Achievement of Efficient and Stable Operation and Reinforcement of Copper Smelting Capacity at Saganoseki Smelter & Refinery

Abstract

Saganoseki Smelter & Refinery, one of the largest smelters in the world, had its annual copper smelting capacity of 300, 000 metric tons in 1983. Thereafter, it had been operated at low production rate because of the economic deterioration for 6 years.
During these years, technological and operational improvement, progress of facilities maintenance, and Mdevelopment of advanced operation control system have been carried out under the firm belief that the storm could be weathered. First of all, the principal concept for reforming the Smelter was established and all of effort were concentrated in this direction. Process technology developments were attained in all of unit processes, such as the prevention of dust accretion at flash furnace boiler, and the prolongation of anode mould life.
As a result, much improvement in smelting cost reduction and productivity has been accomplished. Moreover, copper smelting capacity was reinforced to 330, 000 tonnes per annum without the increase of the number of main smelting facilities.
The concept for smelter innovation, the summary of process technology progress, and the general idea of computer integrated manufacturing system are presented in this paper.