Ivanhoe Mines issues Q2 financial results and review of operations, mine construction and exploration progress
August 11, 2021
Ivanhoe Mines issues Q2 financial results and review
of operations, mine construction and exploration progress
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Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mine achieved Phase 1 commercial
production on July 1, 2021; first phase projected to produce
approximately 200,000 tonnes of copper per year
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Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 2 expansion, scheduled for Q3 2022, will
double annual copper output to approximately 400,000 tonnes
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Ivanhoe Mines pledges net-zero greenhouse gas emissions at the
Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mine
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Good progress being made on Ivanhoe’s Western Foreland
exploration program, searching for DRC’s next tier-one copper
discovery
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Development of the world-scale Platreef palladium, rhodium,
platinum, nickel, copper and gold project in South Africa making
excellent progress
TORONTO, CANADA ‒ Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) today announced its
financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. Ivanhoe Mines is a
Canadian mining company advancing its three mining projects in Southern Africa: the
Kamoa-Kakula copper mining complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); the
Platreef palladium-rhodium-platinum-nickel-copper-gold discovery in South Africa; and
the extensive upgrading of the historic Kipushi zinc-copper-lead-germanium mine, also
in the DRC. Ivanhoe also is exploring for new copper discoveries on its Western
Foreland exploration licences in the DRC, near the Kamoa-Kakula Project. All figures
are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.
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HIGHLIGHTS
Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1 concentrator plant achieved commercial production on
July 1, 2021. Kamoa-Kakula’s initial production guidance, on a 100%-project basis,
is between 80,000 and 95,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate for 2021.
Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 2 construction is progressing slightly ahead of plan and
remains on track for start-up in Q3 2022, which will see a doubling of mill
throughput to 7.6 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa). Phases 1 and 2 combined are
forecast to produce approximately 400,000 tonnes of copper per year.
Study work to accelerate Phase 3 mine and concentrator expansion to at least 11.4
Mtpa is ongoing. Based on independent benchmarking, the project’s phased
expansion scenario to 19 Mtpa would position Kamoa-Kakula as the world’s second-
largest copper mining complex, with peak annual copper production of more than
800,000 tonnes.
At the end of July 2021, Kamoa-Kakula’s surface ore stockpiles held approximately
3.54 million tonnes grading 4.77% copper, containing more than 168,000 tonnes of
copper.
Ivanhoe, together with its partner Zijin, is exploring the acceleration of the Kamoa-
Kakula Phase 3 concentrator expansion, which includes optimization work to
determine mining production capacity and costs at the various mining areas on the
Kamoa-Kakula complex, including expanded facilities at the Kansoko Mine, Kamoa
North (including the Bonanza Zone) and Kakula West. Kamoa Copper also is refining
its longer-term downstream processing strategy, including the potential
construction of a smelter or hydrometallurgical processing facility.
In April 2021, Ivanhoe Mines Energy DRC entered into an agreement with the DRC’s
state-owned power company Société Nationale d'Électricité (SNEL) to upgrade a
major turbine at the Inga II hydropower facility. The upgraded turbine is expected to
produce 162 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable hydropower, providing the Kamoa-
Kakula Copper Mine with sufficient, sustainable electricity for future expansions,
including a copper smelter.
In May 2021, Ivanhoe pledged to achieve net-zero operational greenhouse gas
emissions (Scope 1 and 2) at the industry-leading Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mine. Since
the mine already is powered by clean, renewable hydro-generated electricity, the
focus of the company’s net-zero commitment will be on electrifying the project’s
mining fleet with new, state-of-the-art equipment powered by electric batteries or
hydrogen fuel cells. Emissions-free underground mining equipment, at the size and
scale required for Kamoa-Kakula’s bulk-scale operations, is at an advanced stage of
development by several of the world’s leading equipment manufacturers.
