Copper Worldwide Vol 11 No 2 issue

SECOND QUARTER 2021

VOLUME 11 |2

See Directory pp18-19

NOW IN PRINT AND DIGITAL SECOND QUARTER 2020

VOLUME 10 |2

CWD 2021 ISSUE 1 MARCH

CWDigital

See Directory pp21-23

TEN YEARS OF COPPER JULY 2011

VOLUME 1 | 1

JULY/AUGUST 2012

VOLUME 2 | 3

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2013

VOLUME 3 | 4

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

VOLUME 4 | 1

5TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

VOLUME 6 | 2

See Buyers Guide pp26-27

Key Words: The future is not a commodity - neither are our grandchildren

Key KeyWords: Words: Opportunity The future isinnot a multi-metal commodity -recycling neither are our grandchildren News: Integrated Acquisitions and production looms projects mostly - tracking the moving forward migration route of smelter Chinaprojects Review: Project roundup capacity Spotlight: and Aurubis and Luvata targets in the first of a wave 11thof World strategic Copper realignments?

Conference The Review ECI calls for Pictorial better EU resource efficiency Coppermeasures Scrap Recycling GIFA Preview – Xstrata takes industry oncopper valuables suppliers Metallo interview In Profile: Copper Recycling Bob Kickham Conference - with SDI Laheritage Farga Comes a responsibility Cold Rolling Fröhling in China report China - ROCS in every issue Sensor benefits with support from Beijing Buyers Guide Antaike Refractories Insulation An inspiring event and in May – will it new entry revitalise a copper niche Daily Lives sector?

Globetrotting People: electrowinning Ankh and Outotec consultant on winners a award handshake

Integrated production looms - tracking the migration route of smelter projects Spotlight: Aurubis and Luvata in the first of a wave of strategic realignments?

The ECI calls for better EU resource efficiency measures GIFA Preview – copper industry suppliers In Profile: Bob Kickham with heritage Comes a responsibility China report in every issue with support from Beijing Antaike An inspiring event in May – will it revitalise a copper niche sector?

People: Ankh and Outotec award winners Copper China a new addition to the Chinese show calendar

Key KeyWords: Words: Views of isinnot a Opportunity The future Oyu Tolgoi -recycling multi-metal commodity neither are our grandchildren News: Mergers create Integrated Acquisitions and synergies production looms projects mostly Brazil invests - tracking the moving forward Half-year migrationupdates route of smelter Chinaprojects Review: Special Reports: Project roundup Semis gathering capacity Spotlight: and Safety and Aurubis and Luvata targets Maintenance in the first of a wave 11thof World strategic 8th COPPER/Cobre Copper realignments? back to Santiago Conference Optimised The Review ECIsmelter calls for Pictorial concentrate supply better EU resource efficiency Coppermeasures Scrap Rolling- quality Recycling control issues GIFA Preview – Xstrata takes expertly solved industry oncopper valuables suppliers

Stewart Alex Metallo interview reveals the art In Profile: Copper Recycling of inspection Bob Kickham Conference - and analysis with heritage SDI La Farga a Copper Comes Chunlei

Cold Rolling responsibility gets rolling Fröhling in Hot tinning dip China report China - ROCS Mill contracts in every issue Sensor benefits support from with EVENTS

Buyers Guide Beijing Antaike – Three reviewed Refractories and four previewed Insulation An inspiring event and May – Review: will it new entry in China revitalise a copper 2013 forecasts niche Daily Lives sector? and projects Globetrotting People: electrowinning Company Ankh and consultant on Profile – Outotec winners a award handshake FLOGEN STAR gives recognition 25th Copper China International addition a new Buyers Guide – Copper to the Chinese event New entry in inshow Hamburg calendar heat recovery

25th Copper China International a new addition Copper to the Chinese event inshow Hamburg calendar

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Key KeyWords: Words: Opportunity Copper The future 2013isinnot a impressions multi-metal commodity -recycling neither are our grandchildren News: Integrated Acquisitions Turkey business and production looms projects Upstream mostly efficiency - tracking the moving Africa and forward Asia migration route of gatherings smelter Chinaprojects Review: Special Reports: Project roundup capacity Spotlight: Semis will meet and Aurubis and Luvata in Mumbai targets in the first of a Copperbelt latest wave 11thof World strategic realignments?

8th Copper/Cobre Copper First hand Conference The Review ECIbycalls for Interviews Pictorial betterLillo EU resource Marta efficiency Coppermeasures Scrap Refinery Recycling GIFA Preview – power and Xstrata takes industry maintenance oncopper valuables suppliers Refractories Metallo interview reach In Profile: Copper that Recycling the Bob Kickham Conference highest - with SDI specifications Laheritage Farga Comes a responsibility Cold Rolling Electrowinning Fröhling & Electrorefining in China report China process - progress ROCS in every issue Sensor benefits with Contracts: support from Hamburg refit Beijing Buyers Guide Antaike Bascur awarded Refractories Rod strip event and An inspiring and Insulation in May – will it new entry revitalise Rollingaspray copper niche Daily Lives systems sector?

Globetrotting development People: electrowinning Ankh Company and Outotec consultant on Profile Schenck Process winners a award handshake can handle it 25th Copper China a new Buyers Guide International addition All Copper topurchasing the Chinese event needs fulfilled inshow Hamburg calendar METALLIC MEDIA LTD

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- Mark Loveitt, IWCC President

“The SMS group team would like to congratulate to Chris Holding and Copper Worldwide for a decade’s work by the magazine in support of the Copper Industry. The accompanying good reporting of innovations and technologies by the magazine was always important for us and we appreciate the good cooperation. Wecontinue to wish you all the best for the future.”

We have been supplying the material for modern energy for 150 years.

When innovations impact the world, Aurubis copper is there. This was true in 1866, the year our company was founded, and is still the case today. With our 150th anniversary, we are therefore also celebrating a metal that enables progress.

Discover our history at www.150-years-of-the-future.com

n Key Words: Measuring innovation n News: Aurubis is 150 Klopper returns KOV pit wall Latest figures n Primary Smelting: Acid plant trend Bale honoured Roaster for Glogow n Spotlight: South Korea examined by Barnes n Managerial Review: Strategies and projects n Copper in Australia: Phillip Mackey on a nation with copper pedigree n Melting and Casting: Otto Junker in China supply n Events: CESCO Week Wire 2016 Review ICC meets ICSG African Events Coming in 2016 n Contracts: Arriagada appointed MINO in Turkey buntmetall press Jacques at Rio n Buyers Guide Need help with new challenges?

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“Over the last 10 years Copper Worldwide has become a valuable source of news, insights and information about the international copper industry - in particular for the copper processing industry.

At the IWCC we have been delighted to regularly contribute to Copper Worldwide magazine, and continue to see the publication as an important way to promote our work and events to the wider copper industry. I expect that under the leadership of Editor Chris Holding, Copper Worldwide will continue to go from strength to strength in the next 10 years as well.”

Aurubis. An official partner of innovative ideas since 1866.

www.copperworldwide.com

www.copperworldwide.com

“The International Copper Association (ICA) works to develop and defend copper markets. For almost a decade we have valued the support received from Copper Worldwide magazine and Chris Holding, its editor. Copper World0wide gives ICA the opportunity to bring important industry issues to a larger audience, and we look forward to working with this essential resource for many years to come.”

- International Copper Association (ICA)

“This year Copper Worldwide magazine is celebrating their 10th anniversary and Continuus-Properzi is happy to share in this joyous occasion. This publication has been our gateway to the world allowing us to promote our engineering and technology which is the result of our most treasured asset, our Research and Development Department. This is simply a tribute to the friendship that has evolved between Continuus-Properzi and Mr. Chris Holding, a man who turned his passion into a successful business. We wish him the best of luck for the next 10 years!”

- SMS group

- Continuus-Properzi Team

“Copper Worldwide gives a great and still compact overview of all activities happening in our industry all over the world. For me personally, Copper Worldwide is the magazine where my number of read articles is by far the highest regarding the offered articles.

Another very special highlight is the annually updated wall map of all copper smelters and refineries in the world.”

“Copper Worldwide offers a valuable service to the copper sector with its magazine focusing on copper production and processing which provides a convenient way to keep up with current news and developments in the industry. ALTA has worked with Copper Worldwide since 2015 for advertising and publishing and they have co-sponsored the annual ALTA conference since 2015.

We look forward to continuing this important partnership for years to come.”

- Dr. Andreas Filzwieser, Managing Director, Mettop GmbH

“Copper Worldwide Magazine is a complete, reliable, comprehensive and continuously updated source of information regarding not only the worldwide copper and copper alloys market but also the latest technologies of copper alloys processing and copper products manufacturing. The accurate preparation of each issue of the Magazine and the variety of contents of the articles make Copper Worldwide Magazine an indispensable reference for all the industries, engineering companies, equipment suppliers and research organisations.”

- Geminiano Chiesa, Business Area Manager, MINO S.p.A. FOURTH QUARTER 2018

VOLUME 8 |4

FIRST QUARTER 2019

VOLUME 9 |1

See Directory pp25-27

n Key Words: Energy transition Chile example n News: Market forecasts FCX performs Glencore 25% EU debates n Smelting: Mackey on papers Best practice New solutions Experiences n Spotlight: Extraction 2018 full review n Rolling: Danieli tips Aurubis FRP n Thermal Processes: Annealing tips Anode lining design n Inspection: Drone power n Safety: Acid mist capture options n Events: JOGMEC / ACW IMARC / IWCC IERC / ICC / WCC n Contracts: Ecuador plans Norilsk grows New appointees n Supplier Directory New entries and new logos

Visit us at World Copper Conference 8–10 April 2019, Santiago Chile

- Allison Taylor, Conference & Exhibition Manager, ALTA Metallurgical Services

“Copper Worldwide has established itself as a welcome addition to the existing magazines. Personally, I value most the up-todate information about the industry, presented in a slim design reduced to the essentials. I wish Chris all the best for the future and I look forward to the next issues of his magazine.”

- Dr. Stefan Konetschnik, Managing Director, UrbanGold GmbH

A huge thank you to everyone for all your kind comments

SECOND QUARTER 2019

VOLUME 9 |2

See Directory pp21-23

See Directory pp25-27

n Key Words: Will it be a WCC to remember? n News: Roland Harings MKM and KME Latest figures Majors news n Smelting/Refining: Mackey on why Chagres Smelter has lasted over 100 years n Spotlight: Discover your digital twin n Rod Tube Wire: Barnes on Taiwan Latest stories n Melting/Casting: La Farga inaugurates new line n CESCO Week: Programme news

n Key Words: Copper Mark Sourcing right Thinking whole n News: Udokan supply Mayr at IWCC New mergers Latest figures n Smelting: KGHM upgrades Sulphide ore treatment n 18th WCC Review: CRU at 50 Special Q&A n GIFA-GMTN 2019: Three pages of exhibitor profiles n Managerial: Antofagasta BHP / FCX Southern Copper n Operational: CEEC Innovation

n Integration: ABB optimises mine activities n Events: IERC 2019 32nd ICC What is coming n Contracts: CRMs on the move New orders placed Expansions n Supplier Directory Get what you need right here

— ABB Ability™ MineOptimize Unified and enterprise-wide way to digital transformation Optimized CAPEX, maximized productivity, sustainability and safety are values that digitally connected products, services and solutions create for the mining industry. ABB unifies and simplifies access to all its engineering capabilities, system solutions, digital applications and collaborative services for mining and mineral processing. abb.com/mining

THIRD QUARTER 2019

VOLUME 9 |3

In times of rapidly changing markets, you want your business partner to deliver solutions tailored to your needs. We listen. We learn. We deliver: in close Collaboration with you, we design simple customized solutions. Fast and flexible, we implement advanced technologies in line with your requirements. Whatever you envision, we will make it happen for you.

Leading partner in the world of metals

n New Frontiers: Vancouver for COM + Copper n Events: IWCC TS Shanghai TMS 2019 ALTA summary n Contracts: Ningbo mills Resolution Copper Executive moves n Supplier Directory Always get what you want here

n Key Words: Vancouver barometer favourable n News: Steam plant Oyu Tolgoi RMI and ICA New reports n New Frontiers: COM + Copper EMC 2019 Cu technologists n Hydrometallurgy: New filters Tailings in focus n Primary: Flash smelting turns 70 n Recycling and scrap: SMM looks at China scrap n Products: High bay storage In-field analysis n Event Previews: LME Week Asia Copper Week IMARC SIPS 2020 Schedule n Contracts: Andritz moves China projects New equipments El Teniente n Supplier Directory Always get what you want here

www.sms-group.com

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FIRST QUARTER 2020

VOLUME 10 |1

See Directory pp25-27

CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS

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09.11.17 11:32

See Directory pp21-23

THE MARKETPLACE LEADER AND A NAME YOU CAN TRUST IN

CONTINUOUS CAST COPPER ROD • Equipment that is easy to operate and maintain with low operating cost.

• Largest technology pool in the industry sharing know how and improvements since 1969.

• 50% of the worlds ETP copper rod is produced on an SCR System.

• The only supplier in this market that operates the same equipment it sells.

SCR Technologies One Southwire Drive Carrollton, GA 30119, U.S.A.

Phone: 770-832-4108 Fax: 770-838-6600

Visit us at: www.southwire.com/SCR.htm Email: scrsales@southwire.com

©2015 Southwire Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved. ® Registered Trademark of Southwire Company, LLC.

n Key Words: COVID-19 effect Scrap flows E-scrap outlook n News: Mine forecasts Recycled trade Smelter updates Key appointees n Electrorefining: Anode makeup Capacities Market n Tube and wire: Suppliers and processes n Primary: Zijin profile Steam drying n Energy Efficiency: Smelt well Renewables n Rolling: Turkey and Taiwan contracts n Events: Cesco / WCC Wire Tube 2020 Digital Mines ALTA at 25 GDMB work n Contracts: Project plans Appointments MINO mill Amer Xinjiang n Supplier Directory Find what you need in here

n Spotlight: COVID-19 ICSG Insights CRU webinars n News: Role of copper Chinalco speaks Force majeure Market effects Aurubis buys n 21st Century Smelting: Cu Pb Zn flowsheets n Managerial: Three pages of summaries n Russia: Expert analysis n Sustainable Supply: CEO tips SMS group in NFM n Rolling: Mill and annealing orders placed n Events: New calendar 16 upcoming events in 2020 and 2021 to plan for n Contracts: SCC in Mexico Miners move PPE Wieland acquires n Supplier Directory Online learning section

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08.03.2019 07:53:29

3

Issue 1 - Introduction and Testimonials

4

Key news stories from the Global Copper Supply Chain

6

Highlighting trends and a story that spans a decade

7

You can believe that normal things are still happening

8

Everyone is on the clean and green agenda

10

Leaders on being much more holistic and open

11

Huelva leading the smelter energy conservation field

13

Controlling rolling; Thin-gauge foil; Trolley rolls

15

Profiles created around copper - rod, tube and wire

17

Country Profile - Russia is in it for the long term

19

Statistics

20

Contracts and People

22

Event Previews

23

Event Reviews

24

Event Diary / Future CWDigital and CW Issues

A Copper Worldwide Magazine Publication

ISSN 2046-9438

ISSN 2634-7040

www.copperworldwide.com

SUSTAINABILITY IS THE CAPACITY TO ENDURE

6 issues per year Next publication: July, September

4 issues per year Copy date: August, November CWDigital©2021 Metallic Media Limited All rights reserved

n Reviews: CRU Wire ICA Circular n Spotlight: Indonesia Smelter trends n News: Kamoa-Kakula Africa rebounds Kola MMC Stats / Forecasts n 21st Century Smelting: Aurubis Hamburg n Clean Green: Pledges and approaches n EV Copper: Key areas Innovations and projects n Managerial: Majors in Q1 Projections n Events: KGHM at 60 IARC 2021 EMC 2021 Jun-Nov listing n Contracts: Udokan update Jiangxi Copper Nornickel plans JSC Almalyk Mantoverde n Supplier Directory Professional CSC services ISSN 2046-9438

www.copperworldwide.com

DIGITALIZATION In times of rapidly changing markets, you want to optimize your plants to stay ahead. We listen. We learn. We deliver: our automation and Digitalization specialists will help you implement learning mills that will boost efficiency, lower operating costs, and increase productivity. Whatever you envision, we will make it happen for you.

