Ivanhoe Mines Targets June Restart as Dewatering Begins at Kakula Copper Mine in DRC

Ivanhoe Mines has announced a detailed plan to begin dewatering the Kakula copper mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with operations potentially resuming as early as this month. The development marks a critical step toward restarting one of the world’s most high-grade copper mining operations following unexpected flooding earlier this year.

Fast-Tracked Dewatering Strategy

In a press release on Monday, the Canadian-based mining company outlined its technical strategy to safely and efficiently remove excess water from the underground workings of the Kakula mine. According to Ivanhoe Mines, the plan includes deploying high-capacity pumps, upgrading surface drainage infrastructure, and strengthening underground water control systems.

The company stated that, barring any unexpected technical challenges, it expects to reach key production zones and resume mining activities before the end of June.

“We are moving with urgency and precision to restore operations at Kakula,” said Robert Friedland, Ivanhoe Mines’ Executive Co-Chairman. “The safety of our workers and the long-term integrity of the mine are our top priorities.”

Impact of Flooding and Urgency to Resume Production

Operations at the Kakula mine were suspended earlier this year after significant water ingress impacted key production areas. The disruption caused concerns in global copper markets, particularly amid growing demand for the metal, which is essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and global infrastructure projects.

With copper prices hovering near multi-year highs in 2025, analysts view the restart of Kakula as a potential stabilizing factor in the supply chain. Kakula is part of the broader Kamoa-Kakula copper complex, one of the largest new copper developments on the planet.

Global Significance of the Kakula Mine

Located in the mineral-rich Lualaba province, the Kakula mine boasts ore grades averaging over 6% copper—among the highest in the world. Once fully operational, the mine is expected to produce over 400,000 tonnes of copper per year, making it a key pillar of Africa’s contribution to global copper supply.

Ivanhoe Mines, which operates the project in partnership with China’s Zijin Mining Group and the DRC government, said the resumption of operations at Kakula is essential not only for shareholders but also for local communities and the national economy.

Stakeholder Confidence and Forward Outlook

Despite the temporary shutdown, investor confidence in Ivanhoe remains strong, buoyed by the company’s swift response and the long-term potential of the Kamoa-Kakula complex. Industry watchers are closely monitoring the dewatering efforts as a benchmark for future operational resilience in high-risk geographies.

Once production resumes, Ivanhoe Mines plans to accelerate work on its Phase 3 expansion, which includes additional processing facilities and the long-awaited smelter project that aims to boost in-country copper value-addition.