KGHM’s innovation recognized - KGHM won the 2022 Super Business Golden Laurel award

The company was awarded the 2022 Super Business Golden Laurel award in the “Innovation” category. The jury recognized KGHM’s pioneering work in the development of nuclear power in Poland. The award was presented at an awards ceremony in Warsaw.

KGHM was the first company in Poland to submit an application to the National Atomic Energy Agency for the implementation of small modular reactors (SMRs). The document concerns an evaluation of technology and technical solutions. The copper industry leader is working on the investment project together with the American company NuScale Power. The investment in SMR is closely linked to the strategic area of energy and KGHM’s Climate Policy, which declares the plan to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Transformation of the copper industry leader

KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., as one of the world’s leaders in copper and silver production, consciously develops its operations in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and responsible business. In 2021, the company adopted an ambitious Climate Policy and announced the KGHM Group’s Decarbonization Program, which will set out the overall capital expenditures related to the implementation of measures aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and diversification of energy sources are a part of the company’s transformation. KGHM is planning to supply a half of the energy it consumes from its own sources, including Renewable Energy Sources, by 2030.

The company has its own low-carbon generation sources, operates photovoltaic projects, and has engaged in the development of offshore wind projects. The company is also a national pioneer in the field of nuclear power. In February of this year, KGHM signed an agreement with NuScale, an American supplier of the SMR small nuclear reactor technology. Clean energy from the first power plant of this type is expected to power the company's production divisions by the end of this decade.

Innovative approach

NuScale Power’s modular light-water reactor nuclear power plant technology provides energy for power generation, district heating, desalination, hydrogen production, and other process heat applications. This breakthrough technology is the only small modular reactor technology to receive approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

A feasibility study for the project is currently being prepared. Meanwhile, in July 2022, Polska Miedź was the first company to apply to the President of the PAA for a so-called general opinion, which is intended to determine whether the reactor offered by the technology supplier meets Polish nuclear safety and radiological protection requirements.

Super Business Golden Laurels

The awards are given to individuals, institutions, and companies for activities that bring special benefits to the Polish economy and for achievements that foster the development of domestic entrepreneurship. This year, the awards committee gave awards for the ninth time in nine categories, including personality of the year, innovation, CSR, and support for the development of entrepreneurship and promotion of Poland in the world.