Leading partner in the world of metals

www.sms-digital.com

www.sms-group.com

CONTENTS | 1

www.copperwor ldw ide. co m

NEWS

4,5

Kamoa-Kakula begins; African output rises;

Kola MMC work; Output forecasts

7

Sustainability and energy transition initiatives; UK is green; China to peak

SPOTLIGHT

6

Smelter capacity and operating trends; Indonesian projects

MAR 25 - Udokan Copper LLC has started the installation of equipment at the construction site of the thickening and decantation area.

Production is scheduled to start in 2023. Photo: Udokan Copper (see Page 14)

Inside stories EVENT REVIEWS

People back working together - the team at Quellaveco celebrating Global Safety Day in 2018. Photo: Anglo American (see Page 5)

SECTORAL STATISTICS

17

Latest IWCC forecast to 2022; New Roskill supply chain Report;

IWCC Trade Data; February WBMS figures; EU brass rod study

EVENT PREVIEWS

20

KGHM reaches 60; Upcoming Jun-Nov events listing; IARC goes hybrid R+V;

EMC 2021 tackles complex ores

CONTRACTS & PEOPLE

14,15

Udokan Copper makes progress; Jiangxi Copper snapshot;

Nornickel invests; DR Congo smelter plan; Almalyk US$ 2 bn modernisation; Mantoverde contract; Wieland recycling plant

SUPPLIER DIRECTORY

18-19

Professional CSC services

3

CRU Wire & Cable; ICA Circular Copper; Roskill Copper 2021

21ST CENTURY SMELTING

8,9

P. J. Mackey admires Hamburg Smelter’s longevity and forward thinking

CLEAN GREEN REVOLUTION

10,11

A green approach works for Properzi; Ivanhoe pledges

net-zero GHG; SKC aims for 100% renewables

COPPER FOR THE EV AGE

12,21

Jon Barnes of Roskill on the most in-demand copper-based

solutions for the electric vehicle sector; Blockchain deployed to clarify EV supply chain; Tesla in charge last year; KME attuned to EV parts supply; Combilift electric drive awarded; Cu-Al busbar bonding project

MANAGERIAL 2020 REVIEW

16

Los Bronces running well for Anglo; Chino back for FCX; Glencore in steady

Q1; Southern Peru project outlook; New BHP Escondida worker agreement; MMG hopeful for H2 improvement Copper Worldwide Vol 11 No 2

KEY WORDS True recycling ‘The image of the closed loop of the circular economy (CE) conveys the impression that everything that enters the cycle also emerges in a way that can ultimately be used again without the use of energy. The inconvenient truth is that closing the loop is impossible!

Therefore, an honest discussion involves speaking transparently about losses in the process, and the technological and economic limits to ‘closing the loop’.

Smelters are the drivers to agilely manage the extraction of different metals simultaneously and maximise their respective recovery. Lead, like copper, is crucial as a metal collector in multi-metal metallurgical recycling. It is a key enabler of the CE, as it recovers metals such as gold, silver, bismuth, and antimony. Metallurgists know what refining charges are necessary for processing complex materials. We could play a key role in transparently informing society about what is possible and what isn’t.

There is a growing understanding in today’s society that both manufacturers and consumers have to contribute to responsible resource consumption. However, this always comes at a cost.’

Extracts from a Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Markus Reuter director at the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF) since 2015 - Interview for Aurubis Annual Report 2018/19

2 | COPPER WORLDWIDE A-Z

www. c op p e r wor l d w i de. co m

Companies COMPANY NAME

PAGE NO

COMPANY NAME

PAGE NO

COMPANY NAME

PAGE NO

Volume No: 11 Issue No: 02 Date: Second Quarter 2021

Publisher: Chris K Holding BSc BEng Contributing Editors: Phillip Mackey Jonathan Barnes IT/www Contact: chriskholding@gmail.com

ALTA 2021 ....................................................... 20

GDMB (EMC 2021).......................................... 20

Ronesans............................................................ 15

ALTA Metallurgical Services.......................... 20

Gécamines............................................................ 4

Roskill...................................................... 3, 12, 17

ALUMINIUM 2021 (Reed).............................. 20

Glencore............................................... 3, 4, 16, 21

Anglo American........................................ 1, 5, 16

Global Battery Alliance (GBA)........................ 21

Aurubis............................................... 4, 7, 8, 9, 14

hpl-Group.......................................................... 14

Beijing Antaike

Hydroprocess 2021 (GECAMIN).................... 20

Information Development........................ 4, 14 BGRIMM Lilan Consulting............................... 3 BHP ............................................................... 5, 16

Managing Director: Chris K Holding

CNIA.................................................................... 7

chriskholding@gmail.com

Continuus-Properzi.................................... 10, 11

Published by Metallic Media Ltd Wimborne, UK

Combilift............................................................ 21

Copper Mark....................................................... 3 Covid-19......................................... 5, 6, 16, 17, 21 CRU Consulting.................................................. 3 CRU Events......................................................... 3 Cu2 Consulting................................................. 17

Tel: +44(0)7731 784798 www.copperworldwide.com Distribution: free to managers involved in the various stages of the copper industry: Production of primary or secondary copper and associated refining; recycling, melting and casting operations; processing of copper by extrusion, rolling and tube/wire drawing for the manufacture of semi-finished products or fabrications; or involved in the manufacture of components and structures from copper alloys; and who are involved in the buying process for equipment and materials.

All other categories of reader are invited to subscribe at £80.00 to UK, and Non-UK is: Surface £98.00, e125.00, $170 USD Airmail: £120.00, e150.00, $200 USD Single copy £28, e40, $55 incl. p&p.

The articles within Copper Worldwide are copyright and are the property of the publisher Metallic Media Limited and cannot be reproduced in any media form without permission of the publisher. Application should be made via the webform

Dürr Group.......................................................... 4 EMC 2021 (GDMB).......................................... 20 ENGIE.................................................................. 7

IARC21 (ICM).................................................. 20

Samuel Taylor Limited (STL)......................... 21 SHFE.................................................................... 5 SK nexilis..................................................... 11, 12 SMS group........................................................... 2

ICMM................................................................. 21

SNE Research.................................................... 20

International Copper Association..................... 3

Southern Peru Copper...................................... 16

International Copper

Southwire Company........................................... 3

Study Group................................... 4, 5, 6, 7, 11 International Wrought Copper Council..... 3, 17 Interwire 2021 (WAI)....................................... 20 Ivanhoe Mines......................................... 4, 11, 15 Jiangxi Copper Company................................. 14

Sustainable Minerals ’21 (MEI)...................... 20 Taseko Mines....................................................... 4 Teck Resources.................................................... 5 Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group........... 4, 12

Kamoa-Kakula............................................... 4, 15

Udokan Copper............................................. 1, 14

KGHM............................................................ 3, 20

Velesstroy........................................................... 14

KME................................................................... 21

Vineyard Wind.................................................... 3

LME..................................................................... 5

Eurasian Resources Group (ERG).................. 21

Los Bronces....................................................... 16

EV Battery Recycling & Reuse 2021

Metso Outotec..................................................... 7

WAI.................................................................... 20 Wieland.............................................................. 15 WindEurope........................................................ 3

(iQ-Hub)......................................................... 20

MMG.................................................................. 16

First Quantum..................................................... 7

NICICO.............................................................. 15

FLSmidth........................................................... 15

Nornickel................................................. 5, 14, 15

World Bureau of Metal Statistics................ 3, 17

Freeport McMoRan (FCX).......................... 6, 16

P. J. Mackey..................................................... 8, 9

Zijin Mining.................................................... 4, 5

COMPANY NAME

COMPANY NAME

Wire & Cable 2021 (CRU Events).................... 3

Advertisers COMPANY NAME

PAGE NO

PAGE NO

PAGE NO

Alex Stewart International......................................19

Heath & Sherwood (1964) ......................................19

Mettop................................................. Cover 1, 18, 19

CA Group..................................................................18

Holton Crest.............................................................18

MINO..................................................................13, 19

Combilift.............................................................18, 21

Kopar.........................................................................18

Primetals Technologies...........................................19

Continuus-Properzi .......................................Cover 4

Kumera Corporation...............................................18

Saint Gobain.............................................................19

Danieli Breda...........................................................18

Küttner GmbH...............................................6, 18, 19

SMS group.......................................................Cover 2

HarbisonWalker International...............................19

Metalex................................................................18, 19

UrbanGold................................................................18

Reprints of articles and advertisements are available, allow 28 days for delivery. PDF pages available by e-mail. Prices on application to the publisher.

Instead of Reader Reply cards, we are now including a contact website address with stories at the sole discretion of the Editor. You may submit your enquiries with the item titles, page and your full address, telephone, fax using the contact form on: www.copperworldwide.com

Magazine Production Toni Barrington, The Magazine Production Company Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5EG, UK Tel: +44 (0)1273 467579 info@magazineproduction.com

Copper is green for the future – Discover new CWDigital ISSUES now!

The next Vol 11 No 3 issue of Copper Worldwide print magazine is published in September 2021. Scheduled features include Hydrometallurgy, Run of Mine Operations, Copper Semis, Energy Efficiency, Extrusion Process Technology, Recycling and Scrap Processing, Events Update, Profiles and Reviews, and more.

The next CWDigital Issue 4 is due out in July 2021. Supporting website www.copperworldwide.com features additional content and event details. Thank you to all advertisers once again.

All correspondence welcome.

Copper Worldwide Vol 11 No 2

EVENT REVIEWS | 3

www.copperwor ldw ide. co m

CRU Wire & Cable 2021 Virtual Conference 18-20 MAY - The CRU Wire & Cable 2021 Virtual Conference attracted over 250 senior representatives from over 30 countries from the world’s cable makers, as well as the insulated wire and cable supply chain. The Energy Wire & Cable Industry Progress & Innovation Session on 20 May included sustainability and decarbonisation, and remote inspection & commissioning.

Energy cable innovation and the importance for a focus on

sustainability was presented by Axel Schlumberger, Senior Vice President of Wire & Cable R&D and Technology, Southwire Company.

12 APR - Vineyard Wind, a joint venture between Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc., and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), announced that Southwire will be a key supplier for the design, manufacturing and installation of the onshore cables for Vineyard Wind

1, due to be the first commercial scale wind farm in the United States.

The project is to be located 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, USA. Southwire’s facility in Huntersville, N.C. will manufacture more than 32 miles of high voltage cable. Projected onshore site completion is Q1 2023.

14 APR - In a CRU Insight, Michael Finch, Head of Wire and Cable for CRU, said that as of 2020, CRU estimates total HV+EHV subsea cable

demand, including demand relating to both offshore wind farms and subsea interconnections, accounted for around 22% of the US$ 8.6 billion (or 305 kt conductor) HV+EHV cable market. Due to the anticipated surge in offshore wind capacity globally, subsea cable demand is set to take off and by 2027 CRU estimates it will account for over 42%, representing a CAGR of 22% between 2020-2027. www.vineyardwind.com www.southwire.com www.crugroup.com

ICA Circular Copper MAY 26 - The International Copper Association’s live, interactive LinkedIn event ‘Circular Copper: Building A Culture of Sustainability Without Waste’ attracted nearly 200 attendees and saw: David McGinty, Global Director, Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE), World Resources Institute; Kunal Sinha, Global Commercial Lead, Glencore Recycling; and Adam Estelle, Director of Rod and Bar, CDA in a Panel Discussion moderated by Laurent Chokoualé Datou, VP of Public Affairs, International Copper Association: Kunal Sinha highlighted Glencore’s Circular Electronics

Partnership (cep website below) involvement, and made the key point that sustainable recycled copper is essential to make the zero carbon transition - decarbonisation is not possible without copper.

The fastest-growing waste stream in the world, e-waste generation is projected to reach 74.7 Mt annually by 2030 from 53.6 Mt in 2019.

There is a need to facilitate the movement of waste for recycling whilst the per nation infrastructure is balanced globally. Glencore is exploring its project options in both the US and UK presently.

David McGinty championed the systems thinking approach, where the goal is to have an economic

system that is inclusive - getting legislative consistency and clarity for the necessary trade is a key to progress here, as well as ensuring end of use items are collected and recycled to a high standard.

Setting up green lanes for material transport makes tactical sense and is in line with the overall strategy.

More heavy industry is now coming into the Circular Economy agenda. PACE (website below) was created in 2018 by the World Economic Forum and is now hosted by the World Resources Institute.

Adam Estelle said U.S. Brass Mills use 60:40 scrap to refined copper feed apart from their wire

rod supply, amounting to 632 kt in 2018 (USGS). He talked about the broad testing regime needed for different copper alloy groups and the problems posed by different contaminants, and used a well-liked tree illustration which elucidated how groups of materials might be processed, perhaps driven by new legislation.

On whether the Copper Mark could be applied in relation to the scrap sector, he believes the market will want to go there eventually, provided the complexities of implementation can be overcome. www.copperalliance.org www.pacecircular.org www.cep2030.org

Roskill Copper 2021 MAY 26 - The Roskill Copper 2021 event asked ‘Copper: Are We At The Dawn Of A New Super Cycle?’

Neal Brewster, Chief Economist at Roskill looked at the pandemic rollout of vaccines, industrial production and trade. Different sectors have been impacted to different extents. The mining sector is achieving record earnings in 2021 but is starting to experience supply chain pressures. The forecast is 6.1% World GDP growth 2021 with a 4.3% GDP rise in 2022 (5.5% China).

Mark Loveitt, President, International Wrought Copper Council said 2020 refined demand was down 2.7 % with Asia ex china down 12%, China up 2.9%, US down 4.7% and EU down 6.6% respectively. The IWCC runs a Fabricator Demand Index (FDI), which generally indicated recoveries in Q4 2020. The conclusion is the pandemic downturn was largely health-related and not economic, and the 2021 outlook is

quite positive.

Dr Emily Brugge, Roskill Copper Analyst said 2020 mine output declined from large producers in 2020, on average by 3% from guidance. The 2021 guidance is up 1% from the 2020 production level.

The early 2021 outlook for Chile and Peru is threatened by increased strike actions brought on by a high copper price, as well as political changes ranging from constitutional and royalties (Chile) to Presidential policies (Peru). Elsewhere companywise, Aurubis (Germany) processed 28% more recycled metal in 2020, and 17% less concentrate, whilst Paranapanema (Brazil) increased its recycled material feed to 16.6% in Q1 versus 8.8% a year prior.

Pan Hong, Senior Copper Analyst at BGRIMM Lilan Consulting, revealed China’s 2020 refined copper output was 9.3 Mt, with a record 4.67 Mt (+32%) refined copper imports.

The domestic mined copper output of 1.55 Mt in 2020 met only 20%

of requirements, with the 2021 forecast being 1.65 Mt. The Q1 2021 concentrate imports were 5.96 Mt, with an annual forecast of 23.4 Mt (+7%). Chinese smelter projects due onstream in 2021 are Jinchuan (bottom blown) and Daye Yangxin Hongsheng (400 ktpy double flash).

In 2022, the four projects comprise Jinguan expansion, Zhongtiaoshan Northern Copper, Yantai Guoxing and Nanguo Copper phase II. The 2020 scrap imports were down 38% y-o-y to 944 kt, but after November’s new standards, they have recovered, with Q1 seeing 363 kt and a forecast of 1,320 kt for 2021.

Giles Dickson, CEO of WindEurope, announced windpower now provided 16% (220 GW) of EU electricity. Wind pays back its CO2 penalty in around 5-8 months (hydro 9 to 13 mths, solar PV 1 to 2 years).

The European Commission wants to reach a 433 GW wind capacity level by 2030 (2020: 180 GW). Presently, a median configuration wind turbine

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uses 2 tonnes of copper per MW. Radoslaw Zydok, Director of Regulatory & Strategic Analysis, KGHM looked at ‘The Cost of Green Transformation’. The company has reduced SO2 emissions by 81% to 931.8 t, and dust by 83% to 75.1 t, in 2019. KGHM is using its CHP plants at 80% efficiency (11 month operation) for both own-use and district heating. The company’s first solar farm came online in December 2020. Two more are in design and three more in predesign phase, amounting to over 100 MW capacity. Following the start-up of the Legnica rotary casting and refining furnace in mid-2019, over 20% of its electrolytic copper production comes from scrap.

