Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has closed its Nchanga smelter in Zambia for three weeks for repair work following a molten metal leakage from one of the furnaces.
"The shutdown period will be used to conduct repairs to the furnace before commencing system heating-up to restart the processing plant," the copper miner said in a statement.
It said no loss of life or injuries were recorded as a result of the leak, which took place on Monday.
KCM said the incident has been reported to the mine safety department.
The company said last January that it would close the Nchanga smelter for 45 days between July and August to upgrade infrastructure.
The exercise will cost $27.63 million, which will include a control system upgrade for the smelter with a capacity of 311,000 tonnes per year.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
