First Quantum required regular monitoring of its stack emissions to ensure they complied with environmental regulations.

As a global copper company, First Quantum Minerals Ltd operates long-life mines and produces copper concentrates, cathodes and anodes in several countries. They own and manage the Kansanshi copper-gold mine in the North Western Province of Zambia, which produces more copper than any other mine in Africa.

THE CHALLENGE

As it is a statutory requirement under the Environmental Management Act of Zambia, First Quantum must monitor the emissions produced from their smelting processes to ensure they comply with the allowable limits, as prescribed by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA). To do so, they need the support of an independent expert in stack emissions monitoring.

EXPERT STACK EMISSIONS MONITORING SOLUTIONS

Alfred H Knight Zambia is an industry leader in stack emissions monitoring. With a dedicated team of MCERT-certified metallurgists and environmental engineers, we help organisations nationwide measure pollutants in their processes and make sense of their results.

First Quantum chose us to monitor emissions produced by all of the licensed sources at the Kansanshi smelter from inception. We utilised methodologies that comply with EPA Method 5 under the US Environmental Protection Agency. This, combined with our extensive knowledge and experience, enabled us to determine their compliance with environmental and regulatory standards.

As experts, we offer a holistic approach. Following the monitoring process, our metallurgists advised First Quantum on how to minimise the emissions. Our environmental engineers then guided them on environmental management.

Mwate Lintini – Kansanshi Smelter Environmental Superintendent

“Our business and way of working are designed to get the maximum value from each project. We know we can only succeed when we look after the environment where we operate. That is why we do not compromise our standards by working only with credible contractors like Alfred H Knight.”

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTS

Thanks to the results from Alfred H Knight’s statutory monitoring, First Quantum were able to optimise the combustion efficiency of units like incinerators, boilers, furnaces, etc. Beyond this, they were also able to utilise the results for metal accounting and process optimisation. This is because our teams can accurately determine the copper and other metal losses through the emissions.

LOOKING FOR AN EXPERT IN STACK EMISSIONS MONITORING?

Major Zambian mining companies continue to choose AHK to deliver expert stack emissions monitoring and other environmental support services. If you’re interested in these services, contact our team today to see how we can help you.