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Through phased expansions, the Kamoa Copper Mining Complex is positioned to soon become one of the world’s largest copper producers.
Kamoa Copper S.A. is the operator of the Kamoa Copper Mining Complex, and is a joint venture between Canadian mining company Ivanhoe Mines (which indirectly holds 39.6%), Chinese multinational mining company Zijin Mining Group (which indirectly holds 39.6%) and private Hong Kong-based company Crystal River Global Limited (which indirectly holds 0.8%). The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo owns the remaining shareholding of the company (20%).
Located in the DRC’s Lualaba Province, near the town of Kolwezi, on the Central African Copperbelt, Ivanhoe Mines’ DRC operating subsidiary Kamoa Copper produced its first copper on 25 May 2021.
Through phased expansions, the Kamoa Copper Mining Complex is positioned to become one of the world’s largest copper producers.
Kamoa’s mines are powered by clean, renewable hydro-generated electricity and will be among the world’s lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of metal produced once it reaches a steady state of production.
Kamoa Copper S.A. is the operator of the Kamoa Copper Mining Complex, and is a joint venture between Canadian mining company Ivanhoe Mines (which indirectly holds 39.6%), Chinese multinational mining company Zijin Mining Group (which indirectly holds 39.6%) and private Hong Kong-based company Crystal River Global Limited (which indirectly holds 0.8%). The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo owns the remaining shareholding of the company (20%).
To be a tier one copper producer, creating prosperity for all our stakeholders.
Our three principal values reflect and guide our business decisions. They link our business activities to our responsibilities; our sustainability strategy; and they help shape our company growth as we prepare for the future.
Together with our shareholders, our people and our host communities – we create positive change safely, responsibly and with integrity.
To embrace our differences and create an organisational culture rooted in respect, engagement and inclusivity – where the sum is greater than the parts.
In an environment that promotes development, health, safety and wellbeing.
Kamoa Copper achieved several milestones in 2021 both before and after the first production of copper concentrate on 25 May 2021 at its Kakula Mine.
The Kamoa Copper Mining Complex is comprised of a series of copper deposits, which were formed 500 million years ago and were subsequently hidden under a thin layer of Kalahari sand for approximately ten million years. The copper deposits were first identified by the application of modern exploration techniques over two decades ago, and delineated since by a significant drill programme of over 400,000 metres and counting.
Kamoa Copper forms part of a previously unrecognised western extension of the famous Central African Copperbelt, and today is recognised as the world’s fourth largest copper discovery and the largest copper discovery ever on the African continent.
Ivanplats, through its wholly owned subsidiary African Minerals (Barbados) Limited (AMBL), became active in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
AMBL became the registered holder of exploration permits covering an existing land position of approximately 14,000 square kilometres.
More than 70 areas of interest were identified through the use of aeromagnetic and radiometric airborne geophysical methods and surface geochemical sampling.
Initial reverse circulation at Kamoa and Makalu discovered stratiform copper mineralisation at a different stratigraphic position than was typical for the Congolese Copperbelt.
Follow-up reverse-circulation and diamond drilling uncovered high grades and significant widths of stratiform copper mineralisation in an area Copperbelt geologists previously thought to be barren.
Announcement of the Kamoa discovery was made through a collaborative effort of a global team of exceptionally talented geologists, mine finders and financiers.
DRC government grants mining licences for the Kamoa Project, covering a total 400 square kilometres, valid for 30 years, renewable at 15-year intervals.
An independent mineral resource estimate ranks Kamoa as Africa’s largest, high-grade copper discovery and the world’s largest undeveloped high-grade copper discovery.
Ivanplats changes name to Ivanhoe Mines.
Construction begins on Kamoa copper mine box cut.
Ivanhoe Mines and China-based Zijin Mining Group sign landmark agreement to co-develop Kamoa copper discovery.
Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining Group make second major copper discovery – Kakula.
Major drilling programme initiated at Kakula copper discovery.
Wood Mackenzie independently demonstrates Kamoa Copper as the largest copper discovery ever made in the history of mining on the African continent.
DRC Government receives additional 15% interest in the Kamoa Copper, increasing its total stake in the project to 20%.
Independent Preliminary Economic Assessment on Kakula released.
Kakula West deposit discovered.
Kakula box-cut development completed.
Development of twin declines at Kakula begins.
Exploration drilling intersects Kamoa North Bonanza Zone.
Kamoa’s Prefeasibility Study published, and the extended Kamoa Copper Preliminary Economic Assessment updated.
Independent Integrated Development Plan for the Kamoa Copper Complex is released, which includes a Definitive Feasibility Study for the first Kakula Mine.
Kamoa Copper enters a new era of copper production from the first 3.8 Mtpa mine at Kakula.
Kamoa Copper Phase 1 concentrator plant achieves commercial production.
Kamoa Copper awards contract for 500,000 tpa direct-to-blister copper smelter.
Kamoa Copper approves de-bottlenecking plan to increase the combined design processing capacity of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrator plants to 9.2 Mtpa of ore.
Kamoa Copper commissions Phase 2 concentrator plant four months ahead of original development schedule.
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