5th May 2026 18:48
(Alliance News) - Two people have died at Glencore PLC's Kazzinc zinc facility in Kazakhstan, according to reports seen by the Financial Times and Reuters on Tuesday.
The deaths were caused by a 120-square metre fire which began after "A dust collector exploded in the smelting section of the electrolysis unit," Kazakhstan's emergency services ministry said.
Five others were injured in the event, which caused a portion of the building to collapse.
"According to preliminary information, a bang occurred while work was being carried out to clean the smoke extractor, followed by a fire and the partial collapse of the structure," Kazzinc said in a statement.
The Kazzinc plant in Ust-Kamenogorsk is Kazakhstan's largest zinc production facility, according to Reuters. It is majority-owned by Baar, Switzerland-based mining house Glencore.
Kazakhstan's state fund Samruk-Kazyna holds the remaining 30% stake in the company.
"Appropriate measures will be taken to assess the feasibility of continuing the production cycle. At the same time, oversight of safety compliance at the facility will be strengthened," the local government said in a statement.
In 2026, Kazzinc reported USD5.1 billion in revenue and USD1.65 billion in adjusted earnings before interest and tax, higher than the previous year thanks to the higher gold prices, FT said.
Kazzinc produced 212,000 tonnes of zinc last year, along with 543,000 troy ounces of gold.
Glencore said the situation was "currently contained with efforts focused on treating the injured personnel”, and that air quality testing showed "no impact on the environment".
Glencore shares closed down 0.2% at 561.90 pence each in London on Tuesday.
By Aidan Lane, Alliance News reporter
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