Making improvements in smelting capacity at Onsan copper smelter

The Onsan copper smelter of LG Metals Corporation started operation in 1979 with an installed copper smelting capacity of 80,000 t/y. Utilizing Outokumpu flash-smelting technology, the smelter has expanded capacity since its start-up; in 1997, it is expected that the tonnage of smelted concentrate will be more than twice the original design capacity. Furthermore, a new smelting line based on the Mitsubishi continuous process will be commissioned in early 1998 with a capacity of 160,000 t/y of copper. This article describes the modifications and improvements made to increase the smelting capacity.