During Q2, Ivanhoe continued its 2021 copper exploration program on its Western
Foreland licences that cover a combined area of approximately 2,550 square
kilometres in close proximity to Kamoa-Kakula. Drilling in the quarter was focused
on the western and eastern extensions of the Makoko Discovery, as well as the
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northern and western extensions of the Kiala Discovery. Good progress was made
on construction of critical infrastructure to access high-priority, newly-acquired
westerly exploration permits, including construction of a 60-kilometre spine road
across the Western Foreland and a new bridge across the Lubudi River.
In February 2021, Ivanhoe announced that its South African subsidiary, Ivanplats, is
arranging project-level financing of up to $420 million to advance development of the
world-scale Platreef palladium, rhodium, platinum, nickel, copper and gold project in
South Africa.
Ivanplats has signed a non-binding term sheet with Orion Mine Finance, a leading
international provider of production-linked stream financing to base and precious
metals mining companies, for a $300-million gold, palladium and platinum streaming
facility. Ivanplats also has appointed two prominent, international commercial banks
– Societe Generale and Nedbank – as mandated lead arrangers for a senior project
debt facility of up to $120 million.
Ivanplats’ proposed financings follow the November 30, 2020 issuance of the
outstanding findings of an independent Platreef Integrated Development Plan 2020
(Platreef IDP20), which consists of an updated feasibility study (Platreef 2020 FS)
and a preliminary economic assessment (Platreef 2020 PEA). The initial capital cost
for the phased development plan under the Platreef 2020 PEA, starting at a mining
rate of 700,000 tonnes per annum (700 ktpa), is estimated at $390 million.
Detailed engineering is progressing on Platreef’s 700-ktpa initial mine design, 770-
ktpa concentrator and associated infrastructure for the phased development plan,
which is scheduled to be incorporated into an updated feasibility study by year end
or early 2022. The Shaft 1 changeover is progressing well in preparation for
permanent hoisting in early 2022. Construction activities on the Shaft 2 headframe
also are advancing. In July 2021, Ivanplats ordered emissions-free, battery electric
drill rigs and underground loaders from leading Swedish manufacturer Epiroc, for
use in the mine’s underground development.
Construction activities on Platreef’s Shaft 2 headframe also are advancing.
At the Kipushi Mine redevelopment project in the DRC, the Kipushi Project’s draft
feasibility study, and development and financing plan are being reviewed by
Ivanhoe Mines together with its joint-venture partner and state-owned mining
company, Gécamines. The project is maintaining a reduced workforce to conduct
maintenance activities and pumping operations.
Ivanhoe has made excellent progress in upgrading Kipushi’s underground
infrastructure to allow for mining to quickly begin at the ultra-high-grade Big Zinc
orebody. Resumption of production at the mine now requires the construction of a
surface processing plant and other related production facilities. Discussions are
continuing with Gécamines to advance a new era of production at Kipushi and it is
anticipated that these discussions will be concluded with the finalization of the
feasibility study and the agreement on the development and financing plan.
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At the end of Q2 2021, Kamoa-Kakula had reached 1.49 million work hours free of a
lost-time injury, Kipushi had reached 3.44 million work hours free of a lost-time
injury, and Platreef had reached 57,000 work hours free of a lost-time injury.
Principal projects and review of activities
1. Kamoa-Kakula Project
39.6%-owned by Ivanhoe Mines
Democratic Republic of Congo
The Kamoa-Kakula Project, a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining, has been
independently ranked as the world’s fourth-largest copper deposit by international mining
consultant Wood Mackenzie. The project is approximately 25 kilometres west of the town of
Kolwezi and about 270 kilometres west of Lubumbashi. The Kamoa-Kakula Project began
producing copper in May 2021 and achieved commercial production on July 1, 2021.
Ivanhoe sold a 49.5% share interest in Kamoa Holding Limited (Kamoa Holding) to Zijin Mining
and a 1% share interest in Kamoa Holding to privately-owned Crystal River in December 2015.
