Ivanhoe Mines said on Monday that its first-quarter copper and zinc production increased, supported by continued ramp-up at its flagship Kamoa-Kakula copper complex in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the completion of key infrastructure at the Platreef project in South Africa.
The company recently lowered its production guidance under a more conservative mining plan, forecasting 2026 anode copper output at 290,000–330,000 tonnes and 2027 output at 380,000–420,000 tonnes. Despite this, Ivanhoe emphasized that Kamoa-Kakula remains a critical growth asset in a tightening global copper supply environment.
Record Zinc Output and Rising Copper Production
At the Kipushi zinc mine in the DRC, Ivanhoe reported record quarterly zinc concentrate production of 65,044 tonnes, representing a 6% increase quarter-on-quarter. The company noted that processing plant recoveries exceeded 90% for the first time, helping offset ongoing power instability at the site.
Copper production at Kamoa-Kakula also showed solid performance, with blister and anode copper output reaching 71,417 tonnes. This was driven by continued ramp-up of the on-site direct-to-blister smelter, which is currently operating at approximately 60% of its 500,000 t/y design capacity.
Ivanhoe said the smelter is targeting an annualized production rate of 300,000 tonnes, although further increases may be constrained by the availability of copper concentrate feed.
Platreef Shaft Completion Supports Expansion
The company also confirmed that construction of a new shaft at the Platreef mine in South Africa was completed in March, enabling access to higher-grade ore.
Ivanhoe expects to begin commercial production at Platreef in mid-2026 and has already initiated early-stage work on a phase-two expansion.
Shipping Disruptions Create Opportunities
Ivanhoe noted that sales of sulfuric acid, a by-product of the Kamoa-Kakula smelter, are improving margins, with realized prices of approximately $500 per tonne amid tightening global supply.
Co-chairman Robert Friedland said that disruptions to global shipping routes could worsen shortages of sulfur and sulfuric acid in other regions, potentially threatening copper supply elsewhere.
However, he added that this dynamic could benefit Kamoa-Kakula, as its smelter transitions from being a consumer of inputs to a beneficiary of supply constraints.
[出处 – 上海有色网] 艾芬豪矿业提升刚果（金）铜锌产量，南非普拉特瑞夫竖井完工提振前景 https://news.smm.cn/news/103853673
