Extraction and production

In 2014, KGHM extracted 31 million tonnes of ore (dry weight). This was approx. 0.4 million tonnes more than in 2013. The increase in production can be attributed to the increase in daily output, on working days, and intensification of work, on nonworking days. The average copper content in extracted ore amounted to 1.53 per cent and was lower than what was achieved in 2013 (1.57 per cent), due to a decrease in the content of the red metal in the deposit.

As a result, the amount of copper in mined ore was lower than in 2013 by 8.5 thousand tonnes and reached 473.3 thousand tonnes.

In 2014, 370 thousand tonnes more of the dry weight ore was processed, in relation to 2013. The decline in the copper content of the treated ore directly contributed to the decrease in the amount of copper in concentrate by 7.6 thousand tonnes, amounting to 421.3 thousand tonnes. Production of dry weight concentrate decreased in relation to 2013 by about 14 thousand tonnes (a decrease from 1 856 thousand tonnes to 1 842 thousand tonnes). The amount of silver in concentrate was lower than in 2013 by 1.1 per cent (down from 1 199 tonnes to 1 186 tonnes).

Mining production

Electrolytic copper production increased by 11.7 thousand tonnes, compared to 2013 (2 per cent) and reached the highest level in the history of the Company, i.e. 576.9 thousand tonnes. High metallurgical production was achieved despite a maintenance shutdown in the Legnica smelter/ refinery. Increased processing of own concentrates and a share of purchased copper-bearing materials (scrap, copper blister, and imported concentrate) contributed to increased production levels. Supplementing own concentrate with outside sources allowed for the effective use of existing technological capabilities.

Metallurgical production