Michèle Brülhart, Executive Director of The Copper Mark also presented. www.lilanconsulting.com www.coppercouncil.org www.windeurope.org www.roskill.com www.kghm.com

4 | NEWS In brief…

APR 28 The GHG emissions associated with financial institutions’ investing, lending and underwriting activities are on average over 700 times higher than their direct emissions, according to ‘The time to green finance’, a first-of-its-kind report by non-profit charity CDP, which runs the global environmental disclosure system. www.cdp.net

MAY 25 Ken Zak becomes the new head of the Dürr Group’s Clean Technology Systems division from 1 July. He succeeds Dr. Daniel Schmitt, who also drove the integration of Megtec/Universal, and will focus on exhaust-air purification and noise reduction technologies, and systems for the coating of battery electrodes. www.durr.com

MAR 10 The International Copper Study Group (ICSG) released a new Edition of its biannual Directory of Copper Mines and Plants that provides global capacity and project data. The Directory is available for sale to ICSG member country/ non-member country clients at the single-issue rate of e400/e700 and annual subscription rate of e550/e850. www.icsg.org

MAY 5 Taseko Mines’ next phase of Florence Copper will include the US$ 230 million commercial ISCR facility. Final design engineering and procurement of certain critical components is well underway to ensure a smooth transition into construction once the final Underground Inspection Control (EPA) permit is received later this year.

www. c op p e r wor l d w i de. co m

Kamoa-Kakula set to begin copper production

Good output recovery by African producers

MAY 3 - The Phase 1 KamoaKakula concentrator plant target date for C4 commissioning (milling of ore and first copper concentrate production) has been advanced to end May or early June, several months ahead of schedule. Overall construction of the project’s first phase 3.8 Mtpy concentrator plant is essentially complete, with the majority of the C1 (construction complete) certificates signed off.

The plant is energised with permanent power and C2 commissioning, which involves electrical, control and instrumentation checks, is well advanced.

Water is being circulated in certain areas of the plant, marking the beginning of C3 commissioning.

C3 commissioning involves checking for leaks, certain instrument calibration, control loop checks, and

APR 23 - ICSG Preliminary data released on 23 April indicates world refined copper production increased by about 1.7% in January 2021 compared to January 2020 with primary production (electrolytic and electrowinning) up by 2% and secondary production (from scrap) essentially unchanged. Official Chinese refined production data indicates a growth of 2% in January.

Chilean electrolytic refined output increased by 8.5%. In January 2020 production was still ramping up from smelter upgrades to comply with new environmental regulations.

After taking into account a 16% decline in electrowinning refined production, total Chilean refined copper production (electrolytic and electrowinning) declined by 7.8%.

In Africa, refined production was up by 15% in the D.R. Congo due to the continued ramp-up of new or expanded SX-EW plants, and by 40% in Zambia, where output has recovered from smelters’ operational issues and temporary shutdowns in 2019 and early 2020.

is the precursor to C4 commissioning (hot commissioning), which involves processing ore through the plant to produce a copper concentrate.

Overall plant commissioning is running well ahead of schedule, with the first ore expected to be added to the mill by the end of May 2021.

Lower-grade ore will be fed into the plant during the C4 commissioning phase, to ensure plant performance and copper recovery are satisfactory before increasing the head grade.

Kamoa-Kakula has reached the 3.0 Mt target of mined high- grade and medium-grade ore several months ahead of its pre-feasibility study timeline. Contained copper in the stockpiles increased by approximately 23,000 t in April to a cumulative total of more than 140,000 t. www.ivanhoemines.com

Pirdop seals responsible production APR 26 - Aurubis primary smelter in Pirdop, Bulgaria is its first to successfully complete the Copper Mark certification process and now bears the quality seal. The certification verifies that Aurubis Bulgaria produces copper sustainably. Sites in Hamburg and Lünen will be the next to start the audit process. The Copper Mark requires participants The Copper Mark certificate for Aurubis Bulgaria. to fulfill 32 internationally recognised Photo: Aurubis sustainability criteria, which are assessed independently of each The Copper Mark therefore looks other. These include environmental at a company’s responsible business protection, occupational health and activities as a whole. safety, compliance, and human rights. www.aurubis.com

KCC represents a key part of Glencore’s almost $USD 8 billion investment in the DRC. Its stateof-the-art infrastructure alongside a world-class copper/cobalt ore body makes the operation a key part of the global energy and mobility transitions.

Following its successful ramp-up in 2020, KCC is on track to achieve annualised nameplate capacity of 300 ktpy of copper and 30 ktpy of cobalt production. The operation conforms to the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) standard for cobalt as defined by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI).

Ivan Glasenberg, CEO of Glencore, said: “Glencore remains committed to ensuring its KCC and Mutanda operations play their part.”

www.ukcop26.org

MAY 20 EcuaCorriente, a subsidiary of Chinese consortium CRC-Tongling Nonferrous Metals, expects to produce some 290,000 t of copper concentrate this year at its Mirador mine, a 93% increase compared to last year, when the company was affected by a six-month pandemic-related stoppage, leading to production of just 150,000 t. www.bnamericas.com

www.glencore.com

www.antaike.com

DRC President Tshisekedi visits Kamoto MAY 13 - The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), His Excellency Felix Tshisekedi visited the operations of Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) in Kolwezi, DRC. KCC is a joint venture between Glencore and Gécamines. President Tshisekedi was joined by the Prime Minister, Sama Lukonde, the Minister of Mines, Antoinette N’Samba, the Deputy Governor of Lualaba Province, Fifi Masuka, Albert Yuma, Chairman of Gécamines and other Senior Officials. Ivan Glasenberg, CEO of Glencore and senior representatives from Glencore’s management team, along with Daniel Freihofer - Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland in the DRC completed the delegation.

Zijin world operations report APR 14 - According to Antaike Copper & Copper Fabrication Monthly April 2021, Zijin Mining 2020 annual report states that under incredibly extraordinary circumstances, Zijin produced 40.5 tonnes of gold, 453,000 t of mineproduced copper, and 342,000 t of zinc. Heilongjiang Zijin Copper Co., Ltd produced 131,800 t of copper cathodes in 2020 and the highest monthly output reached 13,600 t. Without increasing equipment, facilities and personnel, the company has increased its designed production capacity from 150,000 t of copper cathodes to 160,000 t, achieving the goal of capacity expansion and efficiency improvement.

After completion of technological upgrade and expansion of Serbia Zijin Copper, 120 kt of mineproduced copper metal is expected to be produced annually and the smelter plant is expected to possess an annual refining capacity of 180 kt of copper metal (with room to increase to 200 kt). Kolwezi Copper Mine in the DR Congo produced 114,265 t in 2020. Bisha Zinc and Copper mine in Eritrea produced 21,725 t of copper.

www.tasekomines.com

MAY 4 The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 1 - 12 November 2021, in partnership with Italy.

The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

www.icsg.org

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ICSG forecasts 3.5% mine output growth

Anglo highlights technology and innovation

MAY 3 - The International Copper Study Group (ICSG) Statistical Committee developed the ICSG view of the world balance of refined copper production and use in late April. After three years of remaining essentially unchanged, world copper mine production, adjusted for historical disruption factors, is expected to increase by about 3.5% to 21.321 Mt in 2021 and 3.7% to 22.1 Mt in 2022. Production remained flat in 2020 as a recovery in production in some countries from constrained output in 2019 (e.g.

Chile and Indonesia) and additional output from projects including those in Panama, Russia and the D.R. Congo helped balance the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

MAY 11 - Anglo American presents a technology and innovation update to the investment community, hosted by Technical Director Tony O’Neill and a number of his team.

Progress on the development and implementation of Anglo American’s suite of technologies, integral to its FutureSmart MiningTM programme, is summarised in the context of Sustainable Mining Plan ambitions, particularly on water and energy targets, and the firm’s pathway to carbon neutral operations by 2040.

Earlier, Anglo American presented its biannual sustainability performance update on 26 April, highlighting among other things the securing of 100% renewable electricity supply across its operations in Brazil, Chile

Recovery In 2021, growth of 3.5% is anticipated as global output is expected to recover from 2020 constrained levels and benefit from increased supply resulting from ramp-ups and planned start-ups. Following a four-year period where only two major copper mines were commissioned, the pipeline of copper mine projects is improving. Major projects starting in 2021/2022 include Kamoa Kakula in the D.R of Congo, Quellaveco in Peru, Spence-SGO (already started), and Quebrada Blanca QB2 in Chile and Udokan in Russia. A number of medium and small projects are also expected to come on stream.

2022 In 2022, additional output from rampup mines that opened in previous years, the start-up of new major projects and expansions, together with an improvement in the global pandemic situation, should sustain a further growth of around 3.7 percent. www.icsg.org

and Peru, which were completed by the agreement announced on 15 April with Engie Energía Perú to provide 100% renewable energy for the Quellaveco copper operation.

Quellaveco is located in the Moquegua region of Peru. It is expected to produce 300,000 tonnes of copper equivalent per year in the first 10 years of operation. Anglo American has every confidence that it will deliver Quellaveco on time and on budget, with first copper production during 2022. The overall investment with partner Mitsubishi is between US$ 5 and 5.3 billion.

Anglo American’s overall copper production y-o-y in Q1 (NR 22 April) increased by 9% to 160,300 tonnes. www.angloamerican.com

Kola MMC investment plans released MAR 18 - Nornickel has allocated US$ 14 million (4 billion roubles) for the upgrade of production assets at Kola MMC in 2021. More than 6,800 units of various equipment will be delivered to the company’s divisions most of it will go to the Severny mine.

A large-scale delivery of primary and auxiliary self-propelled equipment is expected in the second half of 2021.

There is a great amount of work to be done in the Chemical and Metallurgical Workshop. Nornickel has allocated about 300 M roubles for the purchase of new press filters, a reactor, and other equipment.

In summer 2021, the company expects to renew equipment at its unique carbonyl nickel department.

Expenses for the replacement of high-pressure receivers will amount to 118 M roubles. More than US$ 756 k (54 M roubles) will be allocated for the purchase of personal gas analysers for production personnel at Kola MMC. The

systematic renewal of machinery and equipment is a crucial part of improving productivity and safety of production processes at Nornickel’s Kola Division.

APR 19 - In 1Q21, copper output at Nornickel’s operations in Russia decreased 20% y-o-y to 91 kt.

The decrease was attributed to the reduction of feed owing to the temporary suspension of the mines, the Norilsk Concentrator operating at a reduced capacity and the shutdown on March 20th of the metallurgical shop at Kola MMC. Immediately after the shop’s closure, Nornickel began cleaning up the production facilities and the metallurgical units from the coppercontaining materials. This work will last throughout 2021, and the dismantling of production facilities and buildings will start in 2022. www.velesstroy.com www.nornickel.com

Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 APR 27 - The Quebrada Blanca mine is located in Tarapacá Region of northern Chile at an elevation of 4,400 metres, approximately 240 km southeast of the city of Iquique and 1,500 km from Santiago. The Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 (QB2) project is focused on secondary copper extraction from previous leach piles. It passed the half way point in April. The project includes the construction of a new 140,000

tpd concentrator, tailings storage facility, concentrate pipeline, water supply pipeline, desalination plant, concentrate filtration plant and port to produce copper and molybdenum concentrates. It expects to achieve 300,000 t of copper equivalent production per year for the first five years of mine life. First production is expected in the second half of 2022. The project’s capital cost estimate

remains at US$ 5.2 billion, with US$ 450-500 million of additional COVID-19 related costs disclosed so far. For example, the Concentrator Camp currently includes COVID expansion modules. The Remote Integrated Operations Centre is located in Santiago. Mine operator Teck Resources still expects to produce 270 - 290 kt copper in 2021. www.teck.com

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In brief…

APR 21 BHP Olympic Dam copper production for the nine months to 31 March increased by 25 % to 155 kt, reflecting improved smelter performance and stability. The 55 kt March 2021 figure was the highest for five years. The new refinery crane is in the final stages of commissioning. A major smelter maintenance campaign is planned for the first half of 2022. www.bhp.com

MAY 10 The BHP Foundation will donate US$ 2 million to the Indian Red Cross Society as they battle the COVID-19 pandemic. This donation will help them secure and deliver critical medical supplies and services, including the distribution of oxygen concentrators and cylinders, vaccination programs and hygiene materials, to those most at risk. www.bhp.com

APR 14 Zijin Mining Group has been asked to stop work at the RTB Bor copper mine due to non-compliance with environmental standards. The company has been ordered to halt work on the Jama copper mine shaft and to complete a wastewater treatment plant at the mine to avoid polluting the River Pek, a tributary of the Danube. An April 30 deadline was given. www.reuters.com

MAY 11 The SHFE warehouse copper inventory (7 May) was 208,473 t, whilst Shanghai International Energy Echange (INE) held a further 68,058 t.

The LME and COMEX (10 May) held 118,875 t and 64,673 t respectively. The LME currently aims to publish the outcomes of its Discussion Paper on Market Structure (incl. Ring trading) on or around 8 June 2021. www.lme.com

MAR 31 President Biden unveiled a more than US$ 2 trillion infrastructure and economic recovery package, including spending on transportation infrastructure (US$ 621 bn), and water systems and electrical grids (US$ 300 bn). The proposal includes a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers by 2030. www.cnbc.com

APR 29 MMC Norilsk Nickel has released its sustainability figures in 2020. The Nornickel injury rate has fallen to a record level. The Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) reduced further to 0.21 per 1,000,000 man-hours in 2020 from 0.32 in 2019. The total number of occupational accidents decreased 32% y-o-y. Zero injuries remains a top strategic goal. www.nornickel.com

6 | SPOTLIGHT - 21ST CENTURY SMELTING

www. c op p e r wor l d w i de. co m

Smelter capacity growth to average two percent MAR 10 - According to the new Edition of ‘ICSG Directory of Copper Mines and Plants’, from 2021 to 2024, annual copper smelter capacity is expected to grow at an average rate of around 2% per year. China is continuing to expand its copper smelting capacity but at a

slower pace than before. Currently, Chinese annual capacity is seven times higher than in 2000 and is expected to increase by a further 20% by 2024, accounting for 75% of expected world copper smelting capacity growth. The proportion of smelters using Chinese technology

has increased from 2.5% to around 15% in the last 10 years.

On an ex-China basis, over the period 2021 to 2024, new copper smelters or expansions are planned in Indonesia, Iran, Russia and Uzbekistan. A few projects have been announced in other countries

beyond 2024 but are still pending approval. In Indonesia, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the two companies currently developing smelters have notified the Government of delays and are discussing deferrals. www.icsg.org

Satellite analysis sees April smelting recovery MAY 6 - Mining Journal reports that the SAVANT copper platform global activity dispersion index average was 43.6 in April, up from the lowest-ever monthly average of 39.8 in March. “We are seeing the effect of (that) price rally with a strong increase in smelter activity in the latter part of April,” said Marex

global head of analytics Dr Guy Wolf. April’s figures rose from a reading of 39.7 in the first half to average 47.5 in the second half of the month.

The China index rose to 44.3 from 40.7 in March, which had been the lowest since August 2020 (39.3), compared with the recent peak of

55.5 in December. Asia ex-China, which had set a new all-time low with a reading of 34.9 in March, rebounded to 46.6. Activity in North America remained weak, up slightly from 32.3 to 33.1.

In Europe, activities increased to 37.7, up from the record low of 32.4 in March. South America

remained relatively robust, with a reading of 50, up from 47.2 in March. Readings in the activity dispersion index above 50 indicate greater activity levels than average. The platform monitors up to 90% of global copper smelting capacity. www.mining-journal.com

High copper prices driving Indonesia smelter plans MAR 9 - Tsingshan Industry has officially launched its project for building a clean energy base.

This project seeks to develop and construct solar and wind energy plants and supporting facilities in Tsingshan’s Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park and Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park. Tsingshan Industry is committed towards investing and building a 2,000 MW clean energy base in Indonesia within the next three to five years.

Clean energy produced will be used mainly to power the production of raw materials required for the batteries used in electric vehicles.

Tsingshan is also planning to launch a 5,000 MW hydropower project. www.tssgroup.com.cn

MAR 24 - According to a Reuters report, Freeport-McMoRan Inc would sign a US$ 2.8 billion deal with

Unbenannt-1 1

China’s Tsingshan Holding Group (Tsingshan Industry) on March 31 to build a copper smelter in Indonesia’s Weda Bay on Halmahera with an input capacity of 2.4 Mt of copper concentrate and an output capacity of 600,000 t. www.reuters.com

MAY 10 - Nikkei Asia reports that the Tsingshan copper smelter talks are still ongoing. The decision must be made by the end of May to meet the government’s deadline for completing the smelter project

by December 2023. Tsingshan reportedly proposed building the smelter closer to Freeport’s copper and gold mining operations in Grasberg, in Indonesia’s easternmost Papua Province.

