About the company

Company History

Initially established as the Janghang Smelter in 1936,
LS MnM has grown into a world-class metals and materials company.
Here are some of the milestones we have achieved along the way.

Towards becoming the world’s best smelter

Reorganized core competencies around key businesses, and adopted IT system management and smart factories.

These changes helped design the framework for the company’s growth into the world’s best smelter.

histrory_2021_12
2021. Dec

Acquired ‘Copper Mark,’ an ESG certification in the global copper industry (first among Asian smelting companies)

We were the first company in Asia to receive the Copper Mark for ESG certification in the global copper industry.

histrory_2020_06
2020. Jun

Received the Presidential Commendation on ‘Non-ferrous Metal Day’

Received the Presidential Commendation for 2 consecutive years for contributing to the development of national key industries, including smart factories.

histrory_2020_05
2020. May

Innovated the rank system

Reorganized the hierarchy-based rank system into role-based ranks and titles. Changed the titles ‘employee,’ ‘assistant manager,’ ‘manager,’ and ‘deputy general manager’ to ‘associates’ and ‘managers’.

histrory_2020_04
2020. Apr

LSNzine awarded the Grand Winner prize at the Mercury Awards.

Company newsletter LSNzine awarded the Grand Winner prize at the ‘Mercury Awards,’ the world's most prestigious promotional material contest.

histrory_2019_10
2019. Oct

Signed the longest/largest mineral contract.

Signed the largest ever mineral contract with Canada's global mining company ‘FQM’ (15 years / 1.8 million tons).

histrory_2019_09
2019. Sep

Signed the longest mineral contract.

Signed the longest mineral contract ever (10 years / 1 million tons) with global resource development company ‘Tech Resources.’

histrory_2018_11
2018. Nov

Start of the ‘Yongsan Era’

Seoul Office's relocation to LS Yongsan Tower is expected to open the doors for new opportunities for collaboration with the affiliates of LS Group.

histrory_2018_07
2018. Jul

Smart Factory ‘ODS Project’ Master Plan Kicked Off

Launched the master plan for the ODS (Onsan Digital Smelter) Project in order to achieve an unparalleled competitive advantage in the smelting business.

histrory_2017_08
2017. Aug

Celebrated 30 years of dispute-free relations.

Became the fifth Korean company to achieve the record of ‘30 years of dispute-free relations’ by creating a labor culture that promotes harmony and the active implementation of innovation and change.

histrory_2016_11
2016. Nov

Declared a new vision in celebration of the 80th anniversary: ‘Global No.1 Smelter.’

Pledged to take a new leap with the declaration of the new vision of ‘Global No.1 Smelter’ based on our 80 years of heritage.

histrory_2015_09
2015. Sep

Opened our in-house daycare center ‘Geumeundong.’

In September 2015, LS MnM opened the ‘Geumeundong,’ a daycare center for the children of LS MnM employees, located within the company's housing complex. The Geumeundong center takes its name after the company's core products, namely gold, silver, and copper.

histrory_2015_05
2015. May

Groundbreaking ceremony for the PRM Precious Metal Recovery Plant

In May 2015, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Chile for PRM's precious metal recovery plant, which was jointly established by LS MnM and Codelco, the world's largest copper producer in Chile.

  • 2021

    Dec Acquired ‘Copper Mark,’ an ESG certification in the global copper industry (first among Asian smelting companies).

    Aug Declared ESG management.

    Jun Completion ceremony for the PSA Lines 11 and 12.

  • 2020

    Jun Received Presidential Commendation on ‘Non-ferrous Metal Day.’

    May Completion ceremony for the PSA Lines 9 and 10.

    May Innovated the rank system.

    Apr Company newsletter LSNzine awarded the Grand Winner prize at the ‘Mercury Awards,’ one of the three most prestigious promotional material contests in the world.

  • 2019

    Oct Signed the largest/longest copper ore purchase contract: FQM (First Quantum Minerals, a resources development company in Canada) 1.8 million tons/15 years.

    Sep Signed the longest copper ore purchase contract: Tech Resources (a global resources development company) 1 million tons/10 years.

  • 2018

    Nov Seoul office relocated: ASEM Tower in Gangnam-gu → LS Yongsan Tower in Yongsan-gu

    Jul Smart Factory ‘ODS Project’ Master Plan Kicked Off.

  • 2017

    Dec Completion ceremony for the PSA Lines 7 and 8.

    Nov Celebrated 30 years of dispute-free relations.

    Aug Signed the contract for selling the Cobre Panama Project.

    Feb The Perfection Project, the project for advancing the business management infrastructure, kicked off.

  • 2016

    Nov Declared a new vision in celebration of the 80th anniversary: ‘Global No.1 Smelter’

    Jun Completion ceremony for the PSA Line 6 (75,000 tons/year).

    Feb First delivery of Ag Paste to Hanwha Q Cells (500kg).

  • 2015

    Dec Completed the construction of the rare metal Bistin plant. / Completed the construction of the Ag Paste plant.

    Sep Opened the in-house daycare center Geumeundong.

    Jun Held the completion ceremony for the PSA Line 5 (60,000 tons/year).