Kamoa-Kakula Phase 1 concentrator plant approaching steady- state-design performance
September 7, 2021
Kamoa-Kakula Phase 1 concentrator plant approaching steady-
state-design performance
■
14,815 tonnes of copper produced in August, bringing the year-to-
date production to more than 36,700 tonnes
■
Installation of an additional concentrate filter expected by end of
October 2021, further boosting copper production
■
Phase 2 concentrator plant construction now 44% complete
■
Mining crews delivered 220,000 tonnes of ore grading a record
6.03% copper from August 1 to 20, including 85,000 tonnes
grading 7.55% copper from the centre of the Kakula Mine
■
Surface ore stockpiles continue to grow; now hold 3.59 million
tonnes grading 4.77% copper, containing more than 171,000
tonnes of copper
■
All six new turbines at the Mwadingusha hydropower plant now
operational and generating clean electricity for Kamoa-Kakula
KOLWEZI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN; OTCQX:
IVPAF) Co-Chairs Robert Friedland and Yufeng “Miles” Sun are pleased to announce
that hot commissioning and ramp-up of Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1, 3.8 million-tonne-per-
annum (Mtpa) concentrator plant is progressing well and approaching nameplate
steady-state-design performance.
During August, the plant achieved an average milling rate of more than 9,000 tonnes per
day at an average feed grade of more than 6.0% copper. On August 29, the Phase 1
concentrator plant produced in excess of 600 tonnes of copper in filtered concentrate,
which is the plant’s steady-state-design daily production rate.
2
During August, the concentrator plant produced concentrate containing 14,815 tonnes
of copper. As of August 31, a total of 36,712 tonnes of copper had been produced year-
to-date for delivery to either the Lualaba Copper Smelter near Kolwezi, or to
international markets. All concentrate produced to date has been loaded onto trucks
(either bulk for the Lualaba Smelter or in bags for international markets) and the
concentrate backlog at the mine site has been cleared.
Chart 1: Monthly tonnes of copper produced May 2021 to August 2021.
Steve Amos, Kamoa Copper’s Head of Projects, commented: “The hot commissioning
and ramp-up of the Phase 1 concentrator plant is going very well, with no significant
issues encountered to date. Fast tracking of an additional concentrate filter will enable
us to produce more concentrate and take advantage of the exceptional ore grades
coming from the Kakula Mine, as well as any additional milling throughput in excess of
design capacity. A third concentrate filter is being procured and will be incorporated
into the Phase 2 plant.”
Copper recoveries improved to an average of 83% during August, with recoveries in
excess of 86% achieved on multiple occasions. The Phase 1, steady-state-design
copper recovery is approximately 86%.
3
Chart 2: Cumulative tonnes of copper produced May 2021 to August 2021.
Ivanhoe’s production guidance for contained copper in concentrate at Kamoa-Kakula in
2021 is 80,000 to 95,000 tonnes. The figures are on a 100%-project basis and metal
reported in concentrate is prior to refining losses or deductions associated with smelter
terms. The guidance assumes ramp-up from first production continues in line with
published technical disclosures.
Daily concentrate grades in excess of the steady-state-design grade of approximately
57% copper also have been achieved on several occasions, with the monthly average
exceeding 48% copper. The current focus of the commissioning team is on balancing
and optimizing the flotation and regrind milling areas. This work is expected to further
improve the consistency of concentrate grade and copper recoveries.
Commissioning and operation of the concentrator plant’s regrind mills is well
underway. The regrind mills are the final pieces of equipment to be commissioned in
the Phase 1 concentrator.
Kamoa-Kakula is fast tracking the installation of an additional concentrate filter, which
already has been delivered to the mine site, to be able to take advantage of copper feed
grades and milling rates in excess of design parameters. The additional concentrate
filter is expected to be installed by the end of October 2021, enabling the Phase 1
concentrator to produce more copper than its design capacity of approximately 200,000
tonnes per year.
4
Watch a new video showcasing the ramp -up of copper production at
Kamoa-Kakula and the production of blister copper at the local Lualaba
Copper Smelter: https://vimeo.com/597748095/3e0676cb41
In early August, Ben Munanga, Kamoa Copper’s Chairman (right), welcomed
Princess Adèle Kayinda Mahina, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of
Portfolio, to the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project. The DRC government’s 20%
interest in the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project is managed by the Portfolio
Ministry.
Princess Adèle Kayinda Mahina (left) and Marna Cloete, Ivanhoe’s President and
CFO, inside a scooptram bucket during an underground visit of the Kakula Mine.
5
Pouring Kamoa Copper blister ingots, containing approximately 99% copper, at
the Lualaba Copper Smelter near Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
An electronic chip affixed to a Kamoa Copper blister copper ingot for tracking
and security.
6
Phase 2 overall project 44% complete, with civil works effectively complete
and structural steel, mechanical, piping and platework (SMPP) erection and
installation well underway
Construction of the second 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant (Phase 2) is progressing well,
with the overall project 44% complete; engineering and procurement activities are
nearing completion. Civil construction works also is nearing completion with the focus
now on erection of structural steel and the installation of platework and equipment. The
primary and secondary ball mill discharge sumps, as well as the mill base plates, are
being installed; mill installation is on the critical path. SMPP construction is on-going in
all areas.
Deliveries of structural steel, platework and mechanical equipment continue daily with
more than 321 truckloads already delivered to site and another 126 en-route.
Manufacturing of all long-lead items of equipment now is complete with several items
already delivered to site and the remainder en-route. The final major contract for
electrical, control and instrumentation (EC&I) supply and installation, has been
awarded. The Phase 2 concentrator remains on track for completion in Q3 2022.
Lifting the Phase 2 flotation conditioning tank into position.
7
The Phase 2 concentrator plant under construction in the foreground, with the
operating Phase 1 concentrator plant in the background.
The side-by-side Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrator plants.
8
Chen Hong Tao (left) and Wang Pengfei installing the Phase 2 flotation base
plates.
Shells for the Phase 2 ball mills arriving at Kamoa-Kakula.