At 14:00 p.m. on December 29, local time, as the broiling Anode copper slowly flowed out of the anode furnace and was successfully cast into the first batch of anode plates, the 500ktpa Kamoa-Kakula Copper Smelter in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) operating with the Direct to Blister process, for which China Nerin provided EPCM services, started production smoothly, achieving full process interconnection. From this time on, this globally leading, technologically pioneering modern green copper smelter officially stepped into the trial production stage.

The project is designed to produce 500ktpa of anode plates and 800kt/a of sulphuric acid. Its successful production marks a major technological breakthrough in the field of high-grade copper concentrate processing in DRC, achieved through the Direct to Blister process adopted by China Nerin in collaboration with Zijin Mining, Ivanhoe Mines, and Kamoa Copper S.A.. This technical solution not only provides a replicable and promotable model for global mining peers, but also sets a demonstration benchmark for technological application and industrial upgrading in the copper smelting industry.

Upon reaching the full production capacity, the project will yield significant benefits: substantial annual savings in freight cost and considerable economic gains from sulfuric acid. Simultaneously, the smelter will directly create nearly a thousand local job opportunities, effectively drive the development of ancillary community industries, and inject robust momentum into the region's economic growth.

Under the overall planning of Kamoa Copper S.A., China Nerin has assembled a team comprising top Chinese flash smelting experts to collaborate with various participating parties to tackle challenges. Leveraging our profound technical expertise and exceptional operational management capabilities, the team has successfully overcome multiple hurdles in overseas construction, ensuring steady progress in trial production and setting several global records for the production with the Direct to Blister process. Currently, the smelter is operating stably, continuously optimizing its process parameters and advancing steadily toward fully achieving design targets.

As the project's EPCM service provider, China Nerin was deeply involved throughout the project lifecycle, delivering comprehensive services spanning front-end planning, engineering design, procurement management, construction management, commissioning, start-up support, and post-operation technical support for all areas including smelter, sulfuric acid plant, and slag flotation plant. China Nerin also supplied critical patented equipment such as slag cleaning furnace, anode furnaces, and the NDI Intelligent Expert Systems. Since the signing of the contract, Nerin's team has fully leveraged our decades of expertise in flash smelting and extensive international project management experience to overcome overseas challenges in geographical constraints and supply chain coordination to complete the project construction and commissioning on schedule with high quality. During the trial production, over 100 Chinese copper smelting experts and technical personnel were dispatched to remain on-site to provide precise technical guidance and efficient issue resolution, laying a solid foundation for the successful production of the project.

The successful commissioning of this project showcases China Nerin's profound technical expertise, robust manufacturing-construction synergy, and exceptional full-cycle operational management in the copper smelting industry, deepening the overall export of Chinese technologies, supply chains, and industrial systems. As a landmark achievement in implementing the Belt and Road Initiative and deepening China-Africa cooperation in mining sector, the project marks a significant chapter in China-Africa economic and trade cooperation and technological exchange.

Hereafter, China Nerin will continue providing full-cycle technical support to Kamoa Copper Smelter, helping build it into a world-class model, and contribute sustained "Nerin Strength" to drive the green transformation of the global copper industry, improve the well-being of local enterprises and people, and enhance the international influence of Chinese technologies and equipment.