Citronen mine
Citronen mine | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Country | Greenland |
| Coordinates | 83°0′N 29°55′W / 83.000°N 29.917°W |
| Production | |
| Products | Lead, Zinc, Germanium |
| History | |
| Opened | not opened |
| Owner | |
| Company | Ironbark Zinc |
| Website | ironbark |
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 under way.[15]
On 30th December 2025, Skylark Minerals released an announcement that it was relinquishing its licence and winding up operations in the region.[16]
References
- ^ a b c "Citronen Mine" (PDF). segweb.org. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-11-13. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
- ^ "Ironbark Zinc hosts successful site visit with China Nonferrous and Greenland Government". Proactiveinvestors UK. 2017-08-11. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
- ^ "Zinc project in Greenland receives Chinese backing". MINING.COM. 2017-08-11. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
- ^ Kevin McGwin (2020-11-02). "A US agency is ready to fund a major Greenland zinc mine". Arctic Today. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
- ^ "Ironbark Zinc progresses towards Citrönen final investment decision with letter of interest from Export-Import Bank of the United States". Proactiveinvestors UK. 2020-11-02. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
- ^ Leeuwen, Hans van (2021-12-07). "How Aussie miner Ironbark Zinc switched horses in Greenland from China to the US". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
- ^ "Ironbark Zink to divest Citronen Project" (PDF). MineDocs.com. 2024-12-17. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ "Citronen lead-zinc project". NS Energy Business. 3 March 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
- ^ "2021 Bankable Feasibility Study Confirms Citronen as World Class Zinc Project" (PDF). Ironbark Zinc ASX announcement via Aspect Huntley. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
- ^ "Citronen lead-zinc project". NS Energy Business. 3 March 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
- ^ "Ironbark Zinc Limited Citronen Feasibility Study Update". MarketScreener. 11 September 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
- ^ "Citronen lead-zinc project". NS Energy Business. 3 March 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
- ^ "Citronen lead-zinc project". NS Energy Business. 3 March 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
- ^ "Greenland – Part II: Northern Lights Eldorado". Gaia Research. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
- ^ "Ironbark moves to financing stage of zinc strategy". 16 January 2018.
- ^ https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/clients/skylarkminerals/headline.aspx?headlineid=61305585