production rate of 3.3 million tonnes per annum.[11] The Government of Greenland awarded a 30-year mining licence in 2016,[12] and early site works, including an airstrip and port preparation, commenced in 2018.[13]
If developed, Citronen could produce over 200,000 tonnes of zinc metal annually. With an average ore grade close to 6 % zinc, considered high by global standards, the project has been identified as a potentially significant contributor to global zinc supply.[14]
The company has also identified the presence of germanium in the Citronen ore with further assaying underway.[15]
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