Korea Zinc achieved its highest half-year performance since its establishment this year. The company reported record sales and operating profit, driven by strong sales of key non-ferrous metals, including silver, and improved profitability.
On August 5, Korea Zinc announced that its consolidated sales for the first half of the year reached 12.445 trillion won, with an operating profit of 1.333 trillion won. Compared to the same period last year, sales increased by 62.5%, and operating profit rose by 151.5%. The operating profit margin also improved from 6.9% to 10.7%, a rise of 3.8 percentage points.
On a separate basis, the company also recorded its highest half-year results. Sales for the first half reached 8.34 trillion won, a 72% increase from 4.85 trillion won in the same period last year. Operating profit surged from 539 billion won to 1.282 trillion won, marking a 137.8% increase. The operating profit margin also rose from 11.1% to 15.4%.
For the second quarter, consolidated sales were 6.373 trillion won, with an operating profit of 587 billion won, reflecting increases of 66.6% and 126.8%, respectively, compared to the previous year. On a separate basis, sales were 4.046 trillion won, and operating profit was 589 billion won, up 64.4% and 121.0%.
Korea Zinc has maintained a streak of 106 consecutive quarters of operating profit since the mandatory disclosure of quarterly results. Silver sales were a key driver of this growth, with first-half silver sales reaching 4.108 trillion won, a 170.4% increase from 1.519 trillion won in the same period last year. Gold sales also rose by 58.5% to 1.225 trillion won.
Sales of zinc increased by 22.6% to 1.563 trillion won, while lead sales rose by 9.5% to 717 billion won, and tin sales surged by 51.8% to 334 billion won.
Sales of rare metals used in advanced and defense industries also increased. First-half indium sales reached 30 billion won, an 11.1% increase from the previous year, while bismuth sales rose by 81.8% to 40 billion won. Sales of semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid, used in semiconductor manufacturing processes, slightly increased to 71 billion won compared to the same period last year.
Market analysts expect Korea Zinc's performance improvement to continue this year, supported by strong metal prices and expanded sales of rare metals.
A company official stated, "Thanks to the technological innovation efforts of our employees and proactive investments, we achieved our highest half-year results despite an unstable market environment. We will continue to enhance productivity and profitability while working to increase corporate value."
Meanwhile, Korea Zinc's board of directors approved a cash dividend of 5,000 won per share for the second quarter. The record date for the dividend is set for August 20, with payment scheduled for September 4. The total dividend for the second quarter amounts to approximately 102 billion won. Including the first-quarter dividend, the total dividend for the first half of the year is 10,000 won per share, totaling around 204 billion won.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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