KGHM Metale to diversify into Rhenium production

KGHM Metale has commenced pilot production of Rhenium, a rare metal element retrieved from waste created during copper processing. The company hopes to control 10% of the world's Rhenium production by the end of this year. Until now the Legnica-based KGHM plant has produced 20 kg of the product a month but intends eventually to produce four tonnes a year. Rhenium's specific characteristics make it a valuable element in the manufacture of shields for spacecraft, space probes and rockets. KGHM Metale has already received a number of orders, however did not disclose the names of its trading partners. It is only known that the contracts are of high value as one kilogram of Rhenium costs as much as one tonne of copper - around $1,500. (Puls Biznesu, p. 3) A.K.