Overhaul of technical infrastructure at Głogów copper smelter

A planned overhaul downtime has begun at the Głogów I copper smelter – works at this division of KGHM will last approximately 2.5 months. This is the second such project after the 2016 modernisation, when the shaft furnace technology was changed to a fluidised bed furnace.

The downtime will cover the main process line of HMG I, including Charge Preparation Department P-1, fluidised bed furnace Department P-2, Electric Furnace and Converters Department P-3, Anode Furnaces Department P-4 and Sulphuric Acid Department P-6. During this time, thanks to the accumulation of an adequate supply of anode copper and the production support of the Głogów II smelter, electrolytic copper production will continue at the Electrorefining Department P-7, using the full capacity available. Support will also be provided by the Caisson and Mould Foundry Division P-5, which manufactures components for the furnaces undergoing maintenance.

The overhaul of the smelter is a major challenge for both the employees and the external companies involved in the entire process. Dozens of agreements have been concluded with contractors and several thousand spare parts were ordered.  The downtime is a major logistical and technical challenge. Preparatory works had been going on for many months. After final verification of the contractors' readiness, as well as checking the supply of spare parts and materials required to complete the tasks, the overhaul downtime began on 11 August – as planned. With such a large-scale project, special emphasis is placed on occupational safety.

The downtime at the HMG I copper smelter is not just about overhauls. Necessary investment tasks will also be carried out. One of these is the modernisation of the oil-firing installation for the fluidised bed furnace.  An update of the control systems and replacement of the computers for the fluidised bed furnace and roaster will be carried out, as well as an update of the casting machine computer system.

Preparations for the overhaul downtime at the HMG I copper smelter began more than three years ago.