Since the conclusion of the Zijin transaction, each shareholder has been required to fund
expenditures at the Kamoa-Kakula Project in an amount equivalent to its proportionate
shareholding interest in Kamoa Holding.
A 5%, non-dilutable interest in the Kamoa-Kakula Project was transferred to the DRC
government on September 11, 2012, for no consideration, pursuant to the 2002 DRC mining
code. Following the signing of an agreement with the DRC government in November 2016, in
which an additional 15% interest in the Kamoa-Kakula Project was transferred to the DRC
government, Ivanhoe and Zijin Mining now each hold an indirect 39.6% interest in the Kamoa-
Kakula Project, Crystal River holds an indirect 0.8% interest and the DRC government holds a
direct 20% interest. Kamoa Holding holds an 80% interest in the project.
Health and safety at Kamoa-Kakula
At the end of June 2021, the Kamoa-Kakula Project reached 1,492,769 work hours free of a
lost-time injury. A fatality occurred on May 31, 2021 when a contractor’s employee was hit in
the leg by a loose falling rock while working at one of the mine’s underground faces, which
caused the employee to fall backwards, striking his head. Despite immediate first-aid
assistance by his colleagues, he passed away at the accident scene. Since the fatality,
remedial safety interventions have been implemented. Two other lost-time injuries occurred in
Q2 2021. The project continues to strive toward its workplace objective of zero harm to all
employees and contractors.
Kamoa-Kakula has successfully focused on prevention, preparation, and mitigation in
managing the risks associated with COVID-19. Large-scale testing, combined with focused
preventative measures, ensured that positive cases were quickly identified, isolated, and
treated, with cross contamination kept to a minimum. Maintaining this high standard of risk
management remains a daily focus, to prevent future cases. During the first six months of
2021, the Kamoa-Kakula Project conducted 3,743 COVID-19 tests, with 163 patients testing
positive for COVID-19.
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Kamoa Copper has secured an initial supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine for employees,
contractors and Democratic Republic of Congo residents who live in the mine’s host
communities. Kamoa Copper continues to administer its initial supply of 1,500 doses. The
second dose will be administered eight to 12 weeks after the first and a certificate of
vaccination completion will be issued to those who have received two doses.
The Kamoa COVID-19 hospital continues to treat patients when required, as construction
progresses well for the expansion and upgrade of the primary healthcare wing. Kamoa-
Kakula’s highly-experienced doctors and nurses apply the latest medical treatments, supported
by a world-leading emergency response and paramedic team.
Kamoa is one of 15 sites in the province where COVID-19 vaccination programs are being
rolled-out to curb the spread of the virus. As the pandemic evolves, the medical team at the
Kamoa hospital continues to review and update risk mitigation protocols, while ensuring that
new medical advances are investigated and applied to protect the health and safety of
employees and community members.
Copper concentrate production from the initial 3.8 -Mtpa Kakula
concentrator plant commenced in May 2021; commercial production
achieved on July 1, 2021
Overall progress of Kamoa-Kakula’s first phase, 3.8-Mtpa mining and milling operation
(covering mine infrastructure, concentrator plant and surface infrastructure) was very nearly
complete at the end of Q2 2021. The only major construction activity that still was outstanding
was the backfill plant which was completed in July 2021, with the first paste to be delivered to
underground stopes in August 2021.
The backfill plant will be used to mix tailings from the processing plant with cement to produce
paste backfill. The backfill will be pumped back into the mine and used to help support mined-
out areas. Approximately one-half of the mine’s tailings will be sent back underground,
significantly reducing the surface tailings storage. Construction of the tailings storage facility
has been completed and first tailings deposited.
Overall construction of the project’s first phase, 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant and associated
facilities is complete, with C4 or hot commissioning advancing according to plan. First ore was
introduced into the ball mills on May 20, 2021, and first saleable concentrate was filtered on
May 25, 2021, marking the start of concentrate production. Lower-grade ore was fed into the
plant during initial hot commissioning and the feed grade has since been increased.