If negotiations with Tsingshan break down Freeport will return to its initial plan to build the second

(Manyar) Smelter within the Java Integrated Industrial and Port Estate in East Java Province, near the Gresik smelter operated by PT Smelting, which is minority-owned (25%) by Freeport Indonesia.

Japan’s Mitsubishi Materials holds a 60.5% controlling stake.

Engineering design and other preparations are still underway for the new East Java smelter. The new smelter would be able to process 1.7 Mt of copper concentrate per year, in addition to a US$ 250 million plan agreed in November to expand PT Smelting’s capacity by 300,000 t to 1.3 Mt by the end of 2023. JX Nippon Mining & Metals was due to sell its 5% stake in PT Smelting to FreeportMcMoRan Inc on 30 April.

Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) announced on 12 April the signing

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of a memorandum of understanding with China Enfi Engineering Corp. for a potential third copper smelter (capacity 400 ktpy) in Fakfak regency, West Papua Province. BKPM Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia said in a statement that the government will support the plan and guarantee at least 800,000 t of copper concentrate from Freeport annually. According to Orias Petrus Moedak, president director of Mind ID, which owns a controlling stake in the local operations of U.S. miner FreeportMcMoRan, the Enfi deal means Freeport will have to apply for new permits to increase Grasberg’s production output beyond the planned 3 Mtpy through 2041 previously approved by the government. www.asia.nikkei.com www.nasdaq.com

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Metso Outotec introduces Planet Positive MAR 15 - Sustainability is one of Metso Outotec’s strategic priorities.

The company is committed to limiting global warming to 1.5°C. It has introduced an all-encompassing approach to sustainability, Planet Positive. Covering the environmental, social and financial aspects of sustainability, Planet Positive efforts enforce the company’s purpose to enable sustainable modern life. The Planet Positive portfolio focuses on the most environmentally efficient technologies (>100) in the company’s

customer requirements relate to energy or water efficiency, reduction of emissions, circularity and safety.

Correspondingly, Metso Outotec focuses on minimising the environmental impact of its own operations and supply chain to diminish its ecological footprint.

“There is a growing demand in The Planet Positive campaign. Photo: Metso Outotec our industry for environmentally current portfolio, responding to the efficient solutions,” says Piia Karhu, sustainability requirements of its SVP, Business Development at Metso customers in the aggregates, mining Outotec. and metals refining industries. The www.mogroup.com/sustainability

ENGIE agrees energy transition steps with Chile APR 28 - France-based ENGIE is committed to having 58% renewables in its energy mix by 2030. Its worldwide installed power capacity was 101 GW in 2020. ENGIE presented a comprehensive transformation plan for its operations in Chile, which includes the development of 2 GW of renewable energy capacity and the end of its coalfired power generation activities by 2025 (nearly 1.5 GW). After a virtual meeting between Sebastian

Piñera, President of Chile, and Catherine MacGregor, ENGIE CEO, the Group reaffirmed its commitment of closing six units (0.8 GW) of coal capacity, including two facilities already closed in 2019, and the conversion of the three newest units (0.7 GW) to gas or biomass by 2025.

ENGIE also announced the development of a 2 GW renewable energy portfolio in Chile, representing an additional 1 GW since the last announcement in

2019. To date 0.6 GW is already under construction. The entire plan involves an investment of EUR 1.5 billion by 2025. It will enable ENGIE to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% from its energy production activities in Chile by 2026. In line with the country’s decarbonisation strategy, ENGIE has also reaffirmed its commitment to developing green hydrogen production. The Group is the only company to have developed three pilot projects in the country. www.engie.com

A nation determined to stay green clarity, transparency, and understanding’ (ICTU).

Presently the largest producer of offshore wind energy in the world (2020: 10,428 MW installed capacity), the UK has cut emissions by more than 40% since 1990, the fastest rate in the G7, and is the first major economy to pass laws for net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The UK’s 25 Year

quality, nature recovery, waste and resource efficiency. Its ten point plan for green industrial revolution covers clean energy, transport, nature and innovative technologies.

Global trade in low-carbon goods and services is expected to grow from £150 billion in 2015 to between £2.8-£5.1 trillion in 2050.

world growth of about 3%. Growth of about 4% is expected in China for 2021 and 2022. World secondary refined production is expected to grow in 2021 and 2022 on the basis of continued improvement in scrap availability, after a 4% fall in 2019 and 2020. Global primary electrolytic refined production (from concentrates and SX-EW) is forecast to increase by 2.9% in 2021 and

Camipa. The US$ 6.5 bn Cobre Panama copper-gold mine ranks among the country’s biggest ever investments, and is expected to play a key role in Panama’s post-pandemic economic recovery.

China’s copper smelting capacity set to peak

Some politicians are pushing for an increase to Cobre Panama’s 2% mining royalty, while trade and industry ministry MICI has pledged to strengthen mining institutions. www.bnamericas.com

www.reuters.com

www.ukcop26.org

2022, with SX-EW output presenting lower growth of 0.6% in 2021 and 2.2% in 2022.

Refined copper usage will remain static at 25.088 Mt in 2021, but will rise 3% to 25.829 Mt in 2022. World refined copper balance projections indicate a surplus of about 80,000 t for 2021 and 110,000 t for 2022 respectively. www.icsg.org

Panama seeks better terms with First Quantum MAY 14 - The Panamanian government is renegotiating First Quantum Minerals’ Cobre Panama mining contract, with the aim of reaching a mutually-beneficial deal, according to local mining chamber

Energy transition “We want to align the aspects of People, Economy, and Environment,” explains Roland Harings, “There can be no energy transition without metals, especially copper, in applications in wind turbines, highvoltage cables, electric vehicles, and batteries.” Steps towards preventing the use of fossil fuels in production include the upcoming trial for utilising hydrogen in the primary smelter in Hamburg to replace natural gas in production, whilst at the Aurubis site in Pirdop, Bulgaria, a 10 MW-peak photovoltaic park will be constructed, presently the largest of its kind in Bulgaria.

APR 12 - Copper smelting capacity in China will soon reach a peak as part of efforts to meet the country’s climate pledges, Duan Shaofu, secretary general of the CNIA’s copper branch, told the CRU World Copper virtual conference. China’s smelting capacity rose to about 8.34 million tonnes at the end of 2020, while it had 12.08 Mt of refining capacity. China’s copper smelters and their raw material needs - have grown at breakneck speed in recent years, but authorities have vowed to crack down on ‘blind’ expansion.

The CNIA set a provisional goal of bringing nonferrous metal carbon emissions to a peak by 2025 and cutting them by 40% by 2040.

China aims to reach peak overall emissions before 2030 and to become carbon neutral by 2060.

Duan expects copper scrap’s substitution effect - replacement of other forms of copper - to become more obvious in future as China recycles more. The path to carbon neutrality will boost copper demand to some extent.

Refined production rising by 3% annually MAY 3 - According to the latest ICSG forecast, after increasing by 1.6% in 2020, world refined copper production is expected to rise by about 3% to 25.167 Mt in 2021 and 3.1% to 25.937 Mt in 2022.

World refined production grew by 1.6% in 2020.

In 2021-2022, continued expansion of capacity in China and the D.R. Congo will support higher

MAY 30 - Aurubis AG released its seventh Sustainability Report, entitled FOCUS Sustainability. The report includes the level of achievement for the Sustainability Strategy targets.

The Group is committed to the goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050 at the latest. Aurubis says it financed the Metallo acquisition with a sustainable Schuldschein loan that’s linked to its ESG performance in the EcoVadis rating.

www.aurubis.com

DEC 12 - The UK communicated known as ‘information to facilitate Environment Plan addresses air its new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The NDC commits the UK to reducing economy-wide GHG emissions by at least 68% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. It also includes information on how this target was developed and is quantified,

Persistent focus on green mission

by Aurubis

Copper Worldwide Vol 11 No 2

8 | 21ST CENTURY SMELTING

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Innovating for future generations Phillip Mackey provides a detailed review into the history and operation of the outstanding Aurubis Hamburg copper plant To the question “How do you become one of the best-run plants in the world?” the answer given by any Smelter Site Manager today is invariably “Good design in all plant areas, excellent operations and maintenance with very skilled supervisory and operating personnel.” The Aurubis Hamburg Primary Smelter, admirably fits this description. Reference has been made in these pages on the factors described by Arie de Geus in his book “The Living Company” as influencing the overall strength of an enterprise and the characteristics of a truly successful company.

Aurubis, formerly Norddeutsche Affinerie, also fits well into this category and has done so for over 150 years.

In the beginning The company’s history dates back to 1866 with the founding of Norddeutsche Affinerie AG and consolidation of the early smelting and refining facilities originally located at Elbstrasse in Hamburg. The plant was moved to the more spacious areas on Peute Island in the Elbe River in 1908 - the present location - accompanied by a number of plant expansions.

The history of the Hamburg plant features a number of very significant metallurgical innovations and milestones - too numerous to cover them all here except to note a few key ones - and a winning culture that strives to be the best, starting in the late 1800s. For example, in 1876 Norddeutsche Affinerie was the first company outside of the United Kingdom to install the then new electrolytic copper refining process that had been pioneered at Pembrey in the UK in 1869. The Hamburg plant was similar but somewhat larger compared to that at the Pembrey facility. Hamburg later expanded the tankhouse considerably and today it is one of the largest in the world. Copper electrorefining was perfected at Norddeutsche by Dr. Emil Wohlwill. He also invented a new process for gold and silver, an approach still used to this day. Dr. Wohlwill also experimented with reagent additions to the copper electrolyte and was the first to use chloride additions to help smooth out the copper deposit. All refineries today worldwide continue to use chloride additions, and still follow the main principles originally developed at these two plants.

Early plant Facilities were soon in place to also treat copper scrap in addition to copper concentrate feed, and a lead smelting plant was also built. In the late 1930s, the annual capacity of the plant was about 95,000 of electrolytic copper and 36,000 tonnes of lead. By-products included gold, silver, nickel, tin, bismuth, cobalt and a number of metal salts.

An acid plant was installed in the 1930s and was one of the first acid plants installed in a smelter anywhere in the world. Following rebuilding after World War 2 - bombing had destroyed parts of the plant in 1944 - Germany experienced huge economic growth and the Hamburg plant undertook a number of expansions.

The double contact (double absorption) acid plant at dusk. Photo: Aurubis

By this time, copper concentrates sourced from all over the world were roasted in a number of multiple hearth roasters and smelted in a reverberatory furnace, producing a copper matte containing about 45% Cu. This matte was converted in one of two Peirce-Smith converters.

Blister copper was processed to anodes for the copper refinery. This facility had also been expanded, and due to space limitations, a number of cells were built on the second floor of the tankhouse - likely the only plant with such an arrangement.

The flash era In the late 1960s, with the plant eying a further expansion to meet the growing copper demand, alternative smelting technologies were evaluated - including electric furnace smelting of roasted concentrate and Outokumpu (now Outotec) flash smelting. At this point there were over eight new flash furnaces operating worldwide and this technology was wisely chosen for Hamburg.

The flash furnace was built in a new area of the site. The plant, commissioned in March 1972, had a design capacity of 400,000 tonnes of 27% Cu conc. /yr, or a smelting rate of 50 t conc. /hr, producing 60% Cu matte. The facility included a 2 MW (nominal), 10 m dia. electric furnace for cleaning the flash furnace slag; converter slag was returned to the flash furnace. A new double contact (double absorption) acid plant was also built - likely the first or one of the first double absorption acid plants at a copper smelter.

Concentrate receipts were handled at the nearby port and brought to the plant by barge. Blending facilities were also improved.

In operation, copper concentrates were dried in a new, 30 m long kiln dryer fired with natural gas, with dry concentrate conveyed to storage bins located above the flash furnace. Initially the flash furnace operated with 540 oC preheated air and the reaction shaft was cooled - as at many flash furnaces of the era - with a falling water Copper Worldwide Vol 11 No 2

Aerial view of Aurubis Hamburg. Photo: Aurubis

film. Later oxygen enrichment was introduced and shell cooling elements replaced the water film cooling. Off-gases were cooled in a waste heat boiler rated at 49 t steam (60 bar)/hr. It was reported that cleaned slag at the electric furnace contained about 0.65% Cu. Tapped slag was cast in small ladles and after crushing was used for construction and for river dikes. At the time, there were still two 4.25 m by 11 m Peirce-Smith converters installed, with one blowing, and one on standby. Oxygen enrichment to about 25% O2 was used to assist in skull and scrap smelting.

Blister copper was handled in two rotary anode furnaces with natural gas used for poling. It is understood that the reverberatory furnace remained in use for some time.

By the mid-1990s, concentrate throughput at the flash furnace had been increased to 70 tonnes of conc./hr, or about 600,000 t conc./ yr, primarily by the use of oxygen enrichment supplied by a 240 t/d oxygen plant, along with a number of other plant improvements.

Environmental enhancements introduced included secondary hooding on the converters and side charging at the hood for scrap, a new concentrate storage building (100,000 t capacity), improved performance of the waste heat boiler, gas cleaning

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of dryer off-gas and also anode furnace off-gas, plus improved fugitive gas collection and control.

Additional acid plant capacity was installed with overall sulphur capture at the time of over 99.3%.

Water collection at the site and water treatment was also upgraded. Improvements in emission control and environmental protection had become integral at Aurubis to any proposal to increase plant throughput and anode production.

Further improvements A new tankhouse based on the Isa system was built on a new site next to the flash furnace building in the West area of the site in 1990. The former tankhouse was closed. With a nominal capacity of 172,000 t Cu/yr. (600 cells), an additional 480 cells were soon added to bring the capacity to over 300,000 t Cu/yr.

Converter capacity was increased, now with 3 Peirce-Smith converters, 4.6 m in diameter and 12.2 m in length and fitted with automatic punching. New converter blowers rated at 52,000 Nm3/hr and 1.5 bar were also installed which greatly improved converter operation, now with two converters blowing at a time and one on standby.

Norddeutsche further expanded in the 2000s with the acquisition of number of operations in Europe including: Huttenwerke Kayser AG in Lunen, Germany in 2000, the Belgium copper producer Cumerio in 2008, the smelter in Pirdop, Bulgaria, the wire rod plants at Olen and Avellino and the speciality metals plant at Yverdon-lesBains in Switzerland. Following these acquisitions, stockholders decided to re-name the Company “Aurubis AG” - the new name having being derived from the Latin terms “aurum” for gold and “rubrum” for red - in effect, “red gold”, reflecting the extraordinary value of copper.

In 2010, it was reported the plant treated 1,079,000 t of copper concentrates (this included copper from copper scrap), and acid production was 1,052,000 t.

Current activities At the 2016 Capital Market Day presentation on the occasion of its 150 year Anniversary, Aurubis highlighted a number of accomplishments and further plans. These were further elaborated in the Capital Market Day 2018 presentation which also detailed the Vison 2025 strategy.

Environmental Senator Jens Kerstan inaugurated a 10 MW power-tosteam plant at Aurubis Hamburg with CEO Roland Harings in August 2019. Photo: Aurubis

A proposed bath smelting plant as well as the related copper leaching and electro-winning plants at the Hamburg and Olen sites was discussed, having a capex level of EUR 320 million. This project was later shelved following the acquisition of the Metallo Group of Belgium in June 2020. This acquisition was seen as a key component in the implementation of Aurubis’ multimetal and recycling strategy. For the fiscal year 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2020, the Hamburg facility reported the production of 384,000 t of cathode copper and the treatment of 1,026,000 t of copper concentrates.

Environmental control at the Hamburg plant is excellent. For example, sulphur dioxide emissions at 4 kg of SO2/t of copper produced are amongst the lowest in the industry. Similarly, emissions such as copper in dust (13.6 g/t of copper produced) are also very low. A program to fully collect low level fugitive gas emissions from smelter roof opening is to be completed by 2023.

Innovation continues The Hamburg plant has a long history with many successful “firsts” in the industry. As this article was nearing completion, a very significant new “first” was announced by Aurubis on 27 May 2021. At the end of May, Aurubis commenced

Between 1972 and 2009 a 175% increase in concentrate smelting capacity has been achieved

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testing the use of hydrogen as a replacement of natural gas for copper de-oxidation in the anode furnace. The technical literature in copper includes several reported laboratory tests demonstrating the application of hydrogen at the laboratory scale for the gaseous de-oxidation of anode copper, but this will be the first use of hydrogen for this purpose at a large copper plant.

