KOLWEZI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) Co-Chairs Robert Friedland and Yufeng “Miles” Sun are pleased to announce that underground development at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) mined and stockpiled 300,000 tonnes of ore grading 5.45% copper from the Kakula and Kansoko mines in January. The tonnage was 11.5% higher than December, while the copper grade was 1.6% higher.
The 300,000 tonnes mined in January included 231,000 tonnes at an average grade of 6.20% copper, including 82,000 tonnes grading 8.80% copper from the high-grade centre of the Kakula Mine.
The project’s pre-production surface stockpiles now contain approximately 1.82 million tonnes of high-grade and medium-grade ore at an estimated blended grade of 4.23% copper. Contained copper in the stockpiles increased by approximately 16,000 tonnes in January – a 25.9% increase over December’s production reflecting increased mining activity in the ultra-high-grade centre of the Kakula Deposit – to a cumulative total of more than 76,000 tonnes (the current copper price is approximately US$7,940 a tonne).
Kamoa-Kakula is on track to have approximately three million tonnes of high-grade and medium-grade ore stockpiled on surface, holding more than 125,000 tonnes of contained copper, prior to the planned start of processing in July 2021.
“In the mining business, grade is king,” said Mr. Friedland. “And the remarkable grade of the ore coming from Kakula is unprecedented for a major mechanized copper mine of this scale. We are just five months away from scheduled first production, which will mark the next step in the evolution of Ivanhoe Mines into a leading, diversified mining company with a development and exploration portfolio of high-value, critical green metals.”
Mr. Friedland and Mr. Sun also congratulated the project team for establishing yet another new monthly record for underground mine development in January with a total of 2,869 metres of advancement.
“A very strong operational and safety performance by our mining teams in January, and overall a terrific start to 2021,” said Mr. Friedland. “We are immensely proud of the more than 6,000 colleagues on site who are delivering this exceptional project on time and on budget. As we rapidly approach initial production, the project is busy recruiting and training the team that will operate the brand new concentrator plant, creating hundreds of additional permanent, well-paying jobs for local Congolese women and men.”
Underground mine development remains well ahead of schedule, providing the confidence to push forward with Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 2 construction
January’s record-setting advancement brings total underground development to approximately 32.7 kilometres – around 11.6 kilometres ahead of schedule. The monthly underground development in January was comprised of 2,544 metres at the Kakula Mine and 325 metres at the Kansoko Mine.
Drift-and-fill stoping operations recently commenced at the Kakula Mine, with more than 66% of January’s ore production coming from stoping operations and the remaining coming from mine development activities. Stoping is a highly-productive mining method of extracting underground ore, leaving behind an open space known as a stope.
Mark Farren, Kamoa Copper’s CEO, commented: “The achievement of 300,000 tonnes mined in January is significant as Kamoa-Kakula is fast approaching the mining rate needed to sustain the project’s Phase 1 concentrator plant.”
“It will be important to balance mining volumes and surface stockpiles to meet the requirements of both the Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrators. We now have nearly two million tonnes of medium- and high-grade ore on surface stockpiles, which should grow to approximately three million tonnes ahead of the scheduled start-up of the concentrator in July, significantly minimizing the ramp-up risk as well as streamlining the commissioning phase,” he continued.
“The large surface ore stockpiles will allow Kamoa-Kakula to maximize throughput once the Phase 1 concentrator is commissioned. Based on our projected mining rates over the next year and a half, we are confident that we also will have more than sufficient stockpiles ahead of the Phase 2 concentrator commissioning,” Mr. Farren added.
Kakula’s combined medium-grade and high-grade ore mined in January was approximately 274,000 tonnes at an average grade of 5.56% copper, including 82,000 tonnes grading 8.80% copper from the +8% copper zone in the centre of the orebody. Mining crews at Kakula are primarily focused on developing the drift-and-fill mining blocks in this high-grade centre. Opening up of the mining footprint for these high grade, drift-and-fill mining areas requires development work in areas of low-, medium- and high-grade ore, and is designed to coincide with the start-up of the processing plant in July. This will allow crews to deliver significant tonnage of high-grade ore directly from Kakula’s underground workings to the processing plant.
Kansoko’s combined medium-grade and high-grade ore mined in January was approximately 26,000 tonnes at an average grade of 4.31% copper. Kansoko’s ore grade increased by 73% in January, compared to December. Kansoko is being developed by training crews and will be a supplemental source of ore for Phase 2 of the project’s development when the Kakula concentrator processing capacity doubles to 7.6 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) − currently planned to be commissioned in Q3 2022.
Miners drilling a 10-metre-high by 7.5-metre-wide drift near the centre of the Kakula Mine. The average grade of ore mined in this area is 8.80% copper.
David Nkulu, Safety Officer, conducting a mine safety drill at the Kansoko Mine’s underground refuge centre.
Phase 1 copper production from the Kakula Mine is scheduled to begin in July 2021. Kakula is projected to be the world’s highest-grade major copper mine, with an initial mining rate of 3.8 Mtpa at an estimated average feed grade of more than 6.0% copper at first, ramping up to 7.6 Mtpa in Q3 2020. Phases 1 and 2 combined are forecast to produce approximately 400,000 tonnes of copper per year. Based on independent benchmarking, the project’s phased expansion scenario to 19 Mtpa would position Kamoa-Kakula as the world’s second largest copper mining complex, with peak annual copper production of more than 800,000 tonnes.
