Phoenix copper smelter

Chimney of the copper smelter

The Phoenix copper smelter was a plant for the smelting of sulfidic copper ores in Baia Mare (Frauenbach) in the Maramureș district in Romania . A sulfuric acid factory also belonged to it .

location

In the east of the district capital Baia Mare, an industrial area of the city, the area of the former copper works is not far from the national roads DN18 and DN18B .

history

The factory founded by Oscar and Arthur Weiser at the beginning of the 20th century for the production of sulfuric acid and other chemical products developed into a combine around 1925, which led to the industrialization of Baia Mares, so that the population after the Second World War rose to around 25,000 rose about 150,000 in 1990. The maximum output of the combine was the production of about 40,000 tons of copper, 120 tons of silver and 12 tons of gold per year. After the revolution of 1989 the combine was taken over by foreign investors. In 2003, the combine was taken over by two Romanian bankers and renamed Coprom Baia Mare . In 2009 the new owners had to file for bankruptcy, so that the last 190 employees were laid off.

The landmark of the former copper smelter and the town of Baia Mare is the 351.5 meter high chimney , which is also the tallest structure in Romania and the fourth tallest chimney in Europe. The structure was erected in 1995 after around three years of construction at a total cost of around 11 million US dollars at the time. At the base the chimney has a diameter of 20 meters, while it tapers to nine meters at the top. He was supposed to keep the toxic gases of the Combine away from Baia Mare, but this affected the surrounding area. In order to apply as European Capital of Culture for 2021, the city is considering building a recreational area on the site of the former copper smelter.