Aurubis has completed the largest overhaul of the copper plant in Bulgaria in the last 30 years

Aurubis Bulgaria AD, part of the world's leading non-ferrous metals supplier Aurubis AG, has completed the largest overhaul of its copper production facilities in Pirdop and Zlatitsa in three decades. Within two months, 120 projects were completed, with an investment of BGN 230 million ensuring the long-term operation of the facilities with the most advanced technologies available.

"The successful completion of such a large-scale project in just two months is clear proof of our capabilities. Aurubis can carry out complex projects safely and reliably. This is a strategic investment in the long-term operation of the plant, which is a key pillar of the Group," said Tim Kurt, Chief Operating Officer of Aurubis AG Group and CEO of Aurubis Bulgaria AD.

The activities were prepared for more than a year and involved 2,000 specialists and workers from 12 countries in addition to the Aurubis Bulgaria team. As with regular activities, health and safety was a top priority. Following the completion of the overhaul, the company is ready to extend the interval between planned maintenance shutdowns from two to three years.

A key project during the overhaul was the complete reconstruction of the smelting furnace, the main unit in metallurgical production with a capacity of 1.5 million tons of copper concentrates. Three hundred tons of steel structures and 15 km of copper pipes in the furnace were renovated. To replace all the brickwork, over 100 trucks delivered 1,500 tons of firebricks, equivalent to the construction of 40 single-family houses.

To improve environmental performance, two dry electrofilters in metallurgy with a total mass of 900 tons were replaced. A modular design was used, which allowed for pre-assembly of the filters and their replacement within the scheduled repair period. A 750-ton chain crane, installed and dismantled on site at the plant, was used for installation.

The third major project within the scope of the repair is the largest renovation of the sulfuric acid production facilities in the last 20 years, with the replacement of a contactor and six heat exchangers with a total weight of over 1,000 tons. Sulfuric acid is a major by-product of copper production.

“Our team, together with our partners, carried out the demanding renovation projects with the highest level of professionalism,” emphasized Tim Kurt. "We would like to thank everyone who participated in this achievement. It is important to see how adhering to the highest health and safety standards pays off."

The overhaul is part of the four-year program “Aurubis: Investments for Progress. Bulgaria 2027” with a total value of BGN 800 million, which secures the long-term future of the plant near Pirdop and Zlatitsa and implements Aurubis' strategy to provide materials that are key to the European economy. The expansion of the production capacity of refined (cathode) copper in Bulgaria to 340,000 tons per year has begun. Refined copper is a major export of the country. The increase in installed capacity for own solar energy to 41 MWp, energy efficiency projects, and the modernization of water treatment and slag cooling technologies are also underway.

Aurubis AG is a leading global supplier of non-ferrous metals and one of the largest copper recycling companies in the world. Aurubis AG shares are listed on the Prime Standard segment of the German Stock Exchange and are registered in the MDAX, Global Challenges Index (GCX) and STOXX Europe 600.

Aurubis Bulgaria AD operates the copper smelting plant near Pirdop and Zlatitsa and is Bulgaria's largest industrial exporter and importer, with a structural importance for the country's economy.