KCM’s Nchanga smelter, Nkana refinery

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KCM’s Nchanga smelter, Nkana refinery IS0 14001 certificatio
BSI awards KCM’s Nchanga smelter, Nkana refinery IS0 14001 certification
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Mon 04 Oct. 2010, 04:00 CAT [62 Reads, 0 Comment(s)]


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BRITISH Standards Institute (BSI) has awarded Konkola Copper Mines’ Nchanga smelter and Nkana refinery with the ISO 14001 certification for environmental management.

The certification follows an audit undertaken by the BSI that was done in June this year and means that all but one of KCM's operations were now up to global standards of environmental management.

The Nchanga smelter is an ultra-modern facility based on direct-to-blister technology from Outokumpu (now Outotec) of Finland with a sulphur dioxide capture of 99 per cent was awarded the certification at first attempt.

The 300, 000-tonnes capacity smelter and the refinery, which was recently refurbished and expanded from 180, 000 to 300, 000 tonnes annum capacity fall under the same Nchanga Integrated Business Unit (NIBU).

Other KCM’s entities such as Nampundwe and Konkola integrated business unit have been ISO 14001-compliant since 2007.

KCM spokesperson Jacqueline Kabeta stated that the ISO 14001 certification reflects the commitment of KCM's management and the entire workforce to compliance with international standards of environmental management.

She explained that the Muntimpa tails lines at Nchanga are also being replaced to ensure enhanced environmental performance.

“At Konkola, one of the major initiatives being undertaken is the installation of generators to stabilize power supply and ensure the quality of discharged water is not compromised by pumps failing when there is sudden power outage on the national grid,” Kabeta stated.

She stated that all KCM units have international certification OHSAS 18001 for international standards of occupational health and safety.

“This year, KCM was awarded the prestigious International Safety Award by the British Safety Council, one of the world’s leading safety watchdogs. The award followed the attainment of a three-star rating given last year by BSC under its five-star assessment for international best practices in safety,” stated Kabeta. “The five-star rating is just one step shy of the Sword of Honour, generally regarded as the ultimate accolade in international safety standards.”