TSX- and OTCQX-listed Ivanhoe Mines has reported copper production of 71 226 t from its Kamoa-Kakula complex, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, for the third quarter, with dewatering and recovery operations advancing steadily and the start-up of Africa’s largest copper smelter scheduled for early November.

The company said on October 7 that the Kamoa-Kakula Phase 1, 2, and 3 concentrators had processed 3.46-million tonnes of ore during the quarter.

Year-to-date production reached 316 393 t of copper and full-year guidance of 370 000 t to 420 000 t of copper in concentrate remains unchanged.

Mining of higher-grade areas on the western side of the Kakula mine is expected to begin in mid-November, supporting stronger output in the final quarter of the year, the company said.

Ivanhoe reported that Stage 2 dewatering of the Kakula mine is now more than 20% complete. Underground water levels on the eastern side have fallen by more than 20 m since early September, with full completion expected by the end of November.

The company also confirmed that the commissioning of the Kamoa-Kakula smelter is set to begin in early November.

Further, the installation of a 60 MW uninterruptible power supply unit is nearing completion, intended to protect the facility from power interruptions during ramp-up.

“Our recovery efforts at the Kakula mine are advancing well owing to exceptional execution from our operating teams under a decisive plan of action put in place by our management team and joint-venture employees.

“We are on track to restore Kamoa-Kakula towards its previous copper production levels as we rehabilitate the existing workings and develop new high-grade areas across this Tier 1 orebody,” Ivanhoe founder and co-chairperson Robert Friedland said.

He added that higher copper grades are expected from the western side of Kakula beginning next month, with selective mining on the eastern side planned from the first quarter of 2026.

“We’re also on the cusp of starting operations at Africa’s largest and greenest, direct-to-blister copper smelter, which is expected to drive lower cash costs as we complete its ramp-up,” Friedland said.

Meanwhile, at Ivanhoe’s Kipushi mine, production rose significantly in the quarter following completion of a debottlenecking programme in August. The concentrator processed a record 168 862 t of ore grading 37.8%, producing 57 200 t of zinc in concentrate, representing a 37% increase over the previous quarter.

Further, the company said first production from its Platreef mine, in Limpopo, South Africa, is expected later this month. The Phase 1 concentrator is due to receive its first ore feed in the coming weeks, while development of the Phase 2 expansion has begun.

Moreover, the engineering, procurement and construction management contractor is expected to be appointed in the fourth quarter, with Phase 2 production targeted for late 2027.

Friedland said Ivanhoe was “extremely excited for imminent first production at the Platreef mine, which is on schedule for later this month,” adding that the project’s combination of platinum-group metals, nickel, copper and gold positions it as “one of the lowest-cost and scalable producers” globally.

Ivanhoe will release its third-quarter 2025 financial results on October 29.