Copper Mining & Refining
Copper mining and refining involves extracting ore, crushing and grinding it into a powder, then using froth flotation to create a concentrate. This concentrate is then smelted at high temperatures to separate impurities, producing blister copper. Finally, electrolytic refining purifies the copper to 99.99% purity, creating valuable copper cathodes for use in manufacturing.
Mining & Mineral Processing (Concentration)
Mining: Copper ore is extracted, often via large open-pit mines, though underground methods are also used.
Crushing & Grinding: The ore is crushed into small pieces and then ground with water into a fine slurry (powdered rock mixed with water).
Froth Flotation: Chemicals are added to make copper minerals water-repellent (hydrophobic). Air is blown through the slurry, attaching bubbles to the copper particles, which rise to the surface as a froth that’s skimmed off.
Thickening: The froth is thickened, creating a copper concentrate (around 15-30% copper) and waste tailings.
Smelting & Converting (Pyrometallurgy)
Smelting: The concentrate is heated in a furnace with fluxes (like silica) to melt it. Iron and sulfur impurities form a separate slag layer, while copper concentrates into a molten copper matte.
Conversion: Air is blown through the molten matte, oxidizing sulfur and leaving behind blister copper (about 97% pure).
Anode Casting: The blister copper is cast into large, impure copper plates called anodes.
We are global suppliers of copper cathodes from Zambia, Congo and South Africa. We deliver copper directly to reputable global refiners, smelters, fabricators and manufacturers of copper components around the world who transform these raw materials into important copper products that impact on daily lives of consumers worldwide.
We currently originate copper from Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo and we have extended our origination from South Africa.
Real Metals In Africa has got the required resources, infrastructure and logistics capacity to deliver bulk copper concentrates and copper cathodes from Africa all over the world reliably, competitively and within the required turnaround time.
Our Strategic Position in Copper Value Chain
As international suppliers of copper cathodes from Zambia, Congo and South Africa, Real Metals In Africa offers extensive market access and unique value addition by risk management, financing copper commodity flows, and integrated global logistics. We offer worldwide supply of copper cathodes grade A with 99.7% to 99.99% purity free from all foreign materials such as copper sulphate, dirt, grease and oil. These products are offered mainly on long term basis. Real Metals In Africa’s advantage is in its ability to secure long term sources. We guarantee our clients from all over the world, maximized continuity in supply of reasonably priced copper cathodes from Africa. We also collaborate with other miners, refiners and Suppliers of Copper Cathodes from Zambia, DR Congo and South Africa, if the order is larger than out capacity.
Competitive Advantage
Outsourcing your procurement of copper cathodes from Africa to us leaves risks on Real Metals In Africa enables you to gain synergies by combining value added services and reducing your purchasing costs.
Optimized and streamlined logistics processes are the foundation to withstand cost pressure in copper processing. Real Metals In Africa offers you the exclusive possibility of securing for you long term, continuous supply of copper cathodes from Africa and replenishing stocks multiple times a month or per quarter
Through these commitments, we hope to support worldwide clients and partners with the leading quality of copper concentrate and copper cathodes. Contact us for all your Copper & Cobalt requirements; contact us directly, Email: info@realmetalsinafrica.com