Konkola Copper Mines (KCM)by Chabala Chisenga | 18-08-2017 05:31 |
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Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) is the largest copper mining company in the country. Although based in Chingola, 15% of its operations— namely Nkana Refinery, Nkana Acid Plants and Nkana Smelter (the largest smelter in the nation) are located in Kitwe. The Nkana Smelter is the largest primary copper production plant in Zambia. The plant treats concentrates mainly from Nkana, Nchanga, and Konkola mines, which are wholly owned by KCM to produce up to 150,000 tons of new copper. Nkana Smelter The smelter produces high grade anodes, which are electrolytically refined. Sulphur dioxide gas produced by the converters is converted into sulphuric acid which is then used at the Tailings Leach Plant in Nchanga for recovering oxide copper. The smelter also produces discard slag from the reverbs that is rich in cobalt which is stored for future reclamation. This smelter was part of the Konkola Copper Mine's operation at privatisation and has subsequently closed. Nkana Refinery The Nkana Copper Refinery produces electrolytically refined copper in the form of cathodes. The copper meets the LME premium quality grade. The tankhouse has a capacity of about 180,000 tons of finished copper per annum. Nkana Acid Plants There are two single contact sulphuric acid plants at Smelterco, namely the No.3 and No.4 plants. No.3, the largest, is still operational. Theplant has a design capacity of 1,050 tons of acid per day. Source:Wikipedia Thank You For Reading |