The Kamoa-Kakula Project was deemed to have reached commercial production on July 1,
2021, after achieving a milling rate in excess of 80% of design capacity and recoveries close to
70% for a continuous, seven-day period. Revenue recognition, as well as depreciation of
Kamoa-Kakula’s first phase, 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant and milling operation, commenced
from this date.
Approximately 500,000 tonnes of ore had been milled by early August 2021. Copper
production has steadily increased since hot commissioning began at the end of May 2021.
Copper production exceeded 500 tonnes per day on occasion during July, nearing the Phase 1
steady-state design capacity of approximately 550 tonnes per day, or 200,000 tonnes per year.
During August, the focus of the commissioning team will shift from the front end crushing and
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milling circuit to balancing and optimizing the flotation and regrind milling areas. This is
expected to further improve concentrate grade and recovery.
Copper recoveries increased from an average of approximately 70% in June 2021 to
approximately 81% in July 2021, progressively increasing toward the Phase 1 steady-state
design copper recoveries of approximately 86%.
As at June 30, 2021, contained copper in concentrate produced by the Kamoa-Kakula Project
amounted to 9,858 tonnes. Ivanhoe’s guidance for contained copper in concentrate expected
to be produced by the Kamoa-Kakula Project for 2021 assumes ramp-up from first production
continues in line with published technical disclosures, and is as follows:
Kamoa-Kakula Project 2021 Guidance
Contained Copper in Concentrate 80,000 to 95,000 tonnes
All figures in the above table are on a 100%-project basis. Metal reported in concentrate is
prior to refining losses or deductions associated with smelter terms. Cost guidance is expected
to be provided once the Kamoa-Kakula Project’s Phase 1 plant has operated at steady-state
production for a continuous period.
Loading high-grade copper concentrate at the Kamoa-Kakula concentrate
storage warehouse for transport to the nearby Lualaba Copper Smelter for
processing into blister copper ingots, containing approximately 99% copper.
Construction of Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 2 expansion is more than 35%
complete; Phase 3 studies are progressing
Construction of the second 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant is progressing well toward a Q3 2022
start-up with the current focus on the completion of civil works and early structural steel
erection. Civil works are over 80% complete with a number of areas handed over to the steel,
mechanical, piping and platework contractor.
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Engineering and procurement activities are well advanced with both approximately 80%
complete. Structural steel, platework and major equipment has started arriving on site and
steel erection in the high-pressure grinding rolls and tailings thickening areas has commenced.
The bulk of the structural steel and platework is scheduled to be on site in early Q3 2021.
Piping fabrication is advancing well with some piping en route to site.
Ivanhoe and its partner Zijin are exploring the acceleration of the Kamoa-Kakula Phase 3
concentrator expansion, which may be fed from expanded mining operations at Kansoko, or
new mining areas at Kamoa North (including the Bonanza Zone) and Kakula West.
Study work for the Phase 3 mine and concentrator expansion is underway, which includes
optimization work to determine mining production capacity and costs at the various mining
areas. This work also will inform the optimal sizing of the Phase 3 concentrator, which was
outlined as a further expansion of 3.8 Mtpa in the Kamoa-Kakula Integrated Development Plan
announced in September 2020. In addition, the studies will take into consideration the plans to
upgrade Turbine 5 at the Inga II hydropower complex to provide 162 megawatts of renewable
hydropower, as well as the construction of a direct-to-blister smelter.
Once the optimization work is completed, Kamoa Copper will advance into a more detailed
phase of design and engineering work with its objective to accelerate the Phase 3 concentrator
expansion.
Two views of Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1 concentrator plant in full operation and
the adjacent, parallel Phase 2 concentrator plant under construction.
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Construction of the Phase 2 tailings thickener is nearing completion.
Ore stockpiles now hold approximately 3.54 million tonnes grading 4.77%
copper, containing more than 168,000 tonnes of copper