HUNGNAM NONFERROUS METALS PLANT NORTH KOREA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00909A000900010053-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 6, 2008
• Sequence Number: 53
• Publication Date: November 1, 1969
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/10/06: CIA-RDP79T00909A000900010053-9
Top Secret
Industrial Facilities
(Non-Military)
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Basic Imagey Interpretation Report
' Hungnam Nonferrous Metals Plant
(BE Name: Hungnam Copper Refinery)
North Korea
Top Secret
RCS i -z, /nn Ln i-7n
25X1
DATE NOVEMBER 1969
copy 109
PAGES 6
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
Imagery Analysis Service
Hungnam Copper Refinery*
52SCV817100
MAP REFERENCE
548th R M0_580-41-11. 4th ed., Anr 68- :200,000
(SECRET
A detailed analysis of the Hungnam Nonferrous Metals Plant in North Korea
on high-resolution photography shows that the primary products of the plant are
refined nonferrous metals, probably copper, lead, and nickel. Secondary
products include refined precious metals such as gold and silver which are
recovered as by-products from the electrolyte solution used in the refining
processes.
This report covers the period from November 1962 to August 1969. In
November 1962, the plant contained two electrolytic cell buildings and a
precious metals recovery unit which were probably operational. In addition,
an ore smelting facility was present, but the first evidence of its operation
was in January 1966 when smoke emissions were observed. By October 1963, a
third electrolytic cell building was present and was probably operational.
Between October 1963 and December 1964 a second precious metals recovery unit
was constructed and coal handling facilities for the steamplant were added.
Between May 1966 and November 1968 the smelter was expanded. Additional
support facilities were also constructed during the reporting period.
This report includes a photograph and detailed line drawing of the plant
and a chronological summary of construction and operational status.
*NOTE: The installation name given in the Data Block is from the Basic
Encyclopedia. The results of this study show that the name should be
Hungnam Nonferrous Metals Plant.
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The Hungnam Nonferrous Metals Plant is about 6 nautical miles southeast of
Hamhung, Hamhung-si Province, North Korea (see Figure I). The nonferrous ores
are transported to the plant by rail from nearby mines. Ore smelters at Munchon
and Nampo probably send processed ores to the Hungnam plant to be further refined
electrolytically.
Electric power for the plant is received from the regional grid through a
small transformer yard located to the west of the plant.
Physical Features
The plant occupies an irregular-shaped area approximately 1,500 by 500
feet which contains about 18 acres (see Figures 2 and 3). The entire plant is
secured with two controlled-access entrances. A rail spur from the main rail
.line between Wonsan and Tanchon enters the plant from the south. A road enters
the plant from the north. Berthing facilities for both oceangoing and coastal
vessels are located just south of the plant on the Sea of Japan.
Operational Functions
The primary function of the plant is the electrolytic refining of nonferrous
metals which probably include copper, lead, nickel, and precious metals such as
gold and silver. Processed ores are probably brought in by rail and truck from
other ore smelters. In addition,small quantities of ore are brought by rail
into a receiving and storage area. After smelting, these ores are further
refined, again by the electrolytic process. The sulfuric acid which is used
in the electrolytic cells is probably provided by the sulfuric acid production
facilities at an adjacent fertilizer plant. I/ Precious metals are recovered
as by-products from the residues within the electrolytic cells.
The major plant facilities are an ore smelting facility, three electrolytic
cell buildings, and precious metals recovery units.
Construction Chronology
The plant has been covered on overhead photography since late 1962. In
November 1962, the plant contained two electrolytic cell buildings, a smelter,
a precious metals recovery section, and support buildings. Most of the refining
facilities at the plant however, predate the Korean conflict of the early 1950's.
The facilities were heavily damaged during the conflict and were put back into
operation about 1957 with assistance from the Soviet Union.
Between 1962 and 1969, an additional electrolytic ceil building was
constructed and the steamplant, smelting section, and numerous support facilities
were expanded. Some minor support facilities were dismantled during this period.
The chronology of construction is shown graphically in Figure 3.
Operational Status
In November 1962, the existing refining facilities (Areas B and C) were
probably in partial operation, as evidenced by the presence of rail cars, trucks,
and construction activity. The third electrolytic cell building was probably
operational in October 1963, when it was first observed complete. On the basis
of smoke emissions from associated stacks, the smelting section (Area A) was
first observed in operation in 1966 and the casting section of the electrolytic
cell building in Area B in March 1968. Smoke emissions were observed at these
stacks on all subsequent photography.
On photography of August 1969 the nonferrous metals plant appeared to be
in full operation.
-3-
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25A-i
FIGURE 2. HUNGNAM NONFERROUS METALS PLANT,
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^Q.
KEY TO ANNOTATIONS
AREA
DESCRIPTION
A
ORE RECEIVING AND SMELTING SECTION
1. ORE RECEIVING STORAGE BUILDING (LOCATED OUTSIDE SECURED AREA)
2. SUPPORT BUILDING
3. WAREHOUSE
4. ORE PREPARATION UNIT
5. BAG HOUSE
6. SUPPORT FACILITY
7. SMELTING SECTION
8. ORE STORAGE BUILDING
9. ORE HANDLING FACILITY
10. CASTING SECTION
B
ELECTROLYTIC REFINERY
11. ELECTROLYTIC CELL SECTION (PROBABLY REFINING COPPER)
12. ELECTROLYTIC CELL/CASTING SECTION
13. SUPPORT SECTION
14. RECTIFIER SECTION
15. ACID REGENERATION FACILITY
16. SUPPORT SECTION
17. SUPPORT SECTION
18. BYPRODUCTS RECOVERY FACILITIES(GOLD AND SILVER)
19. SUPPORT BUILDING
C
ELECTROLYTIC REFINERY
20. PROBABLE ELECTROLYTE MIXING BUILDING
21. ELECTROLYTIC CELL BUILDING (PROBABLY REFINING NICKEL)
22. PRECIOUS METALS RECOVERY UNIT
23. ACID REGENERATION FACILITY
24. ELECTROLYTIC CELL/CASTING BUILDING (PROBABLY REFINING LEAD)
25. CASTING/STORAGE BUILDING
D
SUPPORT AREA
26. WAREHOUSE
27. COAL STORAGE BUILDING
28. STEAMPLANT
29. WORKSHOP
30. SUPPORT BUILDING
31. SUPPORT BUILDING
32. ADMINISTRATION BUILDINGS (OUTSIDE SECURED AREA)
33. TRANSFORMER YARD AND CONTROL BUILDING (OUTSIDE SECURED AREA)
STACK
BUILDING
CONVEYOR
WALL
FENCE
RAILROAD
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I
I
PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 1962
BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1962 AND OCTOBER 1963
BETWEEN OCTOBER 1963 AND DECEMBER 1964
BETWEEN DECEMBER 1964 AND MAY 1966
BETWEEN MAY 1966 AND AUGUST 1969
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Map
548th RTG. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet M0380-4HL 4t edition,,
April 1968, Scale 1:200,000 (SECRET 25X1
25X1
1. CIA. RCS 13/0235/69, Hungnam Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant, Hungnam,
North Korea, June 1969, OP SEMR-E-77-0777 25X1
Requirement
COMIREX N02
Support Number 420103
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Top Secret
Top Secret
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