The Company Perspective: Building the criticals minerals and metals narrative in a volatile geopolitical environment

Agenda for
25-27 June
2025

Jasper van Zon

Global Head of Corporate Affairs, Nyrstar, The Netherlands

Nyrstar is a leading international producer of both industrial as well critical minerals and metals. With a market-leading position in zinc and lead, Nyrstar employs around 4,000 people at it operations in Europe, the US and Australia. We have had strong roots in Europe for over a century, operating zinc smelters and multi metals operations in Belgium, France, Germany and The Netherlands. In total we employ over 1500 in this region and are well connected to the West European non-ferrous metals value chain. Our Corporate Office is based in Budel-Dorplein, the Netherlands.

Lead and zinc are key metals for the green transition as they help carry energy from one place to another, help protect steel, extending the life of steel twelve fold, and are key elements of batteries, solar- and windparks and many other applications

In addition, both lead and zinc are key carriers of critical by-products such as antimony, germanium and gallium, used in semiconductors, infrared optics, high performance solar panels for satellites, flame retardants and defense applications. Zinc, lead and the minerals and metals they carry, are key to the green transition, high tech and our security.

Access to critical minerals is fast becoming one of the defining strategic issues for advanced economies. It is estimated that China currently dominates between 50% and over 95% of global production for some of the very critical minerals that lead and zinc processing can give rise to, leaving Western regions vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and geopolitical risks.

During Pb2025 we will explore how industry has been elevating the importance of critical minerals and metals and what role industrial metals – and in particular lead and zinc – producers can play in securing critical minerals and metals if and when certain policies are in place creating the right investment climate to expand Western world’s critical minerals and metals production capacity.

Bio

Jasper van Zon joined Nyrstar in May 2022 as Global Head of Corporate Affairs. He brings 25 years of experience in Communications and Government Affairs in the aluminium industry.

Prior to Nyrstar, Jasper worked at leading US based aluminium companies Alcoa and Arconic, most recently as Arconic’s Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs Europe and Asia.

At Nyrstar, Jasper is leading Nyrstar's global team of Corporate Affairs and Communications professionals as the team supports global and regional management, develops and executes internal and external communications and engagement plans that protect and enhance Nyrstar’s corporate reputation with key stakeholders.
Jasper holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Public Relations.