KCM ’ s Nchanga smelter , part of its operations as the largest integrated copper producer in Zambia
Under his watch , three distinct business units have been set up . One is the Konkola mine and its surface facilities ( the six million tonne capacity concentrator was built to accompany the 1.5 kilometre deep shaft and the backfill plant unit ). Another is the new smelter at Nchanga , together with the Nkana refinery . “ We decided this should be operated independently : to the extent that we are unable to fill the smelter with ore mined from our own captive mines we will buy concentrate of appropriate grades on the market ,” he explained .
The third unit comprises the Nchanga operations , including a profitable reclamation business . The cheapest copper KCM is currently producing is from the old tailings , in which there remains a significant amount of metal .
44 October 2015