Ivanhoe Mines reports temporary interruption of underground mining at Kakula mine
May 20, 2025
Ivanhoe Mines reports temporary interruption of underground
mining at Kakula mine
■
Operations at Phase 1 and 2 concentrators continue at
reduced capacity from surface stockpiles
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Operations at Kamoa mine and Phase 3 concentrator
continue uninterrupted
KOLWEZI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO – Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN;
OTCQX: IVPAF) reports today that mining operations are temporarily suspended at
the Kakula underground mine at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Over the past week, seismic activity was experienced in the eastern section of the
Kakula mine, leading to Kamoa Copper’s management team suspending
underground operations on Sunday, May 18, 2025. All employees were safely
brought above ground in line with protocols, and mobile equipment was removed
from the mine workings. No injuries were reported.
Senior management and geotechnical specialists have been mobilized to conduct
a thorough inspection of the Kakula underground mine, which commenced today.
Seismic activity is reported to have significantly reduced in the past 24 hours and
the western section of the Kakula mine has been declared safe for mining
operations to resume imminently.
The inspection will continue into the eastern section of the Kakula mine, where
underground infrastructure, including pumping, may be impacted.
The Phase 1 and 2 concentrators are temporarily operating at a reduced capacity,
processing ore from surface stockpiles. Ore from the western section of the
Kakula mine will also be processed as soon as underground operations resume.
As at April 30, 2025, Kamoa-Kakula’s high- and medium-grade ore surface
stockpiles totaled approximately 3.80 million tonnes at an estimated, blended
average grade of 3.2% copper.
Mining activities at the Kamoa underground mine and processing at the adjacent
Phase 3 concentrator have not been impacted.
Ivanhoe Mines will provide further updates in due course.
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About Ivanhoe Mines
Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three
principal projects in Southern Africa; the expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper
Complex in the DRC, the ramp-up of the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-
germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC; and the phased development of the tier-
one Platreef platinum-palladium-nickel-rhodium-gold-copper Mine in South Africa.
Ivanhoe Mines is exploring for copper in its highly prospective, 54-100% owned
exploration licences in the Western Forelands, covering an area over six times
larger than the adjacent Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, including the high-grade
discoveries in the Makoko District. Ivanhoe is also exploring for new sedimentary
copper discoveries in new horizons including Angola, Kazakhstan and Zambia.
Follow Robert Friedland (@robert_ivanhoe) and Ivanhoe Mines (@IvanhoeMines_)
on X.
Information contact
Investors
Vancouver: Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034
London: Tommy Horton +44 7866 913 207
Media
Tanya Todd +1.604.331.9834
Forward-looking statements
Certain statements in this news release constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-
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the actual results, performance, or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results
to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or
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that certain actions, events, or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or
be achieved. These statements reflect the company’s current expectations regarding future
events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this news release.
Such statements include, without limitation: i) statements regarding Kakula mine has been
declared safe for mining operations to resume imminently; ii) statements regarding the inspection
will continue into the eastern section of the Kakula mine, where underground infrastructure,
including pumping, may be impacted; iii) statements regarding ore from the western section of
the Kakula mine will also be processed as soon as underground operations resume; and, iv)
Ivanhoe Mines will provide further updates in due course.
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differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information,
including, but not limited to, the factors discussed above and under the “Risk Factors” section in
the company’s MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and its current annual
information form, and elsewhere in this news release, as well as unexpected changes in laws,
rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to
contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity
prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results
that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations.
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management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure
investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly
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company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements
contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release.
The company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-
looking statements as a result of the factors outlined in the “Risk Factors” section in the
company’s MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and its current annual information
form.