Challenges with predictability and visibility of zinc production reduces the opportunity to make fast, accurate decisions and adapt metallurgical processes to market requirements. This can impact production, zinc solution quality, allocation of employees, electric power consumption and the final cost of the product.

Finding a solution to this challenge has been difficult due to the highly corrosive environment in smelting sites limiting the implementation and utilisation of sensors and hardware, along with the complex nature of online interpretation of zinc concentration.

Nexa Resources is seeking a solution to predict zinc production in the roasting, leaching or electrowinning stages of the smelting operation.

This should focus on two key areas:

• A hardware solution within the smelter that can effectively collect data on zinc concentration in a highly corrosive environment.
• A software solution that can interpret the data and provide predictivity features for zinc production.

The solution should allow for online tracking of zinc, copper and lead concentration and other parameters from their smelting process, and then provide advice and support on decision-making to increase the productivity of processes.

Companies offering a solution should consider:

• Nexa is seeking not just a software solution, but also hardware that can work effectively in the smelting environment.
• The main KPIs of the project will be zinc production and energy consumption.
• There is low availability of historical data from processing operations.
• It is a highly corrosive and harsh environment.

1. Submission Period
   Suppliers are invited to submit their short-form solution to the challenge by 10th March 2023 for evaluation by Austmine and Nexa Resources.
2. Evaluation Period
   Shortlisted suppliers will be invited to a technical briefing, where each supplier will be able to gain more information about the challenge from Nexa Resources. This will allow you to refine your proposed solution prior to the next stage.
3. Pitch Session
   This is the opportunity to ‘sell’ your solution and gain feedback from operational teams, presenting directly to the Nexa Resources team.
4. Full Proposal Submission
   Following the Pitch Session, shortlisted suppliers are invited to submit their formal technical and economic proposals.
5. Winner Announced
   Nexa Resources will select the best fit solution/s for the challenge. Unsuccessful submitters are notified in writing by Austmine.

Challenge Launch Webinar
2nd February 2023

EOI Submission Deadline
10th March 2023

Technical Briefing
20th March 2023

Pitch Sessions
27th April 2023

Final Proposal Deadline
21st April 2023

The Global Mining Challenge is coordinated by Austmine and supported by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. The program provides new supply and export opportunities for opportunities for Australian METS companies and guides participants through a process of delivering solutions, technologies, and services to major international mining customers.