The Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has produced a record 103 947 t of copper in concentrate during the third quarter, parent company Ivanhoe Mines reports.

This has taken production for the nine months to September 30, to 301 336 t of copper in concentrate. Ivanhoe maintains its full-year production guidance for Kamoa-Kakula at between 390 000 t and 430 000 t of copper in concentrate.

The Phase 1 and 2 concentrators at Kamoa-Kakula have consistently operated at a steady-state throughput rate of 9.2-million tonnes a year following the ahead-of-schedule completion of the debottlenecking programme during the first quarter of this year.

Ivanhoe highlights that the concentrators have also regularly surpassed the steady-state throughput rate during the second and third quarters.

"Kamoa-Kakula continues to set records and outperform our expectations, with continued strong performance in terms of throughput, grade and recovery at the Phase 1 and Phase 2 plants. This has all been achieved despite ongoing challenges presented by electrical grid instability, where we now have a plan in place with the Congolese national utility to materially improve reliability across the network for all users over the next year.

"Meanwhile, the successful connection of the Kamoa 1 and Kansoko underground declines marks a major milestone for the Phase 3 expansion. This achievement demonstrates our commitment to operational excellence and is a testament to our strong partnership with Zijin Mining and the DRC government," Ivanhoe founder and co-chairperson Robert Friedland comments.

He points out that construction of the Phase 3 expansion remains on budget and schedule for commissioning in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The Phase 3 expansion comprises the construction of two new underground mines, Kamoa 1 and Kamoa 2, as well as a new five-million-tonne-a-year concentrator plant. It also includes the integration of Africa's largest direct-to-blister flash smelter, which will have a capacity of 500 000 t/y of copper.

“Ivanhoe Mines is on the cusp of a major turning point in the company's journey, with the conclusion of the Phase 3 expansion expected to mark the commencement of major cash flow and profit for the company.

"This is an extremely exciting time for Ivanhoe’s stakeholders and shareholders as we move forward with our vision of building the world’s next major, diversified mining company. We would like to again commend Kamoa Copper’s team for continuing to deliver industry-leading results across the operation,” he adds.