New smelter

The new smelter at Namtu was constructed after the Second World War during which the old smelter was destroyed. It processed lead, silver, zinc and copper from the Bawdwin mines but has been out of use for some time. It was suggested that it would reopen in 2012 but I have not heard anything of this since my visit. The chimney in the background is at the end of a long flue from the smelter and is intended to carry the noxious fumes away from the works. The poisonous nature of these emissions is evident in the lack of vegetation on the hilltop.