Ames Copper to use SMS secondary furnace technology

Germany-based metals equipment and technology provider SMS Group says it will supply a secondary copper smelter to Ames Copper Group for its planned facility in Shelby, North Carolina. Ames is a joint venture between Connecticut-based wire processor and nonferrous recycler Prime Materials Recovery Inc. and Spain-based Cunext Group.

The proposed plant will produce up to 50,000 tons of copper anodes annually, according to SMS, with the plant startup scheduled for 2021.

SMS says the new plant will be the first secondary copper recycling facility in the United States to produce copper anodes from copper scrap and copper fines.

The equipment firm says its “scope of supply will include a tilting refining furnace, anode casting wheel, gas cleaning system, and electric and automation systems.” In addition to the equipment supplied, SMS will provide technical assistance for the installation and startup and be responsible for the layout of the core equipment, the company adds.

“With this important project, SMS underlines its strong position as a supplier of integrated solutions for the nonferrous metals industry,” the German company states.