About the company
Company History
Initially established as Janghang Smelter in 1936, LS MnM has grown into a world-class metals/materials company.
Here are some of the milestones we have accomplished on the way.
Journey towards the top
In September 1999, ‘LG-Nikko Copper,’ a joint venture between LG and Japan Korea Joint Smelting (JKJS), was launched. In 2005, it was incorporated into LS Group and changed its name to ‘LS-Nikko Copper.’ In 2010, we declared a new vision, 2020 20 2. This vision will push us towards becoming an innovative global leader in the metal industry.
LS-Nikko Copper signed an agreement with Chile's Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, on the construction and operation of a precious metal recovery facility and established a joint venture.
On the 47th Taxpayer's Day, LS-Nikko Copper was awarded the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit in recognition of its contribution to improving national finance and competitiveness by faithfully paying taxes, including customs duties, and exporting $3.63 billion a year.
In December 2012, in celebration of the 48th Trade Day, LS-Nikko Copper received the 6 Billion Dollar Export Tower Award.
In June 2012, LS Gold Bar, LS-Nikko Copper's exclusive gold bar brand, was launched.
On December 12th, 2011, at the ceremony of the 47th Trade Day, LS-Nikko Copper received the 5 Billion Dollar Export Tower Award.
On June 10, 2011, a ceremony was held to mark the completion of the new LS-Nikko Copper port. port at Onsan Port, Ulju-gun, Ulsan.
LS-Nikko Copper commenced a 12 billion-won facility expansion in September 2010, securing an annual production capacity of 600,000 tons of electrolytic copper. (Refining 560,000 tons/y → 600,000 tons/y)
In May 2011, LS-Nikko Copper held a completion ceremony for the GRM plant, the largest resource recycling subsidiary in Korea, at the Maepo Resource Recycling Agricultural Complex in Danyang, Chungcheongbuk-do. GRM specializes in recovering copper, gold, silver, etc. by melting resources, such as copper scrap from the electrical, electronic, semiconductor, and automobile industries.
In December 2010, a strategy declaration ceremony was held to announce the company's growth into an innovative global leader in the metal industry, aiming for 20 trillion won in sales and 2 trillion won in pre-tax profit by 2020.
On November 30th, 2010, in celebration of the 46th Trade Day, LS-Nikko Copper received the 4 Billion Dollar Export Tower Award in recognition of successfully reaching 4 billion dollars in exports.
LS-Nikko Copper acquired Hwachang Co., Ltd., a company specializing in lead recycling, in September 2010 as part of its goal to strengthen its metal recycling business.
In January 2010, the Resources Technology Research Lab was launched with the goal of conducting research in the field of comprehensive recycling raw material processing and recycling of electrical and electronic materials. (Located in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do, scheduled to relocate to Pangyo in January 2012) Also, the name of the Technology Research Lab was changed to Metal Material Research Lab.
On November 30th, 2009, in celebration of the 45th Trade Day, LS-Nikko Copper received the 2 Billion Dollar Export Tower Award in recognition of successfully reaching 2 billion dollars in exports.
In November 2009, LS-Nikko Copper acquired a 10% stake in ERI, the largest waste printed circuit board (PCB) collector in California, USA. (17.9% stake as of 2011)
In March 2009, LS-Nikko Copper acquired Recytech Korea, a company that collects waste home appliances and processes them into raw materials for smelting.
In December 2008, LS-Nikko Copper acquired TORECOM, a company that recycles metal resources through secondary processing of recovered resources, such as gold, silver, platinum, indium, and palladium.
LS-Nikko Copper commenced a 14.7 billion-won facility expansion in January 2007, securing an annual production capacity of 560,000 tons of electrolytic copper. (Refining 520,000 tons/y → 560,000 tons/y)
In March 2008, the LS-Nikko Copper Technology Research Lab, the center for commercialization of key materials for future society, was established.
In September 2005, LS-Nikko Copper declared its mid- to long-term growth strategy, which included its goal of growing into a global player leading the global copper smelting market by 2015 by finalizing four major business and competency projects.
With LG Cable Group being separated from LG Group and reborn as LS Group, the company name of LG-Nikko Copper Inc. was officially changed to LS-Nikko Copper Inc.
From 2000 to the end of October 2002, LG-Nikko Copper invested approximately 54 billion won to expand its copper smelting production capacity. (Smelting 420,000 tons/y, refining 450,000 tons/y).
LG-Nikko Copper obtained “LME Grade A” for the electrolytic copper produced at Onsan 2nd Plant in January 2000, thanks to the successful operation of Onsan 2nd Plant.
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2014
09 Increased 80,000-ton production of electrolytic copper (annual production capacity 600 kt → 680 kt)
07 Established a joint corporation with Codelco for a precious metal recovery plant.
02 Completed the construction of a new Ag Powder Plant (120 tons/year)
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2013
03 Awarded the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit on the 47th Taxpayer's Day.
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2012
12 Received the 6 Billion Dollar Export Tower Award.
06 Launched the mini LS Gold Bar.
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2011
12 Received the 5 Billion Dollar Export Tower Award.
06 Completed the construction of a new LS-Nikko Copper port./Increased investment for 40,000-ton production of electrolytic copper.
05 Completed the construction of GRM.
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2010
12 2020 20 2 Strategy Declaration Ceremony. / Designated as one of the 100 technologies that drove economic growth.
11 Received the 4 Billion Dollar Export Tower Award.
09 Acquired Hwachang Co., Ltd.
01 Established the Resource Technology Research Lab and changed the name of the Technology Research Center.
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2009
11 Received the 2 Billion Dollar Export Tower Award. / Acquired stakes in ERI.
03 Acquired Recytech Korea.
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2008
12 Acquired TORECOM.
04 Increased investment for 40,000-ton production of electrolytic copper.
03 Established the LS-Nikko Copper Technology Research Laboratary.
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2005
09 Held the mid- to long-term growth strategy declaration ceremony.
03 Incorporated into LS Group (Changed company name to LS-Nikko Copper).
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2002
10 Increased investment for 50,000-ton production of electrolytic copper.
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2000
01 Onsan 2nd Plant electrolytic copper registered as LME Grade A.
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1999
09 Established the joint venture LG-Nikko Copper Inc.
