Ivanhoe Mines’ Kamoa-Kakula Copper Output Jumps 11% in Q2 2025

Ivanhoe Mines has reported a significant year-on-year increase in copper production from its flagship Kamoa-Kakula complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The mine produced 112,009 tonnes of copper in the second quarter of 2025, marking an 11% rise compared to the same quarter in 2024.

Key Highlights

Ramp-Up Across All Phases
The Phase 1, Phase 2, and newly added Phase 3 concentrators collectively processed 3.62 million tonnes of ore, sustaining the upward production momentum.

Resilience in Recovery
Despite seismic activity earlier in the year that temporarily impacted operations at the Kakula mine, production bounced back swiftly. Efficient dewatering operations and timely maintenance enabled mining activities on Kakula’s western section to resume in June, with ore mining volumes reaching 300,000 tonnes per month by mid-June.

Infrastructure Investments
Ivanhoe is executing a two-stage dewatering programme to further stabilize the mining environment, with high-capacity pump installations scheduled for August. Concurrently, Project 95, a concentrator recovery upgrade, is approximately 50% complete and is aimed at increasing copper recovery rates to 95% by early 2026.

On-Site Smelter Nearing Completion
Ivanhoe is also preparing to commission its on-site copper smelter, with heat-up expected in September and first production of 99.7% pure copper anodes anticipated in October. This will significantly reduce reliance on third-party smelters and add value to the company’s copper output.

Broader Operational Context

• Kipushi Mine (zinc-copper): Processed 153,342 tonnes of ore in Q2 2025, producing 41,788 tonnes of zinc, marking its highest quarterly throughput.

• Platreef Project (PGMs, nickel, copper, gold): Remains on track for first production in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Strategic Outlook

The 11% increase in copper production reinforces Kamoa-Kakula’s position as one of the most efficient and high-yielding copper mining operations globally. The ongoing infrastructure upgrades, rapid recovery from setbacks, and upcoming smelting capabilities place Ivanhoe Mines in a strong position to meet growing global copper demand, driven by green energy initiatives, electric vehicles, and industrial growth.