Significant advantages of permanent cathode technologyPermanent cathode technology have been demonstrated for copper electrowinningCopper electrowinning. The copperCopper starter-sheet operationOperation at Rustenburg Base MetalsMetal Refinery is labour-intensive, and performancePerformance is heavily dependent on structural integrity and equipmentEquipment reliabilityReliability. The viability of sustainably converting this low current densityLow current density operationOperation to use of permanent cathodesPermanent cathode was evaluated. An 18-harvest cycle pilot trial was carried out under existing plant operating conditionsOperating conditions to assess the ability to consistently produce good quality copperCopper. This paper describes the testworkTestwork results, including the installation of new cell-top furniture and busbars. Good quality copperCopper was produced from standard (low) currentCurrent density (<150 A/m2) cycles; unfavourable results were observed during higher currentCurrent density cycles (290 A/m2). Up to 92.5% current efficiencyCurrent efficiency was achieved, with minimal scrap production. For the currentCurrent electrolyteElectrolyte composition, the operational currentCurrent density, size of Pb–6%Sb anodesAnode, type of cathode edge stripsCathode edge strips, effect of over-plating, and the use of fibreglass electrode-stabilising platesStabilising plates installed at the base of the electrowinningElectrowinning cells proved to be important conversion considerations.