KOLWEZI -
In February, the project mined and stockpiled 339,000 tonnes of ore grading 5.50% copper from the Kakula and Kansoko mines. The tonnage was 13% higher than January, while the copper grade continued to trend higher.
The new production record in February was achieved even with undertaking the scheduled conveyor belt changeover to the permanent configuration at the
The 339,000 tonnes mined in February include 47,300 tonnes grading 4.62% copper from the
The project's pre-production surface stockpiles now contain approximately 2.16 million tonnes of high-grade and medium-grade ore at an estimated blended average of 4.44% copper. Contained copper in the stockpiles increased by approximately 19,000 tonnes in February - a 19.2% increase over January's production - to a cumulative total of more than 95,000 tonnes (the current copper price is approximately
Kamoa-Kakula is on track to have more than three million tonnes of high-grade and medium-grade ore stockpiled on surface, holding more than 125,000 tonnes of contained copper, prior to the planned start of processing in
Potential for sustained higher copper prices draws attention to the project's exceptional economics using long-term copper prices of
In
Since the IDP20 was published, spot copper prices have surged to new nine-year highs of more than
The Kakula 2020 FS highlights that a mining rate of 6 Mtpa yields an after-tax NPV8% of
The Kakula-Kansoko 2020 PFS highlights that a mining rate of 7.6 Mtpa yields an after-tax NPV8% of
The Kamoa-Kakula 2020 PEA highlights that a mining rate of 19 Mtpa yields an after-tax NPV8% of
'We've been publicly stating for the record confidence about higher copper prices in real terms for a long time. The stars now are aligning for the start of production at Kamoa-Kakula,' said
'The economics for pushing ahead with the Phase 3 and 4 expansions to bring the project's mining rate to 19 Mtpa are compelling,'
Underground mine development remains well ahead of schedule, providing the confidence to push forward with Kamoa-Kakula's Phase 2 construction
February's advancement of 2,798 metres brings total underground development to approximately 35.5 kilometres - around 12.4 kilometres ahead of schedule. The monthly underground development in February was comprised of 2,389 metres at the
Drift-and-fill stoping operations are progressing well at the
'We continue to successfully mine the high-grade stoping areas in the center of the
Jumbo drill in operation in a 10-metre-high by 7.5-metre-wide high-grade stoping area in the central part of the
Kansoko's ore mined in February was approximately 47,300 tonnes at an average grade of 4.62% copper. The tonnage was 82% higher than achieved in January and the average copper grade was 7% higher. Kansoko now has introduced a third mining crew, and is ramping up production. Kansoko will be an important part of the production mix for the Phase 2 concentrator plant when it begins operations - currently planned for Q3 2022.
Phase 1 copper production from the
A 2020 independent audit of Kamoa-Kakula's greenhouse gas intensity metrics performed by
Mechanic
The ore being mined from the northern portion of the
Additional pre-production ore stockpiles are located at the Kakula southern decline (677,000 tonnes at a blended grade of 4.47% copper) and the Kansoko decline (251,000 tonnes at blended grade of 3.31% copper).
Kakula's main pre-production stockpiles at the northern declines. The blended stockpiles currently contain approximately 1.23 million tonnes grading 4.65% copper.
Construction of the initial 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant and other surface infrastructure now 78% complete; first stage of commissioning underway; earthworks and civil works progressing well for the second 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant
Overall progress of Kamoa-Kakula's first phase, 3.8-Mtpa mining and milling operation (covering mine infrastructure, concentrator plant and surface infrastructure) now is approximately 78% complete, compared to 71% in January. Overall construction of the project's first phase, 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant and associated facilities is advancing rapidly and is approximately 62% complete, up from 43% complete last month. The concentrator plant remains on track to be mechanically complete in Q2 2021, with first copper concentrate production scheduled for
Delivery of equipment for the first concentrator plant is nearing completion with more than 2,370 truckloads of equipment and material having been delivered to site. The last shipments of switchgear and transformers for emergency power are scheduled to arrive in March and
Structural steel erection and platework installation for the first concentrator plant is effectively complete. The structural, mechanical, piping and platework (SMPP) contractor now is focused on piping and valve installation; this is nearing 70% completion.
Civil works for the first concentrator plant is effectively complete and the civil contractor now is focused on the Phase 2 concentrator plant, with work progressing in most areas.
Electrical, controls & instrumentation (EC&I) installation is the last activity before construction completion and subsequent commissioning. Cable installation and cable termination is well advanced, with more than 150,000 metres of copper cable installed out of a total of 207,000 metres (207 kilometres). The installation of instrumentation is well underway and the energizing of the concentrator plant with medium-voltage power is scheduled for the end of
Electrical installation at the backfill plant is well advanced and construction completion is expected at roughly the same time as the processing plant. The backfill plant is scheduled to be complete well before paste backfill is required for mining operations.
The backfill plant will be used to mix tailings from the processing plant with cement to produce paste backfill. The backfill will be pumped back into the mine and used to help support mined-out areas. Approximately one half of the mine's tailings will be sent back underground, significantly reducing the surface tailings storage.
Construction of the tailings storage facility is progressing well and is scheduled to be completed well ahead of the required date.
Construction of the second 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant is progressing well with the current focus on earthworks and civil works. Both earthworks and civil works are tracking slightly ahead of schedule. With orders for all the long-lead items of equipment for the Phase 2 concentrator placed in
Construction of the secondary crushing building now is complete.
Discussions for the marketing of Kakula's copper concentrates nearing completion
Kamoa-Kakula is nearing the completion of agreements with respect to the sale of its copper concentrates during Phase 1 operations. Kakula is expected to produce an extremely high-grade and clean copper concentrate (containing over 55% copper) that will be highly coveted by copper smelters around the world. Metallurgical test work indicates that the Kakula concentrates contain extremely low arsenic levels by world standards - approximately 0.01%.
Kamoa-Kakula connected to 220-kV national electrical grid; the first of six turbines at the refurbished Mwadingusha hydropower plant now synchronized to the national electrical grid - providing clean, renewable hydropower
In
Ivanhoe Mines Energy DRC also announced that the first of six new turbines at the Mwadingusha hydropower plant was synchronized to the national electrical grid in
The fully-refurbished Mwadingusha hydropower plant is expected to deliver approximately 78 megawatts of power to the national electrical grid.
COVID-19 prevention and treatment initiatives enhanced while maintaining risk management strategy
Kamoa-Kakula continues to focus on prevention, preparation and mitigation in managing the risks associated with COVID-19. Large-scale testing, combined with focused preventative measures, ensures that positive cases are quickly identified, isolated and treated, with cross contamination kept to a minimum.
The project has a well-established COVID-19 isolation facility at the Kamoa Camp. Suspected cases and positive patients are moved to this facility, where they are isolated and treated. Once patients have recovered and are deemed no longer infectious, they can return to work only after an additional quarantine period determined by the project's medical staff.
Kamoa-Kakula has successfully treated a number of symptomatic patients in the
As the pandemic evolves, the medical team at Kamoa-Kakula continues to review and update its risk mitigation protocols, while ensuring that new medical advances are investigated and applied to protect the health and safety of the workforce and community members.
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About
Kamoa-Kakula is expected to begin producing copper in
Contact:
Tel: +1.604.331.9834
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