Happy New Year from the Mining Magazine team! Today, we look at Ivanhoe Mines, which has produced its first copper anodes at the Kamoa-Kakula copper smelter in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking the start of operations at what the company described as Africa's largest copper smelting facility.
Ivanhoe Mines has produced its first copper anodes at the Kamoa-Kakula copper smelter in the Democratic Republic of the Congo , marking the start of operations at what the company described as Africa's largest copper smelting facility.
The Canadian-listed miner said the first anodes were cast in the end of December 2025, about five weeks after the smelter began heating up and one week after the first copper concentrate was fed into the furnace. The facility is located near Kolwezi in Lualaba province and has a nameplate capacity of 500,000 tpa of copper anodes fully ramped up.The start-up comes as Kamoa-Kakula works through a substantial stockpile of unsold copper concentrate. Ivanhoe said around 37,000t of copper were held on site before smelting began.As the smelter ramps up through 2026, the company said it expects to reduce unsold inventory to about 17,000t, meaning copper sales this year are forecast to exceed production by roughly 20,000t. "As destocking occurs, Kamoa-Kakula's management aims to capitalize on near-record-high copper prices," the company said in a statement. 'World-class' smelter Ivanhoe estimated total copper production at Kamoa-Kakula to be between 380,000 and 420,000t in 2026, implying the smelter will operate at about 80% of capacity on average during its first full year. Any extra concentrate not processed on site will be toll-treated at a nearby third-party smelter. Ivanhoe's executive co-chairman Robert Friedland said: "The first production of copper anodes from our world-class smelter is a defining moment for Kamoa-Kakula This achievement is the culmination of a US$1.1 billion investment, 18 million man-hours of disciplined execution, and an outstanding health and safety record that reflects the professionalism and commitment of everyone involved."The smelter has also begun producing sulphuric acid as a by-product, with output expected to reach up to 700,000 tpa at steady state. Acid prices in the region have risen sharply since Zambia imposed an export ban in September 2025, and Ivanhoe said its first local sale has already been agreed.Kakula progress Separately, the company reported progress underground at the Kakula mine following seismic disruptions earlier in 2025. Stage Two dewatering has been completed, allowing selective mining to resume on the eastern side of the mine ahead of schedule, while higher-grade areas on the western side are now accessible.Further dewatering work is expected to continue into the second quarter of 2026.Ivanhoe said construction of the smelter was completed with one lost-time injury over 18 million hours worked, a figure it described as an "exceptionally rare industry achievement."
Kamoa-Kakula Copper Smelter Copper Anodes Democratic Republic Of The Congo DRC Mining African Copper Copper Production Copper Sales Copper Concentrate Copper Stockpiles Copper Prices Mining Investment Base Metals Copper Market Mining Sector Kolwezi Lualaba Province Direct-To-Blister Smelting Copper Processing Mineral Beneficiation Mining Infrastructure Smelter Ramp-Up Industrial Metals Global Copper Supply Copper Demand Energy Transition Metals Electric Vehicle Metals Mining Operations Sulphuric Acid Production By-Product Acid Central African Copperbelt Logistics Costs Mining Margins Concentrate Treatment Toll Smelting Mine Dewatering Underground Mining Seismic Activity Mining Kakula Mine Mine Rehabilitation Pumping Capacity Mining Safety Record Lost Time Injury Rate Health And Safety Mining Renewable Power Mining Solar Power Mine Site Battery Storage Mining Power Supply Stability African Industrial Projects Canadian Mining Companies TSX Mining Stocks OTCQX Mining Copper Exports Local Beneficiation DRC Mining Regulation Africa Commodity Markets Metals Pricing Copper Supply Chain Mining Capital Expenditure Resource Nationalism Africa Large-Scale Mining Mining Development Projects Copper Anode Market Industrial Smelting Capacity Munira Rajkotwalla
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Captured Venezuelan leader Maduro says 'happy new year' as he is led to US jailNicolas Maduro has been led to a detention centre in Brooklyn, New York, after being captured in an extraordinary US operation.
Read more »
Luke Littler sets number of World Darts Championship titles he'd be happy to winLuke Littler feels he could match Phil Taylor's World Darts Championship record of 16 titles, but would be happy with far fewer.
Read more »
Withernsea sea deaths leaves 'happy little town' reelingTwo people are dead and a third is missing after getting into difficulty in the sea at Withernsea.
Read more »
Love Island stars share engagement in ‘incredibly happy’ message three years after appearing on ITV show'Farmer Will' is getting his happily ever after
Read more »
£24 anti-ageing eye serum that 'softens wrinkles': 'I'm so happy''My under-eye area looks smoother, more refreshed, and fine lines are less noticeable'
Read more »
Home Bargains shoppers 'crying happy tears' over new rangeHome Bargains shoppers have something new to be excited about
Read more »