Operations at Phase 1 and 2 concentrators continue at reduced capacity from surface stockpiles.
Operations at Kamoa mine and Phase 3 concentrator continue uninterrupted.
KOLWEZI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO – Kamoa Copper SA reports today that mining operations are temporarily suspended at the Kakula underground mine at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex.
Over the past week, seismic activity was experienced in the eastern section of the Kakula mine, leading to Kamoa Copper’s management team suspending underground operations on Sunday, May 18, 2025. All employees were safely brought above ground in line with protocols, and mobile equipment was removed from the mine workings. No injuries were reported.
Senior management and geotechnical specialists have been mobilized to conduct a thorough inspection of the Kakula underground mine, which commenced today. Seismic activity is reported to have significantly reduced in the past 24 hours and the western section of the Kakula mine has been declared safe for mining operations to resume imminently.
The inspection will continue into the eastern section of the Kakula mine, where underground infrastructure, including pumping, may be impacted.
The Phase 1 and 2 concentrators are temporarily operating at a reduced capacity, processing ore from surface stockpiles. Ore from the western section of the Kakula mine will also be processed as soon as underground operations resume. As at April 30, 2025, Kamoa-Kakula’s high- and medium-grade ore surface stockpiles totaled approximately 3.80 million tonnes at an estimated, blended average grade of 3.2% copper.
Mining activities at the Kamoa underground mine and processing at the adjacent Phase 3 concentrator have not been impacted.
Kamoa Copper will provide further updates in due course.
About Kamoa Copper
The Kamoa Copper Project is a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines (39.6%), Zijin Mining Group (39.6%), Crystal River Global Limited (0.8%), and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (20%).
The Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex is one of the world’s highest-grade and fastest-growing major copper mining operations. Copper concentrates were first produced in May 2021, and with the ongoing Phase 2 and Phase 3 expansions, Kamoa Copper is on track to become one of the largest copper-producing operations globally, with projected output for 2025 ranging between 520,000 and 580,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate.
The Kamoa Copper Complex is powered by clean, renewable hydroelectric energy and ranks among the world’s lowest greenhouse gas emitters per tonne of copper metal produced, based on Scope 1 and 2 emissions criteria.
Information contact
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Audrey Mbwinga +243 977 286 486