Project Overview
WSHT completed a turnkey EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) project for a 500 tonnes-per-day copper sulfide processing plant in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The project was delivered on schedule and within budget, achieving all performance guarantees.
Project Background
The client is a mid-tier mining company operating a copper sulfide deposit in the Katanga Copperbelt region. The project required a complete processing plant — from primary crushing to final concentrate — capable of producing 22-25% copper concentrate for smelting.
Process Design
Crushing Circuit:
- Primary jaw crusher (600×900mm) — feed size up to 500mm
- Secondary cone crusher in closed circuit with vibrating screen
- Product size: 80% passing 12mm
Grinding Circuit:
- Ball mill (2.4m × 4.5m) in closed circuit with hydrocyclones
- Grinding product: 80% passing 150 microns
Flotation Circuit:
- Rougher flotation, scavenger flotation and two-stage cleaner flotation
- Flotation cell volumes: 20m³ rougher, 10m³ cleaner
- Reagent scheme: xanthate collector, MIBC frother, lime pH modifier
500 TPD Copper Processing Plant — DRC, Africa
Equipment Supplied
WSHT provided the complete equipment scope including:
- Jaw crusher, cone crusher, vibrating screens
- Belt conveyors, feeders and chutework
- Ball mill, hydrocyclone cluster
- Flotation cells (rougher, scavenger, cleaner banks)
- Reagent preparation and dosing system
- Thickener, filter press and concentrate handling
- Complete MCC, PLC and control system
Project Execution Results
- Throughput: 520 tpd (design 500 tpd)
- Concentrate grade: 24.5% Cu (design 22%)
- Copper recovery: 89% (design 86%)
- Project duration: 14 months from contract to first concentrate
- Equipment availability: 93% after commissioning
Customer Testimonial
The DRC-based customer praised WSHT's project management, equipment quality and after-sales support. The plant has been operating reliably for over 18 months with consistently excellent metallurgical performance.
WSHT provides complete EPC solutions for copper processing plants from 100 to 5,000+ tpd. Contact us to discuss your copper project requirements.
