On the future of copper mining and smelting under the auspices of KGHM

The International Copper Mining and Smelting Congress will take place from 4-6 June 2025 in Lubin. The programme includes technical visits, numerous subject-specific sessions and a machinery exhibition. This is a unique opportunity to network, share knowledge and jointly shape the future of the copper industry.

The future of the industry and development horizons

This year's Congress will focus on key aspects of the development of the copper industry, including the resource base and development prospects of copper ore mining, the conditions of copper mining and smelting in the global economy and the technical aspects of mining production. The participants will also address the topics of accompanying metals recovery technology, non-ferrous metals processing under conditions of energy transition, risk prevention and organisation and safety at work.

The Congress will begin as soon as on Wednesday, 4 June, with technical visits to the divisions of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. On that day, the residents of the Copper Belt are also invited to an exhibition of mining and smelting machinery and equipment. The exhibition will be inaugurated by a performance by the Głogów majorettes.

Global opportunities and challenges

On Thursday, 5 June, Andrzej Szydło, President of the Management Board of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. and Honorary Patron of the event, will participate in the official opening of the Congress.

‘The Congress is an excellent opportunity to address the issues most relevant to the industry as a whole. The exchange of knowledge, experience, but also of plans and innovations is a valuable load of information necessary for planning the development of our business. KGHM is a global player that not only produces copper, but also has a major influence on the non-ferrous metals market worldwide. As an international company, we have to take into account global economic developments, including trends in the green transition, changes in demand for metals and regulatory changes in different parts of the world. For us, this is both a challenge and an opportunity’, said Andrzej Szydło, President of the Management Board of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.

During the Plenary Session, the participants will learn, among other things, about the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of the EU on establishing a framework for the safe and sustainable supply of critical raw materials and its Polish implementation. In addition, the topic of rhenium production technology will also be addressed.

‘Rhenium is an extremely rare and valuable metal, valued for its unique properties, including its exceptionally high melting point. KGHM recovers this element during the advanced process associated with copper production. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of rhenium, which is why this metal has become one of the topics of the Copper Mining and Smelting Congress organised by KGHM - the only producer of rhenium from primary resources in Europe and one of the world's leading producers’, informed Stefan Laskownicki, President of the SITG Club at KGHM Head Office.

Innovation and cooperation

Following the plenary sessions, the participants will move to KGHM’s Head Office, where the subject-specific sessions will begin. They will cover topics in geology, deposit exploitation, modern technologies in mining and metallurgy and innovative methods of monitoring production processes. A total of 75 presentations have been scheduled and will be given in 11 sessions. In addition, the participants will have the opportunity to learn more about selected topics in poster presentations in front of the conference rooms.

The event is organised by the Lubin Branch of the Association of Mining Engineers and Technicians, the Polish Copper Employers' Association, and the Association of Non-Ferrous Metals Engineers and Technicians at the Głogów and Legnica Copper Smelters, with the participation of the Wrocław University of Technology.