Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Plc has cast its first copper anode following the completion of an approximately US$40 million rehabilitation of the Nchanga Smelter, marking the return of the facility to smelting operations after a 106-day shutdown. The rehabilitation is the first major refurbishment of the smelter in more than eight years and is expected to strengthen the plant’s reliability and support KCM’s efforts to increase copper production. KCM Deputy Chief Executive Officer Satish Kumar said the investment demonstrated Vedanta Resources’ commitment to restoring the company’s ageing operational assets and rebuilding the long-term productive capacity of the mine. He said the restart followed extensive technical work aimed at addressing the condition of the smelter and ensuring that the facility could operate more safely and reliably. “This is more than the restart of a smelter. It is visible evidence of Vedanta’s commitment to rebuilding KCM and securing the long-term future of its operations,” Mr Kumar said. “When Vedanta returned to KCM, the smelter required extensive rehabilitation after more than eight years without a major refurbishment. We therefore brought together the technical expertise and financial resources required to address the condition of the plant comprehensively.” Mr Kumar said the decision to extend the shutdown was taken to ensure that the rehabilitation was completed properly, with safety, asset integrity and long-term reliability given priority. He said the investment would also help protect jobs by putting the smelter on a stronger operational footing. “Having made this significant investment, we must now maintain disciplined operating and maintenance practices to keep the smelter in good condition. This is essential to protecting the asset, preserving equipment reliability, safeguarding our people and supporting efficient and progressively higher copper production,” he said. The rehabilitation also created significant employment and business opportunities during the shutdown, with more than 1,500 KCM and business partner employees involved in the programme. Smelter and Refinery Director Yoram Kapai said the extensive works were completed without a major injury, crediting employees, contractors, consultants and business partners for maintaining strong safety standards throughout the 106-day shutdown. “The successful casting of the first anode is the result of careful planning, technical expertise and the collective effort of everyone involved,” Mr Kapai said. “Our immediate priority is to stabilise operations and sustain safe, reliable and efficient performance.” For workers at Nchanga, the restart also provides an important indication of renewed activity at one of Zambia’s major copper-producing operations. Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) Nchanga Branch Chairman Ernest Lesa commended management and the workforce for successfully completing the major shutdown. The return of the smelter is expected to support KCM’s broader production recovery plans as the company works to increase copper output and improve the reliability of its operations. The milestone comes as Zambia seeks to raise copper production significantly in pursuit of its long-term target of producing three million tonnes of copper annually, making the performance of major producers such as KCM critical to the country’s mining and economic growth ambitions.