Ivanhoe Mines has reported that its Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) produced 112 009 t of copper in the second quarter of 2025, following the milling of 3.62-million tonnes of ore across its Phase 1, 2 and 3 concentrators. This represents an 11% year-on-year increase in production.
The company says its Phase 3 concentrator is now operating 30% above design capacity, while the Phase 1 and 2 concentrators are running at about 85% of design throughput. Roughly 45% of the ore feed is currently sourced from the western side of the Kakula mine, where mining resumed in early June following previous disruptions.
The mining rate on the western flank has ramped up to 300 000 t a month – or 3.6-million tonnes on an annualised basis – with copper grades ranging between 3% and 4%. As a result, the combined processing rate of Phase 1 and 2 has reached approximately 670 000 t per month, or eight-million tonnes a year on an annualised basis.
As previously guided, Stage 1 dewatering activities have been progressing as planned since June 2. Ivanhoe reports that water levels on the eastern side of the Kakula mine have modestly declined, paving the way for Stage 2 dewatering to begin next month. Five high-capacity, submersible pumps for Stage 2 are undergoing final assembly in China and will be air-freighted to site in the coming weeks.
Underground development has also begun on a new high-grade mining area on the far eastern side of Kakula. Development of two new access drives from existing underground infrastructure is underway, with the new zone expected to deliver ore by Q2 2026.
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“We commend the hard work and dedication of our management team, and mining and engineering crews at Kamoa-Kakula, who continue to work tirelessly to turn around operations at Kakula,” said Ivanhoe founder and co-chairperson Robert Friedland.
Friedland confirmed that operational recovery plans are well underway following seismic activity reported in May. He said safety remains the top priority, with development activities being systematically ramped up to boost the supply of high-grade ore from the western orebody.
Ivanhoe expects to return to mining areas grading about 5% copper on the western side by year-end, further improving plant feed and operational efficiency. The company is also working to transport excess ore from the Kamoa and Kansoko mines to supplement the Phase 1 and 2 concentrators.
Meanwhile, at Ivanhoe’s Kipushi zinc mine, the concentrator milled a record 153 342 t of ore during the quarter, producing 41 788 t of zinc—one of its best quarters to date. “Kipushi is now well on track as one of the world’s largest, highest-grade, and greenest major zinc mines,” said Friedland.
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The company also confirmed that construction of Project 95 at Kamoa-Kakula is 50% complete and remains on schedule for completion in Q1 2026.
In South Africa, Ivanhoe’s Platreef platinum group metals (PGMs) project is on track to deliver first production in the fourth quarter of this year. The mine is expected to evolve into the world’s largest and lowest-cost producer of PGMs, nickel, copper and gold through a phased expansion.
“Given the current rally in PGM prices and the rising interest in these metals, we firmly believe Platreef is positioned to deliver exceptional returns for our shareholders,” Friedland concluded.
