08
2025-12
Kamoa-Kakula Copper Smelter in DRC, for Which China Nerin Provided EPCM Services, Has Successfully Fired Up Its Furnaces for Heating Up
The 500ktpa Kamoa-Kakula Copper Smelter in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) operating with the single-stage direct to blister process, for which China Nerin provided full EPCM services, has officially fired up its furnaces for heating up recently. This milestone marks the full completion of this globally leading, technologically pioneering modern green copper smelter, officially counting down to production.
The single-stage direct to blister technology implemented in this project is tailor-made for processing high-grade copper concentrates with complex compositions. With the world's largest capacity for this innovative process, it not only holds groundbreaking significance but will also set an exemplary benchmark for technological application and industrial upgrading in the sector.
As the EPCM service provider for the project, China Nerin undertook comprehensive services including engineering design, supply of core equipment, procurement management, construction management, commissioning management, and production support. Since contracting with Kamoa Copper S.A., China Nerin’s team has confronted multiple overseas construction challenges. Leveraging their profound technical expertise in flash smelting field while skillfully navigating cultural differences between Eastern and Western practices, the team delivered the project on schedule with high quality, solidifying the foundation for its smooth production.
The smelter furnace temperature has now stabilized at 800°C. Subsequent steps include the loaded commissioning of boilers and the steam system, along with the hot commissioning of the acid production circuit. The project is expected to achieve feeding and production by the end of the year, yielding anode copper with a purity of 99.7%. Upon completing the ramp-up to the designed capacity in 2026, it will prioritize processing copper concentrates from Phase I, II, and III concentrators of Kamoa-Kakula Mine. This will significantly reduce logistics costs while advancing the value chain of the copper industry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo toward higher-value upgrading.
Leveraging over six decades of technical expertise in non-ferrous metals smelting field, China Nerin has customized core process solutions for the project, integrated intelligent equipment and digital-intelligent solutions with independent intellectual property rights, and supplied key process equipment such as electric furnaces, anode furnaces, boilers, and converters, along with the plant-wide control system, fully demonstrating the competitive edge of Chinese engineering technology. Deeply infused with Chinese elements throughout its construction, this project leverages the profound accumulation of China's copper smelting industry for nearly half a century, and showcases the robust capabilities of China's supply chain and industrial system to the global stage from equipment manufacturing to production management, and it is also an important achievement in implementing the Belt and Road Initiative and deepening China-Africa cooperation in mining sector.
Moving forward, China Nerin will continue providing robust operational support during the follow-up feeding and ramp-up phases, fully drive this project to become a model for green development of global copper smelters, and contribute sustained "Nerin Strength" to accelerate the green transformation of the global copper industry, improve the well-being of local enterprises and people, and enhance the international influence of Chinese technology and equipment.