Atlantic Copper

Copper Cathodes

The Cathode is the main product of our Huelva metallurgical complex. Those cathodes are fabricated in our Refinery by the electro refining of the copper anodes (final product obtained from our Smelter). Most cathode sales are mainly consumed to produce high-quality copper wire rod, that is later on processed and transformed into copper wire and cables, which final destination is primarily for electrical use. Our Grade A cathode quality is within CU-CATH-1 specifications and complies with EN 1978:1998 Standard. Atlantic Copper cathode is registered in the world reference markets (LME, COMEX, INE and SHFE) under the “FMS” brand. They are marketed in bundles of approximately 3,000 kilograms weight and 60 cathodes each.

Sulphuric Acid

Sulphuric acid is obtained from the sulphur contained in the concentrate treated in the smelting works. The acid has a standard concentration of 98.5%. Sulphuric acid has innumerable applications; it is fundamental in making fertilizers, pigments, acrylic glass, detergent and explosives. It is also vital in electrolysis, fundamentally to refine copper, nickel and uranium, and it is indispensable in water treatment, the textile fibers manucaturing and galvanizing.

Anode Slime

Anode slime is a product obtained from the copper electro refining process. It contains, among other elements, precious metals formerly contained both in the copper concentrate and in the copper recycled materials treated in our Smelter. The anode slime is sold to refineries that are specialized in processing this product to recover and refine the precious metals and other elements contained.

Iron Silicate 

Iron silicate is a product obtained from the copper ore smelting process, when silica is added to separate the iron from the rest of the components mixed in with the concentrated copper ore. The result is a chemically stable end product registered under the European Union’s REACH Regulation (Regulation 1907/2006), registration number 01-2119513228-45-0003.

Atlantic Copper’s iron silicate production process is certified by AENOR as compliant with ISO 9001, the quality management system standard. Iron silicate has quite a number of applications, but mainly it is used:

• As an abrasive: Iron silicate products can come with a range of features, depending on grain size and shape. Iron silicate grains are used to blast steel and concrete surfaces clean. They meet the requirements set in UNE-EN ISO 11126-3, and they are ideal for producing surface quality grades SA-3, SA-2½ and SA-2 and a brush-off finish.
• In civil works: Iron silicate can be used as fill, and it can be used for wearing courses. Iron silicate wearing course materials are certified by AENOR for the CE marking, which means they meet the requirements of UNE-EN 13242 on aggregates for unbound granular layers.
• As a source of iron: Iron silicate is used by the cement industry in the clinker production process.

Artificial Gypsum

Artificial gypsum comes from electrolyte solutions, which are treated with calcium hydroxide to yield a smooth material with an average calcium sulphate content of 97%. Atlantic Copper’s artificial gypsum is an easy-to-handle, pure white product and bears REACH registration number 01-2119444917-26-0120. The foremost of its many uses is in the cement industry, where it is added in the mills to retard setting.

Nickel Carbonate

Nickel carbonate is produced in a precipitation process in our refinery. This product is used as the raw material to make nickel and catalysts for the petrochemical industry and as an additive in the glassmaking and ceramic industries.

Copper Telluride

Copper telluride is yielded by treating the anode slime that the copper cathode production process leaves behind. This compound is used as a raw material to produce tellurium. The main consumer of tellurium is the metallurgy industry, for making special alloys of copper or steel. Tellurium’s other major applications are in solar panel manufacturing and the electronics industry.