Ivanhoe Mines has confirmed that Stage Two dewatering operations at its Kakula Mine, part of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are set to begin imminently.
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This follows the successful completion of Stage One in June and marks a critical step in restoring access to high-grade copper zones that were flooded after seismic activity in May.
The company said production guidance for 2026 and 2027 will be reinstated in September, while a long-term integrated mine plan is targeted for release in the first quarter of 2026.
Four high-capacity submersible pumps, each capable of handling 650 litres per second, are being installed on the eastern side of the mine. Two of the pumps are already in place and expected to be operational by the end of August, with the remaining two scheduled for mid-September.
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Supplied by Hefei Hengda Jianghai Pump Co. of China, the pumps will be powered by a dedicated 20 MW generator to reduce reliance on the national grid. Once operational, they are expected to significantly lower water levels by November, opening access to copper-rich zones on both the western and eastern sides of the mine.
Rehabilitation of accessible underground areas has already been completed, and Ivanhoe anticipates copper grades will improve as mining resumes in higher-grade areas of the western side later this year. Selective mining in the eastern workings is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
A third stage of dewatering, planned for late 2025, will involve recommissioning existing pump stations on the eastern side to reach deeper sections of the mine.
In a parallel development, the refurbishment of Turbine #5 at the 178 MW Inga II hydroelectric facility is nearing completion. Mechanical installation is finished, and commissioning activities are underway, with full completion expected early in the fourth quarter.
Ivanhoe Mines Executive Co-Chair Robert Friedland and CEO Marna Cloete said the progress represents a significant step in restoring the mine’s production trajectory following the May disruption.