Following the temporary suspension of underground operations after a seismic activity at diversified mining company Ivanhoe Mines’ Kakula mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced on 20 May, the company continues to work alongside engineering experts to safely and conservatively restart mining operations.

Engineering teams of the copper mining complex where Kakula is situated, Kamoa Copper, are currently updating the short-, medium-, and long-term plans to resume operations on both the western and eastern sides of the Kakula mine. Subject to dewatering progress, underground mining is expected to restart later this month on the western side of the mine, which remains dry and supported by over 1,000 L/s of operational pumping capacity.

ALSO READ:
Seismic activity halts Ivanhoe’s Kakula underground operations

Operations on the eastern side of the mine are expected to restart once dewatering is complete, through a two-stage dewatering plan. The Phase 1 and 2 concentrators continue to operate at approximately 50% of their combined capacity, processing ore from surface stockpiles. Ore from the western side of the mine will be fed into the concentrators once underground operations restart.

Since mining operations began at Kakula in 2021, crews have completed over 18 months’ worth of underground development ahead of the mine plan. This extensive advance development provides significant operational flexibility, allowing access to multiple production areas as they are deemed safe for re-entry.

Mining operations at the Kamoa mine and ore processing at the adjacent Phase 3 concentrator remain unaffected and continue as normal.