BRM is the largest primary lead producer within Europe. The facility is conveniently located 40 kilometres east of London on the Thames estuary in close proximity to excellent port facilities and European freight links.

BRM uses its innovative and proven processes to produce refined lead, an extensive range of lead alloys and silver, primarily from crude lead.

Britannia has been refining lead and silver from crude lead shipped from the Mount Isa Mines, Queensland, Australia since 1931. The Northfleet site was chosen due to its central location and its proximity to London. Between 1931 and 1968 the production capacity was 70,000 tonnes of primary lead per annum. After many years of modernisation and expansion it is today capable of producing over 180,000 tonnes of lead and 400 tonnes of silver per annum.

In 2003 Xstrata acquired 100% of BRM through the successful acquisition of MIM.