Xstrata Copper's North Chile Division has completed the construction of a smelter dust treatment plant at its Altonorte metallurgical facility in the Antofagasta region of Chile.
The project will allow Altonorte to safely recycle the metallurgical dust that the smelter generates during the copper concentrate fusion process.
"This project forms part of Xstrata Copper's commitment to the people of Antofagasta to convert Altonorte into a world-class metallurgical facility that meets the highest environmental standards," said Jon Evans, North Chile division’s COO.
The plant has the capacity to treat 100 metric tons of dust a day and will be able to treat all the daily production of dust and inventories of dust stored at Altonorte.