Ivanhoe Mines’ ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-lead-germanium mine has been officially reopened in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by Félix Tshisekedi, President of the DRC.
The production at the mine restarted earlier in July 2024 after 31 years. Located in Haut-Katanga, the mine is estimated to hold 11.8 million of measured and indicated mineral zinc resources.
The project is owned by Kipushi Corporation (KICO), a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines (68%) and state-owned mining company Gécamines (32%).
In May 2024, construction on a 800,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) concentrator facility was completed with the first concentrate produced in June. The facility includes DMS and milling circuits and is forecast to produce 278,000 tonnes (t) of zinc over the first five years.
With a 96% recovery target, the concentrate grade is expected to average 55% zinc. Kipushi's 2024 zinc production is forecasted between 50,000t and to 70,000t.
Ivanhoe Mines president Marna Cloete said: “The reopening of the Kipushi Mine represents not only a milestone for sustainable resource development but also a promise of economic empowerment for our local communities. Today, we are breathing a new life into one of the world’s richest deposits, together proving that responsible mining can drive shared prosperity.”
“It is therefore an immense honour to welcome the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, His Excellency Felix Tshisekedi, and the Mother of the Nation, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, in sharing in this moment in the official reopening of the Kipushi Mine.”
The mine is expected to bolster the DRC's economy and contribute to the global supply of zinc, copper, lead, and germanium.
Gécamines chairman Guy-Robert Lukama Nkunzi said: “The Kipushi Mine was the beating heart of the Kipushi town since operations first began 100 years ago. However, the town’s heart stopped during the 1990s when operations were shuttered.
“Today, its heart has been revived, and the resumption of operations is an opportunity for a new economic paradigm, where the mine will contribute to the prosperity of everyone, and in particular the residents of Kipushi town.
In August 2024, Ivanhoe Mines announced that Phase III concentrator at its Kamoa-Kakula copper mine in DRC has reached commercial production.
The Phase III concentrator is expected to increase the mine’s copper production capacity to more than 600,000tpa.
