Phelps Dodge Refining El Paso Refinery and Rod Plant
Large load · 897 HAWKINS BOULEVARD, El Paso, TX
The Phelps Dodge Refining plant in El Paso, Texas, owned by Freeport-McMoRan, refines copper and makes continuous cast copper rod. It buys power under El Paso Electric's electrolytic refining schedule, which has a 7,500 kW minimum contract capacity, and a 15-megawatt cogeneration facility supplies part of its electricity.
Overview
Freeport-McMoRan's rod and refining plant in El Paso makes continuous cast copper rod. The El Paso refinery has the potential to operate at an annual production capacity of about 900 million pounds of copper cathode. It also produces nickel carbonate, copper telluride and autoclaved slimes containing gold, silver, platinum and palladium.
Profile
- Electricity and grid
- El Paso Electric's Schedule 15 for electrolytic refining plants requires a minimum contract capacity of 7,500 kilowatts and is closed to customers not already on it. Service under the schedule is three phase at a primary or transmission voltage of not less than 13,800 volts at a single point of delivery. The tariff provides for firm demand in conjunction with interruptible power service. A 2019 technical paper describes a natural gas, 15-megawatt cogeneration facility with five turbine generators at the El Paso refinery. El Paso Electric is part of the Western power grid overseen by the Western Electricity Coordinating Council.
- Ownership
- The facility was developed by Phelps Dodge and is 100% owned by Freeport-McMoRan, which acquired Phelps Dodge in 2007. The Texas Title V record names Phelps Dodge Refining Corporation.
Facility
- Activity
- Copper refining and continuous cast copper rod
- Industry
- Manufacturing
- Site type
- Facility
- Operating status
- Operating
- Demand flexibility
- firm demand in conjunction with interruptible power service
Permits and agreements
- Permit
- Title V O1602 renewal effective 7/19/2023
Related records
Timeline
- Jul 19, 2023
- Title V O1602 renewal effective.
Executive Director's Marked Agenda - Operating Permits Division
- Nov 20, 2023
- Metso tankhouse modernization order.
Metso delivers technology to copper electrorefinery in USA - Metso