Kamoa-Kakula smelter, Africa's largest, produces its first copper anodes

Ivanhoe Mines/Kamoa-Kakula copper complex

The US$1.1 billion direct-to-blister smelter produced its first 99.7%-pure copper anodes about five weeks after heat-up and one week after first concentrate feed. At design rate it will make 500,000 tonnes of anode a year plus up to 700,000 tonnes of sulphuric acid for local buyers. Surplus concentrate goes to the Lualaba smelter near Kolwezi.

• Furnace held at 1,250 °C for five days before first feed.
• Anodes carry about 99.7% copper per truck load instead of about 45% in concentrate.
• Backup: 60 MW uninterruptible supply, 180 MW diesel; 60 MW solar with storage under construction.