Simcoa Operations' $100 million Furnace Expansion was officially launched on Tuesday 6^th April 2010 with a sod-turning / tree planting ceremony to mark commencement of the project.  Simcoa was delighted to welcome Regional Development Minister, The Honourable Brendon Grylls MLA to site to perform both ‘honours’ on the day and he was ably assisted by Erv Schroeder, Simcoa’s President and Jim Brosnan, Simcoa’s Vice President. 

Distinguished guests also in attendance to mark this most important milestone in Simcoa’s history were political and government dignitaries; media and numerous other major stakeholders. 

Simcoa’s expansion is progressing to schedule with earthworks well under way to the eastern side of the existing furnaces.  Detailed design and engineering are well advanced with equipment deliveries to site commencing soon.

The new furnace will differ in design from the existing furnaces in that it will be designed to facilitate energy recovery from furnace waste heat in future.  Simcoa is also proceeding with projects to remove contamination from mine site clearing residues which will be the primary source of wood for charcoal production in future.

Simcoa is confident that with design improvements based on 20 years experience of silicon production, Simcoa’s reputation as the world’s most efficient silicon smelter will be further enhanced.

Commissioning of stage 1 of the expansion (furnace 3) is scheduled for August of next year.