- Ivanhoe Mines reports that first ore was fed into the Phase 3 concentrator at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- First ore marks the completion of construction of the Phase 3 concentrator, which has been achieved months ahead of schedule and also on budget.
- First concentrate is expected in early June, while ramp-up to commercial production is targeted for early in the third quarter.
- The mine has been hampered by power supply instability.
Since mid-March, 15 megawatts (MW) of imported power have been reliably supplied to Kamoa-Kakula from Zambia. In addition, since May 1, 2024, an additional 20 MW of power is being imported from Mozambique via the Zambian inter-connector.
Related news: Zambia’s energy crisis deepens, threatening its mining sector
The supplemental imported power has had a significant, positive effect on the stability of Kamoa-Kakula’s operations. Total production from April 1, 2024 to date, totals more than 63,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate. This is a notable improvement from the first quarter, which was impacted by power instability. In addition, head grades have improved in the second quarter in part due to increased underground pumping capacity. Imported power from Mozambique is expected to increase by a further 20 MW imminently.
Kamoa Copper’s engineering team continues to expand its on-site, backup generation capacity to ensure there is on-site redundancy for the current Phase 1 and 2 operations, as well as mining and concentrator operations for Phase 3.
On-site backup-power generator capacity is scheduled to increase, via a phased roll-out, to more than 200 MW by the end of 2024. The generator farm sites are being built adjacent to the Phase 1 and 2 concentrators, and smelter at Kakula, as well as adjacent to the Phase 3 concentrator at Kamoa.
As of May 27, 2024, 63 MW of on-site backup generation capacity is installed at Kamoa-Kakula and that is expected to increase to a total of 123 MW by July. Peak on-site power demand from Phase 1 and 2 operations is approximately 105 MW. The Phase 3 concentrator will add an additional requirement of approximately 45 MW once fully ramped. In addition, the smelter will require a further 75 MW of power once fully ramped up throughout 2025.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
9 Comments
This government in Zambia is wicked.
This is the worst government since the dawn of our democracy 😭 HH has come to finish the little he left during privatization
I am dumbfounded, eeeeeeish.
Respect
Tu PF 😂
Lack of nationalist in the africa continent .
Sir any requirement civil supervisor
You country people are suffering nama laodsheding iwee busy selling malaiti….ballyconomics 🤣🤣
Would you prefer the mine flood ? Due to cutting off power
Imagine if you are that country that only depends on importing power ? It will take a while to build more capacity to generate more power sources not linked to hydro. Unfortunately this is the impact of climate change . The silver lining is that it will accelerate innovation. Look at South Africa ! How long did the country take to readjust and find solutions .
But your truth is load-shedding is in the immediate affecting people .
What are you solutions ?