Noranda to expand smelter

Subject to environmental and other approvals, a US$170-million expansion and modernization program will be carried out at the Altonorte copper smelter near Antofagasta, Chile.

Toronto-based Noranda (NOR-T) will oversee the expansion, which is aimed at doubling the concentrate treatment capacity to 820,000 tonnes per year from 400,000 tonnes, and increasing annual copper production to 290,000 from 160,000 tonnes.

The program, to be completed by mid-2001, also will render the smelter fully compliant with Chilean environmental regulations, as well as Noranda’s own environmental policy.

The expansion will triple the amount of sulphuric acid produced to 700,000 tonnes from 250,000 tonnes. Sulphuric acid is used by numerous mines in the region that produce cathode copper using solvent extraction-electrowinning processing technology.

Noranda acquired a 24.8% stake in the smelter’s owner, Funducion Refimet, in 1995, then acquired all the remaining shares from other parties earlier this year.