Ivanhoe Mines celebrates South Africa’s Freedom Day 2021, marking the country’s 27th anniversary of freedom and democracy Ivanhoe’s journey of discovery and development at its tier-one Platreef palladium-platinum-nickel-copper-rhodium-gold
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April 27, 2021
Ivanhoe Mines celebrates South Africa’s Freedom Day 2021,
marking the country’s 27th anniversary of freedom and democracy
Ivanhoe’s journey of discovery and development at its tier-one
Platreef palladium-platinum-nickel-copper-rhodium-gold
discovery also marks its 27th anniversary
MOKOPANE, SOUTH AFRICA – Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) Co-Chairs
Robert Friedland and Yufeng “Miles” Sun congratulate the people of South Africa for
achieving 27 years of peace, freedom and democracy. It was on this day in 1994 that
South Africa held its first multiracial general election, marking the end to apartheid.
“Today, on Freedom Day, we celebrate with the great people of South Africa on their
extraordinary journey of freedom, reconciliation and democracy,” said Mr. Friedland.
“We also salute the intrepid pioneers of Ivanhoe Mines, who in 1994 began our
remarkable exploration journey in southern Africa that eventually resulted in the
discovery of the tier-one Platreef and Kamoa-Kakula deposits.
“Soon after freedom came to the people of South Africa on that historic day in 1994, the
predecessor company to Ivanhoe Mines became the proud holder of the current new
order mineral rights to explore the Platreef Project. After many years of exploration and
an astronomical amount of drilling, we delineated one of the world's largest deposits of
high-grade platinum-group metals, nickel and copper, and now are positioned to soon
unlock Platreef's world-scale potential.
“Our Platreef mine development efforts are led by courageous women and men, many
of whom made great efforts in the struggle for freedom. They also helped shape
Platreef’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment initiative that is designed to
deliver significant social and economic benefits for its participants, particularly the
men, women and children in the local communities. As we dream of the future, we
should never forget our past.”
Kgalema Motlanthe, former President and Deputy President of South Africa, and an
Ivanhoe Mines Director, commented: “27 years ago today, South Africans from all walks
of life, colour and creed waited in long queues to cast their votes. For the majority of
them, this was their first opportunity to participate in the democratic process. This
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occasion was pregnant with possibilities, and the world waited to witness the dawn of
democracy in South Africa.
“The occasion was remarkable for the peaceful manner in which the intractable
problems of apartheid and racial discrimination were set aside and all sides moved
forward as one people. In the euphoria of the 1994 democratic dispensation, many who
had long suffered expected these problems to be resolved promptly. However, the past
27 years has shown that these are stubborn, systemic problems which are not ready for
simple solutions.
“It is significant to note that 27 years equate to the number of years that Madiba spent
in prison. So, in order to actualize the promise of that wonderful day 27 years ago, a
concerted effort should be made in his honour to create a capable, professional and
efficient state to rally and mobilize human and capital resources from all over the
world.”
Marna Cloete, Ivanhoe’s President and CFO, added: “The diversity and inclusion of our
executive committee and the entire company is a true reflection of our rich South
African culture that always strives for unity and freedom in our daily lives.”
About Ivanhoe Mines
Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal joint-
venture projects in Southern Africa: the development of major new, mechanized, underground
mines at the Kamoa-Kakula copper discoveries in the DRC and at the Platreef palladium-
platinum-nickel-copper-rhodium-gold discovery in South Africa; and the extensive
redevelopment and upgrading of the historic Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also
in the DRC.
Kamoa-Kakula is expected to begin producing copper in July 2021 and, through phased
expansions, is positioned to become one of the world's largest copper producers. Kamoa-
Kakula and Kipushi will be powered by clean, renewable hydro-generated electricity and will be
among the world’s lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of metal produced. Ivanhoe also is
exploring for new copper discoveries on its wholly-owned Western Foreland exploration
licences in the DRC, near the Kamoa-Kakula Project.
Information contacts
Investors: Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834 / Media: Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034