Maravi

'Mufulira copper among purest in the world'

'Mufulira copper among purest in the world'
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Wed 06 June 2012, 13:24 CAT

COPPER mined from Mufulira is considered amongst the purest in the world, according to Mopani Copper Mines. In an interview at the just-ended Copperbelt Agriculture, Mining and Commercial Show, Mopani's employee relations manager George Mayeya said the company was committed to making a profit from the high grade copper produced at its mine for the benefit of its stakeholders and the people of Zambia.

Mayeya said the focus of the company was to increase production and reducing the cents-per-pound cost of copper and cobalt through the consistent use of internationally acceptable management and mining practices.

He said significant strides had been made by the company to increase production and contribute significantly to national growth through the completion of major projects at the mine such as the replacement of the 1937 Mufulira Smelter Electric Furnace with a new high-intensified smelting furnace which uses Isasmelt technology.

Mayeya said to accommodate the increased capacity of the new smelting configuration, upgrading of the converter had been approved.

"The upgrade will allow Mopani to source and treat concentrates produced from other Zambian companies. In conjunction with a new smelting company configuration, an acid plant has been constructed to convert the off-gas generated by the Isasmelt furnace into sulphuric acid that can be used in metallurgical leach projects," Mayeya said.

He said the acid plant would significantly reduce the sulphur dioxide emissions and particulate matter discharge from Mufulira Smelter.

Mayeya said an oxygen plant had also been constructed at the Mufulira site to meet the oxygen demands of the new smelting processes.

He said under the third and last phase, Mopani was installing three converters and an acid plant which will be commissioned in December 2013.

Mayeya said once completed, it would reduce sulphur dioxide emissions by 97 per cent.

He said the company's commitment was to measure success by achieving targets towards the goal of zero harm to the environment adding that the policy supports Mopani's commitment to sustainable development.

Mayeya said the company so far employed over 8,000 direct employees with a complement of contract labour of more than 7,800.

Labels: COPPER, MOPANI, MUFULIRA

posted by MrK @ 2:55 PM