Ivanhoe copper output jumps 19% as Kamoa-Kakula rebounds
2026-10-09 11:32:21 [Print]
Ivanhoe Mines reported third-quarter copper production of 76,401 tonnes, a 19% increase from the previous quarter, as mining operations recovered and output returned toward 2025 levels.
In the third quarter of 2026, the Canadian miner produced 76,401 tonnes of copper in saleable products, including 68,188 tonnes of copper concentrate, at its Kamoa-Kakula operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, marking an 11.5% increase from the prior quarter.
Copper production in the third quarter of 2025 reached 71,266 tonnes of copper concentrate, followed by a 14% decline in the second quarter of 2026 to 61,134 tonnes.
Mining rates rose 30% to more than 700,000 tonnes per month, equivalent to approximately 8.5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa), as additional crews, a new box-cut access point at the Kamoa 1 mine and the start of stoping helped accelerate underground operations, Ivanhoe said.
Kamoa-Kakula is owned by Ivanhoe, Zijin Mining, the DRC Government and Crystal River.
Ivanhoe maintained its 2026 production guidance of 290,000 to 310,000 tonnes of copper in saleable copper products, but said output is trending toward the lower end of guidance. At the end of the third quarter, Kamoa-Kakula had approximately 43,000 tonnes of copper in inventory.
The complex's 500,000 tonnes-per-annum copper smelter is operating at 60% capacity, producing not only copper anodes but also about 480,000 tonnes of high-strength sulphuric acid annually.
Ivanhoe also said output at its Kipushi zinc mine in the DRC rose 10% to 77,147 tonnes of zinc concentrate.
In the third quarter of 2026, the Canadian miner produced 76,401 tonnes of copper in saleable products, including 68,188 tonnes of copper concentrate, at its Kamoa-Kakula operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, marking an 11.5% increase from the prior quarter.
Copper production in the third quarter of 2025 reached 71,266 tonnes of copper concentrate, followed by a 14% decline in the second quarter of 2026 to 61,134 tonnes.
Mining rates rose 30% to more than 700,000 tonnes per month, equivalent to approximately 8.5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa), as additional crews, a new box-cut access point at the Kamoa 1 mine and the start of stoping helped accelerate underground operations, Ivanhoe said.
Kamoa-Kakula is owned by Ivanhoe, Zijin Mining, the DRC Government and Crystal River.
Ivanhoe maintained its 2026 production guidance of 290,000 to 310,000 tonnes of copper in saleable copper products, but said output is trending toward the lower end of guidance. At the end of the third quarter, Kamoa-Kakula had approximately 43,000 tonnes of copper in inventory.
The complex's 500,000 tonnes-per-annum copper smelter is operating at 60% capacity, producing not only copper anodes but also about 480,000 tonnes of high-strength sulphuric acid annually.
Ivanhoe also said output at its Kipushi zinc mine in the DRC rose 10% to 77,147 tonnes of zinc concentrate.
Zinc Conc. Zn 50%min, Ag 100g/dt min EXW China Ag payable
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China's zinc oxide producers' operating rate statistics by province by month
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