Optimum Use of Natural Resources Based on an Energy Management System

摘要

Copper smelters play an important role in the extractive metallurgy of copper, with 80 % of mining Output pro-cessed in primary smelters to produce copper cathodes, while the remaining 20 % is refined at hydrometallurgical plants at mines. Energy accounts for around one third of smelting and refining operating costs; therefore, appropri-ate energy management is of essence to boost sustainability in an increasingly competitive economic world, in addition to ever-rising demand for environmental protection. Key aspects such as the Integration of energy efficiency into an Organization's scorecard,the assimilation of energy criteria in everyday workplace decision-making, the implementa-tion of projects to reduce specific energy consumption and the recovery and use of residual heat from metallurgical processes will inevitably set the path for any responsible Operations with their eyes fixed on the long term.