The mine at Lawn Hill is 250km northwest of Mount Isa, in the Lower Gulf of Carpentaria.

One of the largest zinc mines in the world, Century produces and processes 130,000 tonnes per annum of zinc in concentrate from tailings at the historical mine.

New Century delivered a record 12,109t of zinc metal in the June quarter at a recovery rate of 51%, with the strong performance continuing into August for 11,768t of zinc metal, produced at 50% recovery.

The company has also signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with APA Group for supply of 8 megawatts of solar power from the under-construction 88MW Mica Creek solar farm in the state's North West Minerals Province.

While New Century gets power from the Diamantina power station, combining this with solar energy is expected to cut power costs and slash carbon emissions.

Under the terms of the MoU with APA Group New Century will retain the associated large-scale generation certificates from the purchased solar power, which will further help reduce costs.

New Century managing director Patrick Walta said the company set out an ambition in 2021 to improve the way its operations interacted with the environment and society.

"The MoU with APA Group represents a milestone in our efforts to address the carbon intensity of our Century operations and to reducing operational costs at Century through cooperative endeavours with our suppliers," he said.

APA Group executive Darren Rogers said the MoU was part of a broader commitment to developing renewable projects in the NWMP and helping the resource sector decarbonise.

"As we continue to investigate and develop new renewable projects in the region, we will work with New Century and other resource sector operators in the region, to supply renewable energy solutions for the sector, and contribute to reducing the carbon intensity of the industry," he said.

"This MoU supports APA's vision to expand our renewables portfolio in the region and help our customers reduce their emissions as they seek to decarbonise their operations."

Rogers said the deal with New Century meant it had three major customers supporting the 88MW Mica Creek solar farm.

"[This] demonstrates the enthusiasm of customers in the region for integrated energy solutions that can both meet their energy needs and help reduce their operational emissions," he said.