Smelting

The Tsumeb smelter is a major custom smelter with brownfields expansion potential. It produces blister copper (98.6% copper) and has the ability to treat complex copper concentrates.

The smelter's ultimate capacity is around 110,000 tonnes a year. As one of only four copper smelters currently operating in Africa, and with the resurgence of mining in key regions such as Zambia, DRC and Botswana, there is great opportunity to capitalise on the smelter's expansion potential to increase the custom treating business. Concentrate is currently smelted at Tsumeb from Dundee Chelopech and from First Quantum's Guelb Mogrein mine and Metorex's Chibuluma mine.

The Tsumeb smelter comprises three furnaces. The Reverb furnace 1 is operational, with a capacity of 24,000 - 32,000 tonnes per annum. The larger, currently inactive Reverb furnace 2, which has a capacity of 60 - 90,000 tonnes per annum, requires refurbishment. The Ausmelt furnace is being expanded, as part of the agreement with Dundee Precious Metals, to a capacity of 26,000 tonnes per annum. Commissioning is targeted during Q1 2008, with full production by Q3 2008.