- Ivanhoe Mines (IVN) has released an update on the construction of a Phase 2 concentrator plant at Kamoa-Kakula
- The Phase 2 plant is expected to reach 93 per cent completion by January 31
- Hot commissioning, the process of introducing first ore into the plant at a reduced feed rate to set equipment parameters and test performance, is on track to begin in April 2022
- Kamoa Copper’s CEO, Mark Farren, will retire from his position following the commissioning of the Phase 2 expansion project, and a search for his replacement is already underway
- Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa
- Shares in Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (IVN) are down 4.33 per cent, trading at $11.05 per share
Ivanhoe Mines (IVN) has released an update on the construction of a Phase 2 concentrator plant at Kamoa-Kakula.
The Phase 2, 3.8-million-tonne-per-annum (Mtpa) concentrator plant is expected to reach 93 per cent completion by January 31, 2022.
Hot commissioning, the process of introducing first ore into the plant at a reduced feed rate to set equipment parameters and test performance, is on track to begin in April 2022.
After the plant’s hot commissioning, Kamoa Copper expects production of its first copper concentrate approximately one week after the ore is fed into the ball mills.
As of January 24, the concentrator is on track to go live at the front end of previous Q2 2022 guidance and several months ahead of the original schedule.
The Phase 2 plant is identical to the Phase 1 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant and is expected to reach a faster ramp-up profile with the operational knowledge gained during the commissioning of Phase 1.
For comparison, the Phase 1 concentrator reached monthly design throughput during September 2021, which was the fourth full month of operation.
The Phase 1 concentrator currently is running at a throughput higher than its design capacity of 3.8-Mtpa by more than 15 per cent, and copper recoveries are being achieved in excess of design recovery of 86 per cent.
“While most of the mining industry struggles to meet construction timelines and budgets, Kamoa Copper continues to exceed expectations in delivering on the project’s first two development phases,” said Ivanhoe Mines co-chair Robert Friedland.
“Kamoa-Kakula,” he added, “represents only the beginning of our undertaking to unlock the potential of this remarkable new copper province, which has the unique combination of outstanding scale, grade, mine life, and environmental, social, and governance credentials.”
The company also announced that Kamoa Copper’s CEO, Mark Farren, will retire from his position following the commissioning of the Phase 2 expansion project. Kamoa Copper has initiated a search for Mr. Farren’s replacement and Mr. Farren will help support a smooth and seamless transition.
Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa.
The Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project is a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines, Zijin Mining Group, Crystal River Global Limited, and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Shares in Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (IVN) are down 4.33 per cent, trading at $11.05 per share as of 9:44 am EST.
