Copper Anodes
Copper anodes are a high-grade intermediate copper product that are produced at KCM’s Nchanga Smelter as part of its integrated copper operations.
Production Process
Copper Anodes are produced through the smelting process of Copper Concentrates at the Nchanga Smelter located in Chingola, Zambia. The Nchanga Smelter uses direct to blister technology to produce copper anodes in a Flash Smelting Furnace (FSF).
Application across industries
Electrolytic refining: Serves as the anode feed in copper electro-refineries, where copper is transferred onto cathode plates to produce high-purity refined copper.
Chemical Specifications
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | UOM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | 99.5 | - | % |
| Oxygen (O₂) | 1500 | 2500 | ppm |
| Arsenic (As) | 450 | 750 | ppm |
| Molar Ratio | 2.5 | 3.5 | ppm |
| Antimony (Sb) | - | 1 | ppm |
| Bismuth (B) | - | 300 | ppm |
| Nickel (Ni) | - | 500 | ppm |
| Iron (Fe) | - | 50 | ppm |
| Sulphur (S) | - | 50 | ppm |
| Lead (Pb) | - | 300 | ppm |
| Tellurium (Te) | - | 1 | ppm |
| Selenium (Se) | - | 100 | ppm |
| Silver (Ag) | - | 150 | ppm |
Physical Specifications
| Dimensions | Commercial Anodes | Stripper Anodes |
|---|---|---|
| L | 1175 +5/-5 mm | 1175 +5/-5 mm |
| L1 | 170 +0/-5 mm | 145 +0/-5 mm |
| L2 | 130 +0/-5 mm | 95 +0/-5 mm |
| H | 920 ± 5 mm | 985 ± 5 mm |
| HL | 990 ± 5 mm | 1060 ± 5 mm |
| HS1 | 1015 ± 5 mm | 1085 ± 5 mm |
| HS2 | 1065 ± 5mm | 1130 ± 5mm |
| W | 880 ± 5mm | 945 ± 5mm |
| Anode Lug Thickness | 44 ± 4mm | 36 ± 4mm |
| *Anode Thickness (Body) | 44 ± 4mm | 36 ± 4mm |
| *Anode Weight | 285 ± 5Kg | 305 ± 5Kg |
| Projections/rolled edges tolerance/blade straightness variations | 5mm Max | 5 mm Max |
| Anode Taper (Reverse) | 0 | 0 |
