On January 18 local time in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the SEM Cathode Copper Phase I project, undertaken by China Railway Sixth Group, a subsidiary of CREC, was officially commissioned.
The project is a key mining cooperation initiative under the Belt and Road framework between China and the DRC. Located in Kasumbalesa City, Katanga Province, the DRC, China Railway Sixth Group is primarily responsible for the EPC construction of the 35,000-ton hydrometallurgical copper production line, including civil works, process steel structures, mechanical and electrical installation, as well as a 120-kV substation and power transmission lines.
Foundation construction for the ball mills and semi-autogenous grinding mills represented the core technical challenge, involving issues such as cracking risks in mass concrete and high-precision installation of embedded components. The project team innovatively introduced BIM technology and a mass concrete restraint stress calculation system, achieving millimeter-level installation accuracy for embedded components through three-dimensional simulation and data-driven methods, proactively identifying structural stress risks and dynamically optimizing construction solutions, thereby promoting a shift from experience-driven to data-driven construction.
In response to frequent grid fluctuations and power outages, the project team applied a Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) system together with intelligent microgrid black-start technology to the power supply and distribution system of the large-scale hydrometallurgical copper plant. This effectively equipped the power system with a smart brain and rapid-response nerves, enabling fast and safe power restoration in the event of grid abnormalities and significantly enhancing the reliability and continuity of power supply.
Upon completion of construction, SEM Cathode Copper Phase I will become a modern large-scale hydrometallurgical copper mining project integrating mining, beneficiation, and smelting, with a daily ore processing capacity of up to 9,000 tons and a monthly copper output of 2,500 tons. The project will be of great significance in enhancing the comprehensive utilization of local mineral resources and advancing the industrialization process.
