Canadian mining company Ivanhoe Mines has announced that its Phase 3 concentrator at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached commercial production.
Set to produce approximately 150,000 tons of copper per year, the concentrator is poised to increase annual copper production from the complex to over 600,000 tons. Last month, Phases 1, 2 and 3 reached a combined production rate of 35,941 tons.
“Kamoa-Kakula’s record-setting production in July marks the onset of rapid copper growth over the second half of 2024, with Phase 3 on track to increase annualized production capacity from approximately 450,000 tons to over 600,000 tons,” stated Ivanhoe Mines Executive Co-Chairman, Robert Friedland.
Ivanhoe Mines is expected to commission the complex’s fine-grinding mills by the end of August 2024. Currently undergoing installation, the mills are set to increase the complex’s copper concentrate recovery rate from approximately 80% to the nameplate target of 86%.