When commercialised, Aurubis reported that the new process will reduce CO2 emissions at the facility by some 6,200 t CO2/yr. It is estimated by the writer that the plant will require roughly about 1,100 t H2/yr reported to be supplied

by Air Liquide. Further, it is estimated that if production is by electrolysis, the hydrogen will require 62,000 MWh/yr of electricity; this corresponds to roughly 10 MWh/t CO2 saved.

The Aurubis press release noted that hydrogen generated from renewable sources is a sustainable energy source. It is considered that eventually the hydrogen for Hamburg would likely be generated from such sources to avoid carbon dioxide emissions from the hydrogen electricity requirement. Overall, a significant first step towards carbon reduction using hydrogen and another important first for Aurubis. www.aurubis.com

References P. Willbrandt, Operational Results of Norddeutsche Affinerie Copper Smelter, The Paul E. Queneau International Symposium Extractive Metallurgy of Copper, Nickel and Cobalt Volume II: Copper and Nickel Smelter Operations, pp 1361 - 1376, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (1993).

H. Wiehler, Current Status of Production and Expansion Projects of Primary Smelter Aurubis Hamburg, paper at EMC 2011.

Cu 150.0-Tradition, Expertise, Innovation, 1866-2016: The History of the Copper Group, Aurubis AG, Hamburg, 2016.

Aurubis Capital Market Day 2016 presentation, Aurubis AG, Hamburg, Germany.

Aurubis Capital Market Day 2018 presentation, Aurubis AG, Hamburg, Germany.

Hamburg Plant: Emission Facts & Figures, Factsheet February 2019, Aurubis AG, Hamburg, Germany; Environmental Protection in the Aurubis Group - Hamburg and Lunen sites, 2017, Aurubis AG, Hamburg, Germany.

Aurubis-First copper anodes produced with hydrogen, Press release, 27 May 2021, Aurubis AG, Hamburg.

Author: Dr Phillip John Mackey is an internationally recognised expert in the production of non-ferrous metals, especially copper and nickel smelting and refining.

10 | A CLEAN GREEN REVOLUTION

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A green economy that began long ago The term ‘Green Economy’ is often used and many times misused, without knowing its true meaning.

It is therefore necessary, for the purposes of this article, to briefly clarify the concept …

Green economy: economic form in which public and private investments aim to reduce carbon emissions and pollution, to increase energy and resource efficiency, to avoid the loss of biodiversity and to conserve the ecosystem (encyclopedia Treccani).

From this neologism which came into force in 2015, we can start many digressions which, in the case of a company such as Continuus-Properzi, translate into a specific branch of the green economy: Green-tech. This is defined as clean energy at the service of ecology, even if only in part, making the most of or making use of, clean technologies.

The argument is quite vast but what we are interested in highlighting in this article is the presence of this ‘green’ connotation within the Properzi organisation before it became an actual topic. The company has always worked hard in the research and study of technology aimed at outlining green-tech in different facets - precisely a green economy that began long ago. We would therefore like to illustrate the Properzi technology in parallel with some principles/themes that distinguish this type of green economy as they occurred chronologically during the company’s history, as follows: Circular economy 2008 - Already during the 1980s, Properzi applied a sort of circular economy, systematically reusing resources and eliminating waste in following the logic of a ‘circular’ economy. In that era, the process fluids used in the first Properzi Casting and Rolling lines for the production of lead strip were, and continue to be, closed-loop circuits so as not to be dispersed into the environment.

Moreover, the production waste, namely the lead strip trimmings, was, and continues to be, directly returned to the furnaces for re-melting, thereby avoiding any type of process scrap and therefore any waste.

Energy efficiency Currently, the ‘Continuus-Properzi Furnaces & Combustion Division’ is dedicated entirely to the engineering, design, construction and shipment of furnaces (we also organise the transportation of over-sized shipments) that serve CCR (Continuous Casting & Rolling) lines for the production of aluminium and copper wire rod.

Let’s focus our attention for a moment on ‘recycling’ and therefore on the production of copper wire rod starting from scrap. Recycling of copper scrap is one of the best examples of a circular economy. Melting, refining and casting the desired final product according to Properzi knowhow, accumulated during 30+ years of experience, allows great economic savings and avoids additional exploitation of the mines.

Properzi’s scrap recycling technology fits perfectly into this context, allowing greater energy efficiency as the production phases are significantly reduced.

Here is a clear comparison of both technologies, Properzi’s technology versus traditional recycling technology:

This technology requires special furnace typology that we will describe in a detailed manner below: 2012 - One furnace, in particular, benefits from energy efficiency; it is a Properzi scrap refining furnace for the production of copper wire rod. This furnace, having a top loading configuration, can accommodate larger quantities of scrap and requires fewer door openings during the scrap loading process, which further improves its efficiency.

With the new geometrical configuration of the furnaces, by placing a large door in an elevated position served by an inexpensive skip charging machine, we are able to achieve significantly improved thermal efficiency due to the enormous quantity of Cu scrap loaded through the charging door (patented by Giulio Properzi, inventor of several new solutions serving the non-ferrous industry). The first furnace with a capacity of 250 tons per day was produced that same year.

Several top-loading furnaces with capacity of 100 tons per day have been installed since then. When the charging door is on top of the furnace body, the scrap can be conveyed by a belt through a

Properzi Vert-Melt Furnace in operation at 5 tph rate EC Rod. Photo: Properzi

Scrap Refining Furnace 250 tpd - from the engineering to the production. Photo: Properzi

smaller door thereby minimising the escape of heat and pollutant fumes.

2015 - Energy efficiency is also exemplified by another type of Properzi furnace, a melting furnace that is part of the plants for the production of aluminium wire rod, called the Properzi Vert-Melt (Vertical Melting) Furnace.

The Vert-Melt Furnace is a combination of a vertical melting furnace (shaft) with a static receiving/holding chamber. It offers several advantages including: much higher energy efficiency compared to any type of reverberatory furnace (1 to 1.5 % versus 3 to 5 %), lower emissions, and 25% less gas consumption. The efficiency of the furnace is significantly increased thanks to the recycling of the heat absorbed by the molten metal from the combustion of the main burners, but also from the fumes coming from the receiving chamber.

Rolling mill machining operation at the workshop. Photo: Properzi

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Green business The meaning that Continuus-Properzi gives to this chapter of the green economy is further

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Net-zero GHG pledge for Kamoa-Kakula MAY 5 - Ivanhoe Mines has pledged to achieve net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Robert Friedland, Ivanhoe Mines’ Executive Co-Chair, announced at the 2021 Goldman Sachs Copper Day. Since the

Kamoa-Kakula mine and concentrator plant already are powered by clean, renewable hydrogenerated electricity, the focus of the company’s net-zero commitment will be on electrifying the project’s mining fleet with new, state-of-theart equipment powered by electric batteries or hydrogen fuel cells.

A 2020 independent audit of KamoaKakula’s greenhouse gas intensity metrics performed by Hatch Ltd. of Mississauga, Canada, confirmed that the project will be among the world’s lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of copper produced. www.ivanhoemines.com

Ivanhoe in SNEL hydropower partnership APR 26 - Ivanhoe Mines Energy DRC, a sister company of Kamoa Copper SA, signs a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in a public-private partnership with the DRC’s state-owned power company La Société Nationale d’Electricité (SNEL) to upgrade Turbine 5 at the existing Inga II hydropower

facility 1,400 km away from Kamoa-Kakula on the Congo River.

Originally equipped between 1977 and 1982, Inga II has been running for approximately 40 years. Four of its eight turbines have been refurbished. Turbine 5 is one of the remaining four that are awaiting an upgrade. An estimated

output of 162 MW is expected to be unlocked any surplus power produced will be distributed on the national power grid. Upgrading of the Mwadingusha hydropower plant (around 250 km away from K-K) is nearing completion to generate 78 MW of hydropower for the first two phases. www.ivanhoemines.com

RE100 plants is objective for SKC FEB 5 - A 44 ktpy capacity SK nexilis copper foil factory project is anounced in Malaysia.

Chosen location Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah Province in the northern part of Borneo Island, offers a low power supply rate and has a large-sized port and an airport, as well as a suitable 400,000 m2 plot. In an electrodeposited copper manufacturing process, the copper foil is deposited on a titanium rotating drum from a copper solution where it is connected to a large DC voltage source.

A large part of Malaysia’s power generation relies on renewable energy like hydraulic power generation. The six SK affiliates, including parent company SKC, have announced their resolve to push forward with RE100 (a 100% by 2050 renewable consumption commitment, with at least 60% by 2030), overseen by Brusselsbased charity CDP, which has run its global environmental disclosure systems since 2000.

SK nexilis also plans to install an automated facility. It is already using unmanned

transportation vehicles and robots in Factory-4 in Jeongeup, which has started commercial operations. Based on this experience SK nexilis plans to upgrade Factories-5/6 accordingly. Follow-up investments in Malaysia, Europe, and the United States are under consideration. According to SNE Research, the EV battery markets are expected to grow by 41% and 38% av, respectively, until 2025. www.there100.org www.skc.kr

ICSG Secretariat copper concentrates findings APR 30 - According to the ICSG recently discussed data, copper content in the global output of copper concentrates stagnated at around 16.5 Mt Cu per year (peak 2018: 16.7 Mt) on average in 2017-2020. An important part of the production comes from many countries with low output. Contained sulphur was an estimated 20.03 kt in 2020 and iron was 15.4 kt. Copper content in exports fell 8 per cent in 2020. Chile and Peru

account for 56% of export trade. China, Japan and the Korean Republic together receive 74% of imports. Impurities in copper concentrates exported in 2020 were 23.8 Mt. Only 9 of the 56 copper mines with the largest reserves presented ore grades over 1% copper. Average copper ore grades in Chile are down from 1.4% in 1999 to 0.67% in 2019. The country exported a record 12.8 Mt in gross weight at 26.7% Cu content that year.

Reported antimony, fluorine, bismuth, mercury and arsenic content rose significantly between 2017 and 2019.

Global copper smelter capacity is forecast to achieve 25 Mt Cu by 2023, with China’s capacity set to exceed 10 Mtpy by 2023. Carbon emissions from copper smelters might be reduced with less smelters approved in the future, according to CNIA.

emphasised through one of its greatest and most celebrated achievements, that is the duration of its equipment (plants) over time. There are Properzi lines that date back more than sixty years still in operation today. Therefore, we like to think that our plants are somehow ‘green’ from the perspective that they can always be revamped and therefore ‘modernised’ at any time.

We are pleased to confirm that even for our older machinery, placed in operation five, six or seven decades ago, we have kept the complete technical file for each piece of equipment including component dimensions, flow rate charts, general drawings, data, etc. This is our way of keeping alive all the Properzi equipment that has served or still serves our clients.

We can say that in addition to highlighting green business, Continuus-Properzi also displays a green vision which is strongly oriented towards innovation through their research and development. The job of the R&D department is to

optimise the efficiency of Properzi plants, making them more and more competitive while continuously limiting their consumption of energy.

with energy-saving control techniques, for example: evening deactivation and minimised heating phase, guarantee the reduction of energy requirements as well as integrated efficiency.

The machines in our workshop are of different varieties (Hermle C60 V Dynamic, Hermle C40 U Dynamic, FTP Romin, and DMG Mori CTX range 200 CT) and each of them is dedicated to a specific type of operation where they produce the many components which are then assembled to build our machines and complete lines.

To conclude, perhaps our company is not completely green according to the current characteristics of the modern Green Economy, but we are proud to declare that we have spanned more than seventy years in which green economy and engineering have interpenetrated one another, thereby defining who we are and what the world has come to know as CONTINUUS-PROPERZI.

2020 - This year we have refined and implemented our Technical Consultancy service - outlined in different solutions: from the basic service via e-mail to the most advanced remote service resulting from the fundamental principles prescribed by Industry 4.0. After evaluation of existing systems, this service can be applied in order to obtain greater efficiency in consumption, considerable economic savings, and actual improvement in production performance.

To date, our company has invested large sums of capital in the purchase of the latest generation of machine tools, which make use of energy recovery systems and optimally sized refrigerant systems. The combination of these factors along Copper Worldwide Vol 11 No 2

www.icsg.org

www.properzi.com

12 | COPPER FOR THE EV AGE

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The use of copper in EV The market for Electric Vehicles will see a dynamic decade. This will drive a substantial increase in copper demand, mainly, but not exclusively, through the medium of copper foil, writes Jonathan Barnes In 2020, the market for PHEVs and EVs (of greatest significance to metal markets) was characterised by a markedly different structure from that of the automotive industry as a whole, with a number of car manufacturers - such as Tesla and many Chinese manufacturers - having gained significant market shares despite their comparatively small share of automotive sales as a whole. While largely self-contained, the Chinese market has been of particular importance to EVs, and as of 2020, Chinese manufacturers are estimated to account for nearly 50% of total units produced.

Thinner foils The dominant technical trend in electro-deposited foil industry, which is particularly pertinent for the development of lithium-ion batteries for the electric vehicle market, is the production of progressively thinner thickness foils. Such foils are already technically achievable in small batches, but this must also be accomplished in larger production runs where the manufacturing yields are high enough to justify the cost and effort. Electric vehicle manufacturers want high-capacity and light-weight batteries to give their next generation automobiles sufficient performance and range without the weight penalty of a heavy battery.

The downsizing of foil thicknesses saves weight, but also permits a greater density of cells (i.e. more foils per battery, but each of a lesser weight) that creates the extra capacity and power to give the desired performance and range metrics. Thus, to a large extent a reduction in average foil thickness is offset by a greater area of foil per battery. For foil makers therefore, the ability to produce thinner foils with higher yields will give them significant comparative advantage and leverage with lithiumion battery manufacturers serving the EV sector.

The anode, that accounts for a battery’s electrical and chemical stability, is composed of a copper foil that is coated with a graphite material. How well the foil bonds to the graphite coating mixture determines the structural stability of a battery. The foil also serves as a conduit along which electrons travel. So, with its intrinsic high heat conductivity the foil is a channel through which a battery releases the heat generated inside to the outside.

The thinner this foil is, the thicker the graphite can become, which translates into a greater energy density and a lighter battery weight.

According to SK Nexilis, one of the largest South Korean producers, when the thickness of the copper foil is halved from 8 micrometres to 4 micrometres, batteries become 3-5% lighter and 1-3% stronger. This creates the extra capacity and power to give the desired performance (acceleration, cruising speed, top speed, etc.) and range metrics that EV makers want their models to possess to make them an attractive proposition to the car buying public.

The major players in the electro-deposited copper foil business include SK Nexilis, Doosan, Lee Chang Yung, Taiwan Copper Foil, Co-Tech Copper Foil and Nan Ya Plastics. There are

The CUPRA Born is the brand’s first all-electric vehicle. It is delivered net CO2 neutral. UK deliveries begin in 2022

a large number of players in China including Kingboard Copper Foil Holdings, Jiangxi Copper, Luoyang Daye, Nuode, Anhui Tonnguan, Jia Yuan Science and Technology, Gelon and Tongling Non-Ferrous Metal Group. A number of these companies are now initiating phase II or even phase III expansions to their original plants while the list of new entrants also continues to grow.

Chinese competitors are able to exploit their cheaper labour and electricity costs to compensate for their lower productivity of shorter narrowwidth foils.

Supply constraints In 2021, such has been the strength of demand for electrodeposited copper foil for EV batteries that the Asian market (outside China) is now facing a shortage of supply. Although a number of foil mill expansions and new foil mills are now underway in Taiwan, South Korea and Malaysia as well as in Mainland China, supply cannot be brought on stream quick enough. One new foil mill has started production in Hungary and another one is being built. No new foil mills have yet been commissioned in North America, however it is only a question of time before this happens. EV battery plants need just in time delivery and this cannot be logistically guaranteed from remote sources of supply in Asia or Europe.

Studies estimate that all types of passenger EVs require on average an extra 5 kg of high voltage wire within the wiring harness compared to a standard internal combustion engine vehicle.

This is to connect the drivetrain of the EV from the high voltage battery to the invertor, and then from the invertor to the electric motors.

The length of the high voltage harness from the battery to the invertor is relatively long, usually running underneath the car, while the distance from the invertor to the motors is relatively short, within the engine compartment. In commercial vehicles, the consensus view is that an extra 10 kg of high voltage wire would be required. It is likely that aluminium will be a viable alternative to copper in the high voltage part of the harness to realise weight (and cost) reduction gains since these designs have already been developed and specified into vehicles.

