Mr. Berislav Galovich, commercial director of Russian zinc mining and refining company Chelyabinsk Zinc Plant (CZP), has forecasted that zinc consumption in Russia may double in the next five years.
Mr. Galovich pointed out that in Russia zinc is principally used (over 60 percent) in the production of galvanized steel, which is mainly destined for the construction and automobile industries. According to forecasts, compared to the 2006 figures, the construction volumes are expected to increase by more than 50 percent by 2010, while automobile production is expected to double by 2015. These predictions have permitted the forecast of a 50 percent increase in the consumption of zinc in the Russian market.
Mr. Galovich added that the country's zinc production would also see growth since, due to the rising world demand and prices for the metal, investors will take a greater interest in the development of new zinc deposits.
In 2006, Russia produced 236,000 metric tons of zinc while total production of zinc in the CIS came to almost 750,000 metric tons.