Aurubis now producing copper in Georgia

Germany-based metals producer Aurubis AG says the melt shop at its Aurubis Richmond facility in Augusta, Georgia, has started producing recycled-content nonferrous metals.

Aurubis is referring to the new site as the first United States multimetal recycling plant and a facility that recovers strategic metals for U.S. energy infrastructure and the defense industry, “strengthening Western supply chains for copper, nickel, tin and precious metals.”

“With Aurubis Richmond, we are the frontrunner in multimetal recycling and processing in the U.S.—a position that we already hold in Europe,” Aurubis CEO Toralf Haag says.

“We will continue expanding our wide expertise in producing key strategic raw materials here. With the high availability of recycling material and good local conditions, the American market offers Aurubis appealing prospects that we will continue to consider closely in the future as well.”

The company says demand for strategic metals such as copper is rising steadily worldwide and that U.S. industry alone currently needs about 1.8 million tons of copper per year.

As of now, Aurubis says, the U.S. imports about half of the copper it consumes. Multimetal recycling can close this gap quickly, according to the company, referring in part to its $800 million secondary smelter in Georgia.

The plant has been designed to process up to 180,000 tons of end-of-life materials annually, including printed circuit boards and copper wire and cable, recovering several nonferrous metals.

Participants at a “First Melt” ceremony held in Augusta the week of Sept. 22 included U.S. Rep. Rick W. Allen (R-Georgia) and Jens Hanefeld, Germany’s ambassador to the U.S.

“Aurubis Richmond is more than just a new plant—it is a strategic site in Georgia’s 12th District that reinforces America’s ability to supply itself with the metals that help strengthen our national security, our infrastructure and our technology leadership," Allen said at the event. "Aurubis exemplifies how international partnerships can contribute to solidifying America’s industrial foundation and strengthening our economic independence.”

“I am very proud of the achievement of the entire team that developed and built this state-of-the-art recycling plant,” Aurubis Richmond President and Managing Director David Schultheis added.