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Charging infrastructure For the EV revolution to become a reality it is selfevident that the charging cable infrastructure must be built out at least as quickly as the growth in the EV fleet, if not even faster. All EV users will have a slow charging cable to use at home, usually overnight, but they will also need a broad network of charging stations across the country. This would include workplaces, kerbside parking, car parks, train stations, airports, shopping centres, supermarkets, petrol stations and motorway service stations, etc. The majority of these charging stations would also be slow charging, though those at petrol stations and motorway service stations would more fit into the category of highpower rapid chargers at strategic locations for multiple EVs. Potential owners of EVs need to be reassured that their local and national charging networks are sufficiently densely covered that it will not constrain their ability to travel and recharge.

The ideal characteristics of an EV charging cable are that it should be abrasion resistant, able to withstand vehicle drive over, impervious to water, bend cycle resistant, coilable, thermal stress resistant, halogen free and flame retardant.

They should also include pilot cores for communication between the road vehicle and the charging electronics. Larger cablemakers now offer designs that conform to the adopted Europe, US and Chinese standards and are available from multiple manufacturing plant locations.

The most important characteristics of charging cable infrastructure are that it must be mechanically robust, electrically safe, convenient and light weight, financially viable and theft proof. The last attribute is often overlooked but it would be desirable if such cables were retractable after use, so they were not freely accessible to be repeatedly cut and removed by opportunistic thieves for their scrap metal value, especially with metals prices rapidly recovering to elevated levels. www.roskill.com

Jonathan Barnes

Author: Jonathan Barnes, Principal Consultant, Copper at Roskill.

E-mail: jonathan@roskill.com

14 | CONTRACTS & PEOPLE In brief…

APR 22 The EU has cleared the Aurubis and TSR proposal announced in November, allowing for a joint venture (TSR 60 %, Aurubis 40 %) to unite and enhance cable recycling activities of Aurubis subsidiary Cablo Metall-Recycling und Handel GmbH in Fehrbellin (Cablo) and TSR in Gelsenkirchen to recover copper granules and plastics. www.aurubis.com

DEC 18 Rüdiger Schury has become the new Managing Director of hpl-Group. He succeeds Bernd Voshaar, who has stepped down after 35 years to become chairman of the Group’s supervisory board. hplGroup is a specialist for strip processing and machining systems. It worked on modernisation of a 12-roller mill in cooperation with Mills & more in 2020. www.hpl-group.de

MAY 13 China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd. operational results for Q1 2021 revealed a copper production increase to 22,191 tonnes (+37% y-o-y). The firm’s copper output had increased by 31% to 82,059 t in 2020, with 22,742 t output in the fourth quarter. Commercial production at its Jiama copper gold Phase II Expansion began 3 July 2018. www.chinagoldintl.com

MAY 18 According to Antaike Copper & Copper Fabrication Monthly May 2021, during May there are maintenance checks in TNMG, Yunnan Copper Company, JNMC and Yanggu Xiangguang Copper Company. Recently, 15 large copper smelters jointly announced that total purchase of copper concentrates in 2021 will be reduced by 1.26 Mt (c. 300 kt Cu). www.antaike.com

MAY 18 China imported 912,000 t of refined copper in the first quarter of 2021, with 355,000 t coming in March (+20.26% y-oy), helping driving the import from negative to positive year on year in the first quarter. From January to March, imports of copper concentrate totalled 5.961 Mt, up 7.48% y-o-y, with March imports of 2.171 Mt, up 22.04% y-o-y. www.antaike.com

From January to March, China imported 364,000 t of recycled copper (material weight), up 73.39% y-o-y. In March, the import volume of recycled copper was 172,000 t, up 90.57% y-o-y. The import volume development reflects the new import policy maturing and moves to reduce Chinese dependence on copper concentrate raw material supply. www.antaike.com

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Groundbreaking Udokan Copper project updates

Summary of Jiangxi Copper activity in 2020

DEC 30 - Udokan Copper (previously Baikal Mining Company) is established to develop the Udokan copper deposit in the Kalarsky district of the Transbaikal region in Russia. Processing of Udokan ores is based on a flotationhydrometallurgical flowsheet.

Udokan Mining and Metallurgical Plant will produce cathode copper and sulphide concentrate. The production output is projected at 125,000 tonnes per year:

APR 14 - According to its latest Annual Report, Jiangxi Copper Corporation (JCC) produced 1.64 million tonnes (+5.54% y-o-y) of copper cathode and 5.12 Mt (+10.6% y-o-y) of sulphuric acid across its Guixi Smelter, Jiangxi Copper (Qingyuan) Company Limited, JCC Hongyuan Copper Industry Co., Ltd. and Zhejiang Jiangtong Fuye Heding Copper Co., Ltd. smelters (4) in 2020.

The output of copper processed products was 1.47 Mt (+22.9% y-o-y).

The production plan for 2021 is to produce 1.73 Mt of copper cathodes, 97.56 t of gold, 1,679 t of silver, and 1.75 Mt of copper semis.

Notably, Jiangxi Copper Huabei (Tianjin) Company Limited completed 220,000 t of copper rod production line and put them into operation, whilst construction of the JCC Guoxing (Yantai) Copper Company Limited 180,000 t copper smelting project started on 18 December 2020.

APR 7 - The sixth ore-grinding mill made by Outotec is installed in the grinding department building at the construction site of the Udokan Mining and Metallurgical Plant.

The six mills installed in the building will crush ore to particles with a size of less than 170 microns for subsequent transfer to the flotation line. Two semi-autogenous grinding mills and 4 regrind ball mills will be used at the first stage of the Udokan project providing processing capacity of 12 Mtpy.

MAR 25 - Udokan Copper LLC starts the installation of equipment at the construction site of the thickening and decantation area, where the bulk concentrate, which has undergone atmospheric leaching, will undergo the thickening procedure in special tanks. The liquid fraction, in the form of rich solutions, is sent for further processing

to the hydrometallurgical plant. After the countercurrent decantation, the solid sediment is sent to sulphide flotation (beneficiation method).

The final sulphide concentrate is thickened and filtered. The result is a commercial sulphide copper concentrate with a copper content of about 45%.

FEB 25 - Udokan Copper starts the installation of vertical metal structures for the EW Building.

More than half of the metal frame of the SX Building has already been installed. In the SX Building, copper will be removed from aqueous solutions to be sent to electrowinning. According to German Mironov, General Director of Udokan Copper, a number of technologies are envisaged at the stage of hydrometallurgical production that have not yet been implemented at Russian enterprises.

The process line for SX process of the hydrometallurgical plant will be formed from modules assembled at the manufacturer’s plant for simpler construction.

Since 2006, Udokan copper has had and developed its own pilot plant for integrated process and analytical support of exploration works and deposit appraisal, for pilot plant tests and optimisation of the Udokan deposit ore processing flow sheet. www.bgk-udokan.ru

Sulphur capture contract awarded by Nornickel APR 16 - Nornickel has signed a contract with Velesstroy for a range of construction services as part of its sulphuric acid neutralisation project at Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant. This is a new milestone of the Sulphur Project initiatives, which form a part of the Fresh Air national project. The initiative to be rolled out at NMP relies on sulphur dioxide recovery to produce sulphuric acid as well as gypsum following its subsequent neutralisation with natural limestone.

The sulphur dioxide capture is set to reach at least 99% at the affected flash smelters, reducing emissions in Norilsk by at least 45% vs 2015.

Velesstroy will build a sulphuric acid storage, limestone reception and crushing facility, slaked lime production facility, and sulphuric acid neutralisation facility. In the latter, the contractor will install 24 units

for slaked lime and sulphuric acid mixing to neutralise and transform sulphuric acid into harmless gypsum slurry. Velesstroy is also going to erect process pipe racks, lay pipelines and service lines. Contract scope includes the supply of equipment and materials, construction and installation, precommissioning, and comprehensive t e s t i n g s u p p o r t . N o r n i c ke l is planning to invest US$ 5.5 billion in this and other environmental initiatives, including waste collection and land rehabilitation in the Norilsk Industrial District, construction of treatment facilities, and safe waste management.

Nornickel has embarked upon an initiative to achieve major environmental improvements. www.velesstroy.com www.nornickel.com

Copper Worldwide Vol 11 No 2

Awards The ‘research and development and application of new generation large and super large 680m 3 flotation equipment’ won the first prize of the China Nonferrous Metals Industrial Science Technology Award. Also, JCC ‘key technology and industrialization of copper anode slime associated rare and precious metals collaborative green extraction’ won the first prize of the Jiangxi Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award.

Environmental project-wise, the Report says Guixi smelter is seeing reformation of a series of tail gas desulfurisation, reformation of fluorine removal facility in the sulphuric acid workshop, and addition of electric demisting to the tail gas of second sulphuric acid series. Humon Smelting is Investing RMB 11.95 million to upgrade and renovate the smelting ring gas collection and acid-making exhaust treatment facilities. The waste gas was deeply purified by adding bag dust collector, adding gas collecting device, reforming washing spray tower and adding denitrification facilities. www.antaike.com www.en.jxcc.com

CONTRACTS & PEOPLE | 15

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Kamoa-Kakula smelter comes a step nearer

New Monchegorsk refining project outlined

MAR 29 - Following a successful notes of fering, Ivanhoe Mines announces oppor tunities to accelerate future expansions at Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including accelerating the Phase 3 concentrator expansion from 7.6 Mtpy to 11.4 Mtpy and fast-tracking additional hydropower upgrades.

Together with equal partner Zijin Mining, Ivanhoe Mines has already accelerated the Phase 2 expansion to begin production in Q3 2022 and bring copper production to approximately 400 ktpy. Kakula is expected to produce an extremely high-grade, clean copper concentrate (containing over 55% copper) that will be highly coveted by smelters around the world. Metallurgical test work indicates that the Kakula concentrates contain extremely low arsenic levels by world standards, at approximately 0.01%.

The management team also is evaluating a potential direct-toblister smelter that could bring numerous economic benefits and

MAR 22 - Nornickel plans to

The Glogow I smelter and Glogow II smelter both use the technology of single-stage flash smelting of copper concentrates directly to blister copper. Photo: KGHM

further reduce the project’s Scope 3 emissions. It is based on Outotec direct-to-blister furnace technology suitable for treating Kakula-type concentrates with relatively high copper/sulphur ratio, and low iron.

China Nerin Engineering acted as the main engineering consultant with Outotec. The smelter design capacity is between 750,000 and 1 Mtpy of concentrate feed, producing in excess

of 400 ktpy copper in the form of blister and anode, with a capital cost in the region of US$ 600 million to be jointly financed with Zijin Mining.

The power requirement is approximately 35 MW. On 26 April, Ivanhoe announced it had signed an Agreement with SNEL releasing an additional 162 MW of hydropower (see below).

potential of the plant, introducing the most advanced technologies in the development of mining and processing of raw minerals.

The program of modernisation and reconstruction of all structural divisions of JSC Almalyk MMC provides for investments in the amount of more than US$ 2 billion.

The project for the development of the Yeshlik-I field is planned to be implemented in two stages. In the 1st stage (2020–24) it is planned to build an open pit at the Yeshlik-I deposit and a processing plant, CPP3, with a capacity of 60 million tons of ore per year. As a result of this first stage, the volume of cathode

Khatoon Abad smelter modernisation NOV 15 - Several development capacity for producing copper anode projects were inaugurated by President Hassan Rouhani in the southeast of Iran in May 2020. The projects at Khatoon Abad Copper Complex in Kerman Province included increasing the capacity of copper smelting in the complex, building a copper concentrate storage, construction of a sulphuric acid production plant, and an oxygen supply unit. The complex’s

rises by 50 percent to 120,000 t, and the country’s copper smelting capacity rises to 400,000 t. Kerman’s Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex and Khatoon Abad Copper Complex produced an aggregate of 313,784 tons of copper anode in 2019, and NICICO reported a 121,202 t combined total in a four month period in mid-2020. www.nicico.com

www.nornickel.com

Mantoverde orders key equipment JUN 1- FLSmidth received a key

copper produced by the plant from local raw materials will be increased from 108,000 tons to 290,000 tons, gold from 15 tons to 38 tons, and silver from 96 tons to 203 tons.

In the 2nd stage (2021–25) it is planned to increase and reconstruct the production capacity of the copper smelter. RHI has started construction of CPP-3. Key infrastructure and roads are being built. In addition, 1.3 million cubic meters of earthworks were completed as part of the construction of the factory. RHI is part of Ronesans Endustri Tesisleri İnsaat San. ve Tic. A.S., based in Istanbul, Turkey.

mineral processing technologies order, which was partially booked in Q1 2021. The majority of the close to DKK 200 M value is booked in Q2 2021. Delivery is expected by end H1 2022. The customer is Ausenco Chile Ltd., lump-sum turnkey contractor for the Mantoverde Development Project owned by Mantos Copper Holding.

Mantoverde will produce 106,000 t Cu and 33,000 oz of gold annually.

The range of equipment and technologies includes the primary gyratory crusher, SAG mill, ball mill, traditional flotation cells, column cells, thickeners, cyclones and pumps. The flotation tailings and slimes thickeners will be designed to optimise the recovery of process water. In total around 4,700 m3/hr overflow water will be available for reuse, a saving that supports FLSmidth’s MissionZero sustainability goal. FLSmidth will also be able to provide comprehensive, longterm operational support at the site, 400 km south of FLSmidth Service Supercenter in Antofagasta.

www.ronesans.com

www.flsmidth.com

www.ivanhoemines.com

JSC Almalyk invests in processing units MAY 2020 - Renaissance Heavy Industries (RHI) has been engaged as a general contractor for the turnkey construction of the CPP-3 copper processing plant for the Almalyk MMC JSC in Uzbekistan.

RHI will sign two contracts: for design and engineering work until the end of 2020, and for the supply of turnkey equipment.

On May 26, 2020 President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan signed a decree ‘On additional measures to expand the production of non-ferrous and precious metals based on the deposits of Almalyk MMC’ no. PP-4731. Its purpose is to increase the production and export

construct a new copper refining facility in Monchegorsk. The new facility will be able to produce up to 150 ktpy of copper, which is double the capacity of the smelting shop it closed in March.

The plant will use the state of the art roasting-leaching-electroextraction technology, observing the highest environmental standards. There will be a high level of mechanisation, automation, with a much smaller proportion of manual labour than in the closed shop. Closing the smelting shop will reduce sulphur dioxide emissions in Monchegorsk to less than 30 ktpy in 2021.

Wieland U.S. recycling and refining plant MAY 27 - Wieland is to invest US$ 100 million in a recycling and refining center in North America.

The site will leverage the latest and most efficient technology to enable the recycling of a broad range of metals and alloys. The recycling center will be located in Shelbyville, KY and employ approx. 75 people.

Operations are expected to commence in late 2022.

Copper Worldwide Vol 11 No 2

Hub facility The new site will serve as a hub for closed-loop recycling and a refining center of third-party scrap utilising state of the art equipment. The investment furthers Wieland’s commitment to empowering its customers with sustainable, carbon neutral products and solutions. www.wieland.com

16 | 2020 MANAGERIAL REVIEW

Los Bronces boost for Anglo American APR 22 - Anglo American copper production increased by 9% to 160,300 tonnes, due to strong operational performance at both Los Bronces and Collahuasi. Production from Los Bronces increased by 15% y-o-y to 78,800 t, with higher water availability resulting in a 63% increase in plant throughput, partially offset by planned lower grade (0.72% vs 0.98%). At Collahuasi, attributable production increased by 8% y-o-y to 71,600 t, due to a sustained increase in plant performance resulting in higher throughput and recoveries as well as planned higher ore grade (1.26% vs 1.20%).

Chilean challenge for BHP units

CIGO is a room where operators remotely manage some of the mining processes, like drilling and crushing. Photo: Anglo American

Full year production guidance is unchanged at 640,000-680,000 t. www.angloamerican.com

FCX restarts Chino operations APR 22 - According to Freeport-McMoRan FirstQuarter 2021 Results, capital expenditures totalled US$ 0.4 billion (including approximately US$ 0.3 bn for major projects) in Q1 2021. Capital expenditures for 2021, excluding Indonesia smelter expenditures, are expected to approximate US$ 2.3 bn, including US$ 1.4 bn for major projects primarily associated with underground development activities in the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia. First-quarter 2021 copper sales were 825 M lb (Q1 2020: 729 M lb) of copper, primarily reflecting continued progress of the ramp-up of underground mining at PT Freeport Indonesia (PT-FI), partly offset by timing of shipments.

