Canada’s Ivanhoe Mines announced that production at Kamoa-Kakula mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has begun on May 25 which is several months ahead of schedule, according to company’s latest press release on Wednesday.
Production capacity
Phase 1 yearly production levels for copper concentrate is forecast at 3.8mn mt and 200,000mt of copper. Phase 1 and 2 combined are projected to produce 400,000mt of copper per year.
Ivanhoe projects contained copper in concentrate produced by Kamoa-Kakula Project at 80,000-90,000mt until the end of the year. The company’s exploration journey began over two decades ago. Kamoa-Kakula is currently the second largest mining complex in the world.
The company will provide updates on Phase 1 copper concentrate off-take agreements in the coming months.
Kamoa-Kakula, according to the company’s latest report, mined 357,000mt of ore in April, grading 5.70pc copper including 121,000mt grading 8.40pc copper from mine’s high grade centre.
Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project is a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining Group, both 39.6pc stake owners each, Crystal River Global Limited has 0.8pc stake and 20pc belongs to DRC.