The Tsumeb smelter, located in Namibia, is one of a few smelters globally that can treat complex polymetallic concentrates, including those with higher arsenic content. DPM acquired the facility in 2010 with the objective of ensuring a stable processing outlet for our complex concentrates from Chelopech. Under our management the facility has been transformed—we have doubled its capacity, improved its operational efficiency, and brought its safety and environmental performance to international standards.
The smelter processes concentrates from DPM and third-party global miners. It produces blister copper (98.5% CU) which is then refined in Europe and Asia, and sulphuric acid as a by-product, which is sold to third-party clients for use in uranium and copper mining.