During first-quarter 2021, mining activities at the Chino mine (USA) were restarted at a rate of approximately 100 M lb copper per year (or 50 percent of capacity). During first-quarter 2021, Cerro Verde’s concentrator facilities in Peru exceeded planned milling rates and averaged 390,100 t ore per day.

The El Abra (Chile) large sulphide resource could potentially support a major mill project similar to facilities constructed at Cerro Verde in 2015. FCX continues to evaluate a largescale expansion at El Abra to process additional sulphide material and to achieve higher copper recoveries. www.fcx.com

Glencore records moderate rise in output APR 29 - Glencore’s First Quarter 2021 Production Report says own-sourced copper production of 301,200 tonnes was 3% higher than in Q1 2020, mainly relating to productivity improvements and mine plan sequencing at South American operations including Collahuasi, Antamina and Antapaccay. Own-sourced zinc production of 282,600 t was 13,000 t (4%) lower than Q1 2020, mainly relating to lower grades at Kazzinc’s Maleevsky mine and mine sequencing at Kidd. Attributable Collahuasi copper production of 71,700 t was 8% higher

than Q1 2020, reflecting higher milling throughput. Similarly for Antamina, its 35,800 t was 8% higher than Q1 2020, due to mine sequencing. Antapaccay in turn recorded a 5% increase to 59,300 t year-on-year. Mine sequencing at Cobar in Australia led to 39,800 t own sourced copper production (-9%), reflecting temporary lower grades. Custom metallurgical assets copper cathode production was 127,200 t (+3%) y-o-y, whilst copper anode production of 126,700 t was in line with Q1 2020.

APR 21 - BHP reports copper production for the nine months ended 31 March 2021 decreased by six per cent to 1,233 kt. Guidance for the 2021 financial year increased to between 1,535 and 1,660 kt from between 1,510 and 1,645 kt. Chilean assets continued to operate with a substantial reduction in their operational workforces as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, with more challenges in the June 2021 quarter.

Escondida copper production decreased by eight per cent to 821 kt with record concentrator throughput of 378 ktpd achieved offset by the impact of lower concentrator feed grade and lower cathode volumes. Guidance for FY 2021 is between 1,010 and 1,060 kt. On 1 April 2021, Escondida successfully completed negotiations for a new two-year collective agreement with Intermel. Escondida’s collective agreement with Union No1 of Operators and Maintainers expires on 1 August 2021 and negotiations are expected to commence in June.

Pampa Norte copper production decreased by 21 per cent to 149 kt, largely due to planned maintenance at Spence. Guidance for FY 2021 has been lowered to between 225 and 255 kt, reflecting COVID-19 related impacts on the ramp-up of the Spence Growth Option (SGO). SGO achieved first copper sales, on schedule, in March 2021, following first copper production in December 2020. The ramp-up to full production capacity at SGO is still on track and is expected to take approximately 12 months from first production, following which Spence is expected to average 300 ktpy of production (including cathodes) over the first four years.

Spence’s collective agreement with Union for Operators and Maintainers expires on 30 May 2021, with negotiations for a new agreement currently underway. www.bhp.com

MMG stays on track despite Covid wave APR 22 - MMG Limited first quarter 2021 total

2.5 bn Michiquillay and US$ 2 bn Los Chancas projects and on expanding its smelter, a refinery in Ilo and the processing plant at its Cuajone mine in Moquegua so that it can increase production from 85,000 tonnes ore per day to 120,000 tpd.

MAY 7 - Peru’s final two presidential election candidates Pedro Castillo and Keiko Fujimori face a 6 June run-off vote, which may have implications not only for Tia Maria but for the general mining industry there.

recordable injury frequency (TRIF) was 0.79 per million hours worked, an improvement on the full year 2020 TRIF of 1.38. Production results showed 77,328 tonnes of copper and 68,399 t of zinc. Total copper production was in line with plan despite being below prior periods.

This was primarily due to lower ore grades reflecting the current phase of the Las Bambas mine plan and the processing of stockpiled ore at Kinsevere. Higher production rates for both are expected in H2 2021 and full year copper production guidance is maintained at between 360 kt and 390 kt.

Fewer road disruptions allowed Las Bambas to reduce inventory on site from around 65,000 t of copper in concentrate to around 37,000 t over the quarter. Pending necessary government permitting and community discussions, work continues toward the development of the Chalcobamba pit at Las Bambas in the second quarter of 2021.

www.reuters.com www.mining.com

www.mmg.com

www.glencore.com

Southern Peru hopes for capital projects MAR 14 - According to a La República report on the V Southern Mining Framework International Congress, Southern Peru Copper is working on a reviewed, basic conceptual engineering plan for the (US$ 1.4 bn) Tia Maria mine, with the goal of submitting it for approval by Grupo Mexico’s board of Directors in April. Construction of the Tía Maria project in the southern Islay province of the Arequipa region was allowed to continue in October 2019 after being halted that August. Besides Tía María, the Grupo Mexico subsidiary is working on the US$

www. c op p e r wor l d w i de. co m

Copper Worldwide Vol 11 No 2

SECTORAL STATISTICS | 17

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Latest six-monthly IWCC forecast MAY 17 - The International Wrought Copper Council (IWCC) has completed its six-monthly review of the copper market and has finalised its forecasts for copper supply and demand.

The supply side data indicates that in 2021, mine output is expected to be 20.9 million tonnes, up 2.6% compared with 2020. For 2022, an increase in copper mine production of 6.1% is forecast. Refined copper production in 2021 is forecast to be 23.95 Mt, up 0.9% compared with 2020, and might be 25.25 Mt in 2022. The IWCC is grateful to the International Copper Study Group (ICSG) for its assistance in preparing the supply forecasts.

The demand side forecasts were prepared by the IWCC. Global reported refined copper demand in 2020 was 23.318 Mt, down 2.7% on that for 2019. For 2021 the forecasts suggest that refined copper demand might be 24.458 Mt, up 4.9%. For 2022, demand for refined copper might increase by 3.3% to 25.275 Mt. Refined copper demand is expected to increase in all regions as countries recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, although countries and regions are emerging from the health crisis at

different times and speeds. In the EU-27 + UK region, demand for refined copper in 2020 was 2.803 Mt, down 6.9% compared with 2019.

Demand in 2021 is forecast to be 3.021 Mt, up 7.8% compared with 2020. An increase of 2.6% is forecast for 2022, taking demand in that year in excess of 3.1 Mt. For China, the IWCC estimates reported (or real) demand for refined copper in 2020 to have been 12.557 Mt. For 2021, the forecast currently suggests that reported demand for refined copper might increase by 3.3% to 12.967 Mt. For 2022, reported demand is expected to increase by 2.6% to 13.306 Mt. In North America (Canada, Mexico and the USA) refined copper demand in 2020 was 2.260 Mt. The latest forecast suggests that refined copper demand for this region in 2021 might increase by 5.5% to 2.385 Mt with a further increase of 2.7% forecast for 2022.

The forecasts for supply and demand suggest that in 2021 there might be a statistical deficit of refined copper of 505 kt. For 2022 supply and demand of refined copper is currently expected to be broadly in balance. www.coppercouncil.org

New Roskill report MAY 18 - Roskill is publishing its first allencompassing Copper Report in 2021. Copper: Outlook to 2031 promises detailed insights into the copper supply chain. The new report also includes complete coverage of mine, smelter and refinery production and assesses the pipeline of new projects across the world. There is also full analysis of the role that scrap (and electronic scrap) plays in the copper market, including secondary production at smelters and refineries, direct use scrap at fabricators, and global trade in copper scrap and e-scrap. Scrap is the least well documented area but is vitally important, accounting for around one-third of the total market of 30 Mt. The report looks in depth at historical trends and sets out Roskill’s fully independent outlook for supply, demand and prices. The latest trends in EV and renewable energy markets are also considered. The report is offerd with a Subscription package including Access via Roskill Interactive for up to 5 users, Monthly copper insights and Quarterly forecast updates. Subscribers to the Copper: Outlook report will also receive complimentary access to Roskill’s 300-page copper demand to 2030 report. www.roskill.com

WBMS figures to February 2021 released APR 21 - The copper market recorded a surplus of 31.6 kt in January to February 2021 which follows a deficit of 983 kt in the whole of 2020.

Reported stocks at the end of February 2021 were 30 kt higher than at the end of December 2020. Net deliveries out of LME warehouses were 31.6 kt and Comex stocks decreased by 7.5 kt.

Shanghai stocks rose by 72.9 kt during the first two months of the year. No allowance is made in the consumption calculation for unreported stock changes, particularly in the Chinese government stockpile.

World mine production in January to February 2021 was 3.39 Mt which was 1.4 per cent higher than the first two months of 2020. Global refined production for January to February 2021 was 3.94 Mt, up 2.5 per cent y-o-y with significant

IWCC World Trade 2020

increases recorded in China (up 112 kt) and in India (up 20 kt). Global demand in January to February 2021 was 3.91 Mt (2020: 3.78 Mt).

Chinese apparent demand for the period was 2.08 Mt (+10.6 % y-o-y). Reported output of semi manufactures rose by 29.3 per cent. EU28 production rose by 5.1 % and demand was 12 kt lower than the comparable 2020 total. In February 2021, refined copper production was 1,940.7 kt and demand was 1,902.3 kt.

The World Metal Statistics Yearbook published each May and priced at GBP 740 includes WBMS’ full range of 28 metals and a 10 year summary of production, consumption, stocks and prices. The Yearbook complements the World Metal Statistics (WMS) monthly series.

APR 29 - The IWCC World Trade 2020 Database is available covering world trade in the below refined copper and copper and copper alloy semis products from 2014 to 2020: Copper Semis - Cu Wire Rod / Cu Wire / Cu Wire Stranded / Cu RBS / Cu PSS / Cu Foil / Cu Tube Alloy Semis - Alloy Wire / Alloy RBS / Alloy PSS / Alloy Foil / Alloy Tube Refined Copper - Refined Cu, Cathodes / Refined Cu, Billets / Refined Cu, Wire Bars / Refined Cu, Other The database is provided as a pivot table and can be viewed by country, year, product and flow.

The Excel database is free to IWCC Members and Copper Producers. For non-members GBP 500.

E-mail iwcc@coppercouncil.org to request a copy.

www.world-bureau.co.uk

www.coppercouncil.org

European brass rod demand remains resilient MAR 17 - For the European market of Brass Rods & Wires, 2019 and 2020 marked a negative trend compared to the positive development that had characterised the demand over the previous three years, says a recent study by Cu2 Consulting.

According to the study, European demand for Brass Rods & Wires contracted overall by -13%, declining by -7.2% in 2019, and another -6.4% in 2020 (preliminary figures). Most of the 31 countries of the European aggregate (EEA + UK + Switzerland) were similarly affected.

European demand recorded its second-lowest value in the last twenty years, while still remaining 15% above the low of 2009. The value was around 70% of the highest level recorded in 2006.

Cu2 Consulting expects that in 2021 and 2022 the European demand for Brass Rods & Wires will grow by +6.9% and +4.9% respectively, with a relatively strong rebound in Q2 2021. However, these increases will be not sufficient to fully recover

the volumes lost over the previous two years. Two similar studies on the European market for rolled products and copper bars were published in H2

Copper Worldwide Vol 11 No 2

2020. Cu2 Consulting plans to prepare updates of the three studies during 2021. www.cu2consulting.com

18 | SUPPLIER DIRECTORY

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SUPPLIER DIRECTORY BULK MATERIAL CONVEYING Kopar Oy

Sepänkatu 2 FI-39700 Parkano Finland Tel: +358 3 440180 E-mail: sales@kopar.fi Web: www.kopar.fi

CONCENTRATE DRYING Kumera Corporation

ELECTROLYTIC REFINING

EXTRUSION TECHNOLOGY Danieli & C Officine Meccaniche S.p.A.

MATERIALS HANDLING Combilift Ltd

Danieli Breda – Extrusion and Forging technology since 1950

Metalex

Hernando de Aguirre 162 Of. 806 Santiago, Chile Tel: 0056 2335 2217 Fax: 0056 2321 8280 E-mail: alillo@metalex.cl Web: www.metalex.cl Contact: Alejandro (Alex) R. Lillo

Via Galileo Galilei, 40 20092 Cinisello Balsamo (MI), Italy Tel: 00039 0432 1958111 Fax: 0049 2354 7082 200 Email: info.db@danieli.com Web: www.danieli.com Contact: Mr. Gabriele Macedonio

FURNACES

Mettop GmbH

Gallinagh Monaghan Town Co. Monaghan Ireland Tel: 00353 (0)47 80500 Fax: 00353 (0)47 80501 E Mail: info@combilift.com Web: www.combilift.com Contact: Sales Office

PROCESSING LINES Küttner GmbH & Co. KG

Kumera Corporation

Kumerankatu 2 FI-11100 Riihimäki Finland Tel: 00358 (0)20 755 4200 Fax: 00358 (0)20 755 4320 E-mail: kumera@kumera.com Web: www.kumera.com Contact: Hannu Mansikkaviita

CONTINUOUS ROTARY EXTRUSION Holton Crest Limited

Peter-Tunner-Strasse 4 A-8700 Leoben Austria Tel: 0043 (0)3842 81787 Fax: 0043 (0)3842 1787-8 E-mail: cu@mettop.com Web: www.mettop.com Contact: Dr. Andreas Filzwieser

ELECTRONIC SCRAP RECYCLING UrbanGold GmbH

Kumerankatu 2 FI-11100 Riihimäki Finland Tel: 00358 (0)20 755 4200 Fax: 00358 (0)20 755 4320 E-mail: kumera@kumera.com Web: www.kumera.com

COOLING SOLUTIONS

Peter-Tunner-Str. 4 A-8700 Leoben Austria Tel: 0043 (0)664 88364080 E-mail: www.urbangold.at Web: recycling@urbangold.at Contact: Dr. Stefan Konetschnik

ELECTROWINNING

Mettop GmbH CAgroup

Peter-Tunner-Str. 4 A-8700 Leoben Austria Tel: 0043 (0)3842 81787 Fax: 0043 (0)3842 1787-8 E-mail: cu@mettop.com Web: www.mettop.com Contact: Dr. Andreas Filzwieser

ELECTROLYTE PURIFICATION Metalex

Hernando de Aguirre 162 Of. 806 Santiago, Chile Tel: 0056 2335 2217 Fax: 0056 2321 8280 E-mail: alillo@metalex.cl Web: www.metalex.cl Contact: Alejandro (Alex) R. Lillo

32 Industrial Avenue Thomastown 3074, Victoria Australia Tel: +61 3 8301 7100 Fax: +61 3 9359 4076 E-mail: sales@caanodes.com Web: www.caanodes.com Contact: Sebastian Ortega Galli

Metalex

Hernando de Aguirre 162 Of. 806 Santiago, Chile Tel: 0056 2335 2217 Fax: 0056 2321 8280 E-mail: alillo@metalex.cl Web: www.metalex.cl Contact: Alejandro (Alex) R. Lillo

PROJECT ENGINEERING Küttner GmbH & Co. KG

Contact: Hannu Mansikkaviita

Küttner GmbH & Co. KG 10 Cowley Road, Poole, Dorset BH17 0UJ, UK Tel: +44 1202 681 501 Fax: +44 1202 681 502 Email: info@holtoncrest.com Web: www.holtoncrest.com Contact: Malcolm Ladd

Alfredstr. 28 D-45130 Essen Germany Tel: 0049 201 7293 0 Fax: 0049 201 7293 134 Email: team-knf@kuettner.com Web: www.kuettner.com Contact: Dr. Farzad Salehi

Alfredstr. 28 D-45130 Essen Germany Tel: 0049 201 7293 0 Fax: 0049 201 7293 134 Email: team-knf@kuettner.com Web: www.kuettner.com Contact: Dr. Farzad Salehi

Why not come and join the rest of us now?

