OREANDA-NEWS. March 03, 2011. Kazakhmys celebrates 40th anniversary of Zhezkazgan Smelter. Total production output for this period makes over 7 million tonnes of high quality copper cathodes with copper recovery rate 98.3 %. Currently, Zhezkazgan Smelter undergoes improvement and refurbishment of operating equipment; several decisions are made to reduce negative production impact on local environment. Total amount of investment programme implemented previously exceeds USD 11 million, and investment programme amount for 2011 is about USD8 million, reported the press-centre of KASE.

Major overhaul of electric furnace No.2 included replacement of its hearth, slag and matte end, and walls. Three new ceramic filters put into operation in filtering and drying house of the feed preparation department, i.e. a new ceramic one can replace three old ones. A new upgraded stacker reclaimer installed in the same department which equipped with a protection system preventing any emergency shutdown. One of the thickeners was also overhauled, with modern electric equipment and automation systems being installed.

Work environment and process flow sheet improved in copper refinery due to installation of new polymer-concrete cells which can prevent electrolyte leakage and reduce rejects volume from 8% to 1.5%. A new anode press installed in anode department to process 320 anodes per hour that reduces rejects volume and provides automatic anode processing.

The production site operates according to the principles of combined raw material processing and the basic products are: blister and fine copper, copper sulphate, sulphuric acid, copper slimes with gold and silver content, lead dust and cake, ammonium perrhenate (rhenium salt).

Total number of employees is about 2,000 people. In the days of celebration more than 700 metallurgists received Government awards, letters of honour, valuable gifts and bonuses to appreciate their contribution to production site development.