Britannia Refined Metals Opens New Sampling Plant To Support Critical Mineral Recovery

Kent-based Britannia Refined Metals (BRM), a key primary lead producer in Europe, has opened its new £41m sampling plant in Northfleet.

The plant will sample copper-bearing waste for further processing and refining to recover copper and other identified critical minerals, supporting the UK’s circular economy and global demand for recycled copper.

BRM’s investment is part of its ambition to diversify its operations and expand into recycling copper-bearing waste, alongside its expertise in lead refining. BRM is part of Glencore, one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 commodities.

The new facility was officially opened by the Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Jenny Wallace before guests were invited to tour the plant. The new facility has the capacity to sample up to 25,000 tonnes of copper bearing waste annually – much of it is expected to be recovered from recycled appliances, including fridges and microwaves, e-scrap and automotive wires.

The sampling plant will take copper-bearing waste and pass it through a series of shredders to reduce the size of the waste material. BRM’s sample preparation facility will then roast the shredded waste material through a tray furnace and an induction furnace to divide it into even smaller samples, ready for collection and chemical analysis to determine the amount of copper and other metals contained.

Marc Bedard, Head of Zinc and Metallurgical Assets at BRM’s parent company Glencore, said: “BRM’s new sampling plant signals our commitment to working with our customers in recovering critical minerals from waste and producing materials like copper which can be used for infrastructure, mobility, energy, and security technologies. The plant offers real potential to increase the lifecycle of critical minerals.”

When operating at full capacity the new facility is expected to employ approximately 20 people in a combination of operational, engineering and management roles, adding to BRM’s existing workforce of around 150 in Kent.

Paul Odendaal, Development Engineer, Britannia Refined Metals, added: “We are proud to have made this investment here in Kent, where BRM has been part of the local community for nearly a century. We are confident that BRM can continue to play an important part in the global critical minerals supply chain and look forward to continuing to work with local suppliers and businesses.”

Kent-based Gallagher Group was the principal contractor for the construction of the state-of-the-art facility. Gallagher worked in close conjunction with global engineering and professional services firm WSP, as well as managing subcontractors throughout the design and construction phases. Subcontractors included Halsion Limited for the 'Balance of Plant' mechanical and electrical scope, Menard UK for ground improvement, H Young Structures Limited for the steel frame and ICS Limited for roofing and cladding.

The investment at Northfleet is part of BRM’s ambition to support the UK’s critical minerals supply chain by boosting the recycling of copper and other precious metals from waste electrical and electrical equipment (WEEE).

With the country’s last copper refinery closing in 1999, BRM believes the sampling plant is a step towards closing the gap in copper processing capability.

BRM’s new plant will be supplied with copper-bearing waste by companies such as SWEEEP Kuusakoski based in Sittingbourne, which currently reprocesses and recycles 25 percent of the UK’s small electrical appliances.

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