SPCC's 1,200,000 TPA Copper Isasmelt

Southern Peru Copper Corporation (SPCC) are currently modernizing the Ilo copper smelter. A single ISASMELT furnace will start smelting 1,200,000 tonnes per year of concentrate during the second half of 2006. The existing Peirce Smith converters are being upgraded for converting the matte to blister copper and a new acid plant and oxygen plant are being installed. Two new anode furnaces and a twin anode casting wheel have been installed in 2005 and commissioned in January 2006. The modernization project will ensure the smelter satisfies new environmental regulations due to come into force in January 2007. This paper summarises the background to the modernization project, describes the main design features of the new copper smelter and summarises progress on the smelter construction as of early 2006. This paper describes the genesis of the Ilo Smelter Modernization Project and describes in details the scope and current status of the project.