- Ivanhoe Mines (IVN) is approaching steady-state-design performance at its Phase 1 concentrator plant at Kamoa-Kakula
- Construction of a second plant is underway and is expected to be completed by Q3 2022
- In August, the Phase 1 plant achieved an average milling rate of more than 9,000 tonnes per day
- Ivanhoe Mines is a mineral exploration and development company
- Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (IVN) is currently up 1.0 per cent, trading at $10.13 per share
Ivanhoe Mines (IVN) is approaching steady-state-design performance at its Phase 1 concentrator plant at Kamoa-Kakula.
The 3.8 million-tonne-per-year concentrator plant is the first to be constructed on the property, with construction of a second (Phase 2) plant underway and progressing well.
During August, the plant achieved an average milling rate of more than 9,000 tonnes per day at an average feed grade of more than 6 per cent copper.
As of August 31, a total of 36,712 tonnes of copper had been produced year-to-date for delivery.
Steve Amos, Kamoa Copper’s Head of Projects, commented on the plant’s progress.
“The hot commissioning and ramp-up of the Phase 1 concentrator plant is going very well,” he said, “with no significant issues encountered to date.”
Kamoa-Kakula is fast-tracking the installation of an additional concentrate filter, which already has been delivered to the mine site.
“Fast tracking of an additional concentrate filter will enable us to produce more concentrate and take advantage of the exceptional ore grades coming from the Kakula Mine,” added Mr. Amos.
Kakula is projected to be the world’s highest-grade major copper mine. The project’s surface stockpiles now contain approximately 3.59 million tonnes of high-grade and medium-grade ore.
As the plant ramps up to full Phase 1 design capacity and the mine toward Phase 2 production capacity, the surface stockpiles are expected to continue to build at a reduced rate.
The Phase 2 concentrator remains on track for completion in the third quarter of 2022.
Ivanhoe Mines is a mineral exploration and development company that explores, develops, and recovers minerals and precious gems from its property interests in Africa.
The Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project is a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines, Zijin Mining Group, Crystal River Global Limited, and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (IVN) is currently up 1.0 per cent, trading at $10.13 per share as of 10:05 am ET.