HEAT RECOVERY

Alfredstr. 28 D-45130 Essen Germany Tel: 0049 201 7293 0 Fax: 0049 201 7293 134 Email: team-knf@kuettner.com Web: www.kuettner.com Contact: Dr. Farzad Salehi

Mettop GmbH

Peter-Tunner-Strasse 4 A-8700 Leoben Austria Tel: 0043 (0)3842 81787 Fax: 0043 (0)3842 1787-8 E-mail: cu@mettop.com Web: www.mettop.com Contact: Dr. Andreas Filzwieser

RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES & EQUIPMENT

Küttner GmbH & Co. KG

UrbanGold GmbH

Alfredstr. 28 D-45130 Essen Germany Tel: 0049 201 7293 0 Fax: 0049 201 7293 134 Email: team-knf@kuettner.com Web: www.kuettner.com Contact: Dr. Farzad Salehi

Peter-Tunner-Str. 4 A-8700 Leoben Austria Tel: 0043 (0)664 88364080 E-mail: www.urbangold.at Web: recycling@urbangold.at Contact: Dr. Stefan Konetschnik

Copper Worldwide Vol 11 No 2

SUPPLIER DIRECTORY | 19

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REFRACTORIES AND INSULATION HarbisonWalker International

1305 Cherrington Parkway, Suite 100, Moon Township, PA 15108 USA Tel: 001 905 977 7694 E-mail: anthony.rigby@thinkhwi.com Web: www.thinkhwi.com Contact: Joe Rigby

RHI Magnesita GmbH

ROLLING MILL TECHNOLOGY

SMELTING – SECONDARY Küttner GmbH & Co. KG

MINO S.p.A.

Via Torino 1 15122 - San Michele (AL) P.O. Box 362 – 15121 Italy Tel: 0039 0131 363636 Fax: 0039 0131 361611 E-mail: sales@mino.it Web: www.mino.it

Alfredstr. 28 D-45130 Essen Germany Tel: 0049 201 7293 0 Fax: 0049 201 7293 134 Email: team-knf@kuettner.com Web: www.kuettner.com Contact: Dr. Farzad Salehi

SOLVENT EXTRACTION Metalex

Contact: Geminiano Chiesa

Primetals Technologies USA LLC

Kranichberggasse 6

40 Crescent Street

A-1100 Vienna

Worcester, Massachusetts, USA

Austria

01605

Tel: 0043 (0) 50 213 – 6200

Tel: 001 508 755 6111

Fax: 0043 (0) 50 213 – 6391

Fax: 001 508 849 6573

E-mail: nfm-marketing@rhi-magnesita.com

E-mail: contact@primetals.com

Web: www.rhi-magnesita.com

Web: www.primetals.com Contact: David Gow

Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics Limited

Hernando de Aguirre 162 Of. 806 Santiago Chile Tel: 0056 2335 2217 Fax: 0056 2321 8280 E-mail: alillo@metalex.cl Web: www.metalex.cl Contact: Alejandro (Alex) R. Lillo

TUYERES - PUNCHING, SILENCING, PYROMETRY Heath & Sherwood (1964) Limited

SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS Alex Stewart (International) Corporation

Alex Stewart International

Mill Lane, Rainford St Helens, Merseyside WA11 8LP, UK

2b Sefton Business Park, Netherton

Tel: 0044 (0)1744 887939

Liverpool, Merseyside

E-mail:

L30 1RD, UK

craig.d.brennan@saint-gobain.com

Tel: 0044 (0)151 525 1499

Web:

Fax: 0044 (0) 151 523 3760

www.ceramicsrefractories.saint-gobain.com

E-mail:

Contact: Craig Brennan

analysis@alexstewartinternational.com

512 Government Road West P.O. Box 340 Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada, P2N 3J2 Tel: 001 705 567 5313 Fax: 001 705 568 8545 E-mail: info@heathandsherwood.com Web: www.heathandsherwood.com Contact: Michael Marinigh

Web: www.alexstewartinternational.com

REFRACTORIES ENGINEERING

Contact: Stephen Russell

Mettop GmbH

SMELTING – PRIMARY Küttner GmbH & Co. KG

Peter-Tunner-Strasse 4

Alfredstr. 28

A-8700 Leoben

D-45130 Essen

Austria

Germany

Tel: 0043 (0)3842 81787

Tel: 0049 201 7293 0

Fax: 0043 (0)3842 1787-8

Fax: 0049 201 7293 134

E-mail: cu@mettop.com

Email: team-knf@kuettner.com

Web: www.mettop.com

Web: www.kuettner.com

Contact: Dr. Andreas Filzwieser

Contact: Dr. Farzad Salehi

Copper Worldwide Vol 11 No 2

SAMPLE CATEGORIES Ageing Ovens Analytical Instruments Analytical Analysis Apparel Auto Firing Systems Automation & PLC Control Systems Bar Code Labelling Camera Detection System for Mills Casting Casting Equipment Castings Certified Reference Material Coil Storage Systems Combustion & Burners Computer Software Consumables Cranes & Hoists DC Extrusion Billet Casting Deburring Tools & Equipment Die Heaters Embossing Equipment Engineering Design Environmental Control Extrusion Equipment Extrusion Presses Extrusion Temperature Measurement Extrusion Tooling Fans, High Temperature Filters and Filter Materials Filtration Systems Foil & Strip Processing Foundry Alloys Foundry Equipment Furnaces, Billet Heating Furnaces, Heat Treatment Furnaces, High Temperature Insulation Materials Furnaces, Melting Furnaces, Melting, Dross & Scrap Furnaces, Melting, Tilting Rotary Furnaces, Open top & closed type for anodes & cathodes Induction Heating Industrial Gases Inspection Systems for Mills Lubricants Marking & Automatic Identification Materials Handling Measurement & Testing Mechanical Handling Metal Circulation Molten Metal Level Control Molten Metal Technology Non-Contact Temperature Measurement Packaging Processing Lines Production Management Systems Project Management Recycling Recycling Equipment Refractories Refractory Installation Roller Sleeves Rolling Mills Rolling Mill Automation & Process Consulting Rolling Mill Technology Rolling Technical Courses Sawing & Cutting Scrap Processing Slitting & Cut to length Lines Smelter Equipment Stockholder, Trader Service Centre Storage Systems Thermocouples Thermocouple Protection Sheaths Tool & Die Shop Transfer Belts Used Machinery

20 | EVENT PREVIEWS

www. c op p e r wor l dw i de. co m

KGHM celebrates diamond anniversary

Legnica Copper smelter anode rotary casting-refining furnace. Photo: KGHM

APR 29 - KGHM is celebrating the 60th year since its founding as the Kombinat GórniczoHutniczy Miedzi, or copper mining and smelting combine, with promising general results. To mark the anniversary, a commemorative mural was created on a building of KGHM ZANAM in Legnica. The artistic design is simple in form,

UPCOMING EVENTS Key: R = Real World V = Virtual 2021 Jun 7 - 10 V Biomining ‘21(MEI, Falmouth, UK) The 10th International Symposium on Biomining.

One of three keynote lectures is “Environmental applications of biotechnology in mining” to be given by Dr. Anna Kaksonen, Group Leader, Industrial Biotechnology at CSIRO Australia. www.min-eng.com/biomining21 21 - 24 V Sustainable Minerals ’21 (MEI, Falmouth, UK) One of three keynote lectures is “The war on waste: How could the mining industry respond?” to be presented by Dr. Anita Parbhakar-Fox, of the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland, Australia. Event is organised by MEI in consultation with Prof Markus Reuter and sponsored by FLSmidth. www.min-eng.com/sustainableminerals21 23 - 25 R + V IARC21 International Automotive Recycling Congress Geneva, Switzerland APR 29 - The programme of the 20th IARC21 International Automotive Recycling Congress to be held in Geneva, Switzerland is published.

but refers to the mining industry in the Copper Belt. The mural in part was made with anti-smog paints. The work cleans as much air as 90 trees.

MAY 12 - KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. announces first quarter 2021 results are ‘best in a decade’.

The increase in copper production by the

KGHM Group by 6.6% versus Q1 2020, with production in the first quarter of 186 kt, was due to the greater availability of feed material and improved availability of production lines, as well as higher recoveries and better ore quality. The EBITDA for the Sierra Gorda mine increased more than six-fold in the period, reaching PLN 643 million as KGHM’s share. The basic operating costs of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. were higher by 16.6 percent year-on-year.

In the period the decision was made to define and create Strategic Programs for KGHM. In 2021 the company will continue to improve its production parameters, stabilise its finances and achieve ambitious investments, and adapt the technological installations of KGHM to the requirements of BAT conclusions for the nonferrous metals industry together with the restriction of arsenic emissions (BATAs). A warehouse and storage area for lead-bearing materials was completed at the Głogów Copper Smelter and Refinery in the quarter.

KGHM is a company with a huge impact on the Polish and global economy. “The future is in copper”, says Marcin Chludziński, President of the Management Board of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. www.kghm.com

It is strongly recommended that any below information be confirmed via event organiser/website directly before any action is taken: Keynote speaker Jean-Philippe Hermine, VP Environmental Strategy of Renault will reveal why it was important for Renault to be a pioneer in vehicle and vehicle battery recycling. www.icm.ch/iarc2021 27 - 30 V EMC 2021 (GDMB, Salzburg, Austria) From Mine to Metal: The search for an integral solution to process complex ores and residues (with high impurities) and produce high value multi metal at lowest CO2 footprint. www.emc.gdmb.de Aug 4-6V Hydroprocess 2021 (Santiago, Chile, GECAMIN) Includes: Leaching and bioleaching of sulphide minerals and concentrates; New reagents, materials and technologies; Innovation and process improvement. www.gecamin.com/hydroprocess Sep 14 - 15 R EV Battery Recycling & Reuse 2021, Frankfurt, Germany (iQ-Hub) Event to explore end-of-service battery recycling

and repurposing initiatives for the next-generation of electric vehicle batteries. www.ev-battery-recycling.com 28 - 30 R ALUMINIUM 2021 Duesseldorf, Germany (Reed Exhibitions) 1,000+ Exhibitors (2018), 23,000+ Attendees (2018) www.aluminium-exhibition.com Oct 26 - 27 R + V Interwire 2021 Atlanta, GA USA (WAI) Organised by Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. and features an Industry 4.0 Pavilion www.interwire21.com Nov 13 - 20 R + V ALTA 2021, Perth, Australia (ALTA Metallurgical) Five International Conferences and Three Short Courses. Has a hybrid format with in-person attendance for Australians and online for internationals. If the Australian borders are open, online registrations may be converted to attend the physical event. Abstracts are requested by 15 June. www.altamet.com.au

Pandemic Travel Note Every effort has been made to ensure that event details were correct at time of publication. In particular, some events are advertised as ‘Real World’ (R) where the Organisers have indicated this option on their PR/website. However, to avoid any complications, no event-specific travel arrangments should be made without proper consultation with the Event Organisation concerned and relevant authorities in the participants’ country and event host country.

Copper Worldwide Vol 11 No 2

COPPER FOR THE EV AGE | 21

www.copper worl dw ide. co m

EV supply chain majors pilot blockchain solution MAY 20 - Major metals and mining companies CMOC, Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) and Glencore in collaboration with battery material supplier Umicore are piloting Re|Source, a solution to trace responsibly produced cobalt from the mine to the electric car. A global EV pioneer and one of the world’s leading battery makers are also part of the pilot. Tested in real operating conditions, from upstream cobalt production facilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to downstream electric vehicle production sites, the pilot will run until the end of 2021, with the roll-out of the final solution expected

in 2022. Ivan Glasenberg, CEO of Glencore, stated: “Responsible sourcing compliance includes supporting the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) sector through multi-stakeholder initiatives like the Fair Cobalt Alliance (FCA).”

The initiative deploys technologies including blockchain and Zero-Knowledge Proofs to link digital flows with physical material flows on the ground, all supported by technology studio Kryha.

Re|Source integrates a comprehensive set of industrial sustainable mining and sourcing standards and frameworks, such as ICMM, RMI, IRMA,

Tesla led PEV charge in 2020 FEB 17 - Tesla was the best-selling electric vehicle brand in 2020, selling just under 500,000 plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) globally. Tesla’s first mass-market all-electric car was launched in 2012. Volkswagen was second with just over 220,000 units. Third place came BYD (China) at just over 179,000 units. The number of electric mobility-related patent applications worldwide made progress in 2019 when just over nine million applications were submitted in the area of electric vehicles and charging. APR 26 - Wood Mackenzie estimates by 2030, there will be over 20 million EV charging points globally, consuming 250% more copper than in 2019.

MAY 24 -The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) recently recognised a new innovation for the electric vehicle (EV) lithium battery pack that replaces the existing nickel bus bar with copper, improving battery efficiency while significantly reducing costs.

The new copper busbar compared to a nickel busbar. Photo: ICA

Developed by Le BET with the ongoing support of the International Copper Association China’s EV team, this new technology increases copper use in electric vehicles by an additional 10Kg per car. www.woodmackenzie.com www.copperalliance.org www.statista.com

Electric vehicle sales rise MAY 4 - Global fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) sales jumped 89.2% year-over-year and hit a record 4,000 units in the first quarter of 2021. Toyota topped the FCEV sales with its second-generation Mirai model appearing

in the US and Europe. Hyundai Motor came in second place, showing a steady growth.

Toyota sales fell in 2020 as they relied on its first-generation Mirai. www.sneresearch.com

www.re-source.tech www.glencore.com

Cell connectors from KME APR 15 - KME offers specially developed cell connectors, an innovative technology for heavyduty connections in sustainable and efficient energy storage systems, which is considered a key technology for future-proof electric vehicles. The KME cell connectors have already been tested according to LV 214 (German Automotive OEM Connector Test Specification) and have shown very good results here. The cell connectors consist of two different alloys, which can be provided from KME’s extensive portfolio of copper alloys depending on the requirements of the respective busbar. After the busbar has been pre-punched, the inlet is firmly stamped in a first step and both materials are then force-fitted and permanently pressed together. This process eliminates the need for cost-intensive solutions made of composite materials and, due to the manufacturing process, is also very resourceefficient when it comes to the sorted refeeding of process scrap to the recycling circuit. www.kme.com

STL secures funding for EVBus

long load momentum twisting when travelling sideways. Combining the benefits of very compact dimensions and the ability to handle long loads as well as pallets, the multidirectional Combi-CBE is a universal truck for multiple applications and offers cost effective and efficient operation. It also answers growing market demand for powerful and quieter electric forklifts which comply with ever more stringent emissions guidelines.

NOV 12 - Samuel Taylor Limited (STL) is awarded Innovate UK funding as part of the recent ‘Catalysing Green Innovation: Securing the Future of ZEV competition. EVBus is an Innovate UK collaborative project between STL and TWI Ltd, aiming to investigate an innovative Copper to Aluminium bonding technique for use in zero emission vehicle (ZEV) busbars. Joining copper to aluminium would allow for light-weighting of electric vehicle (EV) busbars, while maintaining electrical properties. Busbars are an integral part of EV battery packs.

Successful bonding will allow the resulting product to be laser welded to parent copper or aluminium, thereby solving the issues currently associated with laser welding dissimilar materials. The goals of the project are to investigate the feasibility of bonding Copper to Aluminium directly, or using interlayer materials. STL participated in the UK pavilion at The Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo (Messe Stuttgart) Digital Days 18-20 May 2021.

www.combilift.com

www.samueltaylor.co.uk

Combilift Combi-CBE wins FLTA award APR 14 - Combilift has won its 10th prestigious industry award from the Forklift Truck Association for one of its latest products. The 2020 FLTA Awards for Excellence took place virtually on 10 April, having been postponed from last year due to Covid.

The recently introduced Combi-CBE model - a counterbalance design, multidirectional forklift with electric drive on all of its three wheels, was one of the twelve finalists in the hotly contested Innovation Category.

The Combi-CBE features internationally patented electric traction which enables independent control of each of the front and rear drive wheels and guarantees 100% traction control.

Operators benefit from precise acceleration and deceleration control, which significantly reduces

CIRAF1, Copper Mark and others. The solution also explores how aspects of the related GHG emissions along the value chain can be traced and disclosed. Re|Source was founded by CMOC, ERG and Glencore and launched in 2019, and it is being designed and developed to be used by wide-ranging industry players. There is a close link with the Battery Passport project of the Global Battery Alliance (GBA), which is aimed at transforming the battery production chain more responsible and sustainable.

Combi-CBE in operation. Photo: Combilift

Copper Worldwide Vol 11 No 2

PROPERZI FURNACES & COMBUSTION DIVISION PROPERZI FURNACES FOR COPPER LINES

PROPERZI FURNACES FOR ALUMINIUM LINES

VERT-REF (Vertical Refining) FURNACES for Copper Scrap

VERT-MELT (Vertical Melting) FURNACE SET

SHAFT & HOLDING FURNACES for Copper Cathodes REVERBERATORY SCRAP REFINING FURNACES for Copper Scrap

WE PRODUCE TECHNOLOGY. YOURS.

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