JSC Kazakhmys - Balkhash

Acid Plant Database July 10, 2024

Owner	JSC Kazakhmys Corporation
Background	- 1930 Operations begin at the Balkhash copper smelting complex - 1971 Smelting operations begin at the Zhezkazgan complex - 1992 The company, OJSC Zhezgazgantzvetmet, was formed by the Government of Kazakhstan. The Government reduced its holding from 100% to 0%, in a series of privatisations from 1992 to 2002 - June 1995 Samsung Corporation of Korea took over management of the company and in -1996 acquired a 40% stake, which was subsequently sold - October 2005 The Group listed on London Stock Exchange Also formerly known as Balkhash Mining and Metallurgical
Location	1 Lenin Street Balkhash Kazakhstan 100300
Website	www.kazakhmys.kz
Plant	Balkhash Complex
Coordinates	46° 49' 43" N, 74° 56' 23" E
Type of Plant	Metallurgical
Gas Source	Copper Two Vanyukov Furnaces Pierce-Smith Converters
Gas Cleaning	Venturi Scrubber (Fixed Throat) - Gas Cooling Tower - (3) 1st Stage WESP - (3) 2nd Stage WESP
Plant Capacity	3850 MTPD
SA/DA	3/1 DA
Status	Operating
Year Built	2006
Technology	Wet Gas Cleaning: Lurgi Bischoff Contact Section: Aker Kvaerner Chemetics
Contractor	-
Remarks	Sodium silicate system for treating fluorides in the gas and weak acid
Pictures
General	Kazakhmys PLC is an international natural resources company, listed in the UK, with its principal operations in Kazakhstan and the surrounding region. The core business is the production and sale of copper. Kazakhmys is fully integrated from mining ore through to the production of finished metal. The copper division also produces significant volumes of other metals as by-products, including zinc, silver and gold. In 2007 Kazakhmys added two new divisions, Kazakhmys Petroleum and Kazakhmys Gold, in keeping with the Group’s strategic aim of diversifying and participating in the development of the significant natural resource opportunities in Central Asia. MKM is a wholly owned subsidiary, based in Germany, which was acquired in 2004. MKM produces a range of pre and semi finished copper and copper alloy products. Kazakhmys is the largest copper producer in Kazakhstan and in the top ten worldwide. The copper division has operating sites across Kazakhstan with 20 open pit and underground mines, 9 concentrators, a zinc plant and two smelting and refining complexes. The Group owns coal mines and power plants, which supply sufficient energy for its operations and market excess capacity commercially. Fully integrated production and good by products, make Kazakhmys one of the lowest cost copper producers in the world. These advantages, combined with a large reserve base give the Group a strong platform for future growth and development.
References	-
News	June 10, 2009 - Kazakh metals firm Kazakhmys said it had suspended zinc production at its Balkhash plant due to low demand. Produced 48,000 tonnes of zinc and 138,000 tonnes of zinc concentrate in 2008. June 26, 2008 - Kazakhmys PLC announces that production has commenced at its major new sulphuric acid plant at the Balkhash complex in Kazakhstan. The $130 million plant is designed to produce 1.2 million tonnes of sulphuric acid per annum. Production has started in line with previous guidance, by the end of H1 2008, and will ramp up to full production by Q4 2008. The plant provides several significant benefits. The commissioning of the plant will lead to a six fold reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions at the complex, which is a key environmental target for the Group. The plant will also become an important source of a valuable by product which is required for a wide range of uses in Kazakhstan. Oleg Novachuk Chief Executive of Kazakhmys said: “I am delighted that this important project is complete. The plant will create substantial environmental benefits for the region, generate revenue for Kazakhmys and provide a commodity that is in short supply and required for the continued development of Kazakhstan.”

MTPD - Metric Tonne per Day STPD - Short Ton per Day
MTPA - Metric Tonne per Annum STPA - Short Ton per Annum
SA - Single Absorption
DA - Double Absorption

* Coordinates can be used to locate plant on Google Earth


Sulphuric Acid on the Web^TM	Technical Manual	DKL Engineering, Inc.