Our History
History & Milestones
1998
1998 – 2000
Pilot R&D on Refinery process for zinc-oxides.
1997
1997
Lisheen mine: Feasibility study completed and development of mine and concentrator started by Chevron and Ivernia West joint venture.
1990
Late 1990s
Gold Fields of South Africa decides to sell its base metal assets, including Black Mountain. Anglo American Corporation purchases Black Mountain and the nearby, as yet undeveloped, Gamsberg zinc deposit. Low-key exploration, aimed mainly at finding extensions to the Broken Hill orebody, continues. With the change in ownership almost certainly signaling an end to the drilling program, the chief geologist requests funds for one final hole to test an area remote from those that had already been drilled. This is a turning point in the history of Black Mountain Mining as high-grade mineralization is intersected at a depth of just…
1990
Lisheen mine: Zinc and lead orebody discovered by Chevron geologists in County Tipperary, Ireland.
1977
1977
Zinc-oxide orebody discovered.
October 1977
Having decided to seek a partner for the venture, Phelps Dodge agrees that Gold Fields of South Africa Limited and its associates subscribe for a 51% interest in the Black Mountain Mineral Development Company.
1976
1976
Phelps Dodge commissions a feasibility study for an underground mine.
1974
1974
An investigation is conducted to procure bulk samples for metallurgical testing.
1973
1973
The Aggeneys Mountain (Big Syncline) orebody is intersected.
1972
1972
The most promising orebody at Noeniespoort se Kop (Broken Hill) is intersected.
1971
1971
The Swartberg orebody is intersected.
1929
1929
Exploration was initiated with the drilling activities at Swartberg (Afrikaans for Black Mountain). Exploration and evaluation continued sporadically until 1970 when Phelps Dodge Corporation initiated a diamond-drilling program.