A 2020 independent audit of Kamoa-Kakula's greenhouse gas intensity metrics performed by Hatch Ltd. of Mississauga, Canada, confirmed that the project will be among the world's lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of copper produced.
The Kamoa-Kakula 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 Congo (20%).
January’s ore production was 11.5% higher than December, with monthly copper grade increasing from 5.36% to 5.45%; pre-production surface ore stockpiles now total approximately 1.82 million tonnes grading 4.23% copper
Chart 1: Cumulative tonnes and grade of pre-production ore stockpiles at the Kakula and Kansoko mines – May 2020 to January 2021.
Chart 2: Growth in contained copper in pre-production ore stockpiles at the Kakula and Kansoko mines – May 2020 to January 2021.
Chart 3: Projected growth in contained copper in the pre-production stockpiles at the Kakula and Kansoko mines up to July 2021. Dotted lines denote projections based on the 2020 pre-feasibility study.
The ore being mined from the northern portion of the Kakula Mine is transported to surface via the conveyor system and placed on a blended surface stockpile that now contains approximately 1.07 million tonnes grading an estimated 4.52% copper.
Additional pre-production ore stockpiles are located at the Kakula southern decline (approximately 243,000 tonnes of high-grade ore grading 5.85% copper and 303,000 tonnes of medium-grade ore grading 2.79% copper) and the Kansoko decline (approximately 12,000 tonnes of high-grade ore grading 6.19% copper and 192,000 tonnes of medium-grade ore grading 2.77% copper).
Kakula’s main pre-production stockpiles at the northern declines. The blended stockpiles currently contain approximately 1.07 million tonnes grading 4.52% copper.
Kakula southern decline ore stockpiles containing approximately 243,000 tonnes of high-grade ore grading 5.85% copper, and 303,000 tonnes of medium-grade ore grading 2.79% copper.
Kansoko decline ore stockpiles containing 204,000 tonnes grading 2.97% copper, including 12,000 tonnes of high-grade ore grading 6.19% copper.
Figure 1: The 13.3-kilometre-long Kakula Deposit overlain on southern Manhattan Island to provide a sense of the scale of the deposit.
Figure 2: Underground development completed at Kakula Mine to January 31, 2021 (in black).
Construction of the initial 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant and other surface infrastructure on schedule; earthworks and civil works progressing well for the second 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant
Overall progress of Kamoa-Kakula’s first phase, 3.8-Mtpa mining and milling operation (covering mine infrastructure, concentrator plant and surface infrastructure) now is approximately 71% complete, up from 68% last month. Overall construction of the project’s first phase, 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant and associated facilities is advancing rapidly and is approximately 43% complete, up from 41% last month. The concentrator plant remains on track to be mechanically complete in Q2 2021, with first copper concentrate production scheduled for July 2021.
Kamoa-Kakula’s first phase, 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant, with the main 220-kilovolt electrical substation in the background.
Watch a short fly-over video of the construction of the concentrator plant and other surface infrastructure: https://vimeo.com/506201742/c2965a1fcc
Civil works for the first concentrator plant effectively is complete and the civil contractor now is focusing on the Phase 2 concentrator plant, the high-pressure-grinding-rolls (HPGR) stockpile and milling areas.
Delivery of equipment for the first concentrator plant is nearing completion with more than 2,260 truckloads of equipment – including all structural steel, platework, piping and electrical cable – now on site. The sand filter plant and the last shipments of switchgear are scheduled to arrive in February and March 2021, respectively.
Structural steel erection and platework installation for the first concentrator plant is nearing completion, with only 172 tonnes of structural steel still to be erected (of a total of 4,882 tonnes) and 121 tonnes of platework (of a total of 863 tonnes). Mechanical installation is 68% complete. Piping fabrication and delivery is complete and installation is nearing 50% completion. A total of 83 kilometres of piping will be installed.
All plant areas for the first concentrator have been handed over to the electrical, control and instrumentation (EC&I) contractor for electrical installation. EC&I installation is the last activity before construction completion and subsequent commissioning. Installation of cable racking is complete in most areas and cable installation is well advanced with more than 105,000 metres of copper cable installed out of a total of 207,000 metres (207 kilometres). The installation of instrumentation has started and the energizing of the concentrator plant with medium-voltage power is scheduled for the end of March 2021.
Plumbers Daniel Mbayo (foreground) and Chronos Ilunga (background) installing piping at Kakula’s Phase 1 concentrator plant.
Steel erection and equipment installation for Kakula’s first phase, backfill paste plant effectively is complete with electrical installation well advanced. The backfill plant is scheduled to be complete well before paste backfill is required for mining operations.
The backfill plant will be used to mix tailings from the processing plant with cement to produce paste backfill. The backfill will be pumped back into the mine and used to help support mined-out areas. Approximately one half of the mine’s tailings will be sent back underground, significantly reducing the surface tailings storage.
Construction of the tailings storage facility is progressing well and is scheduled to be completed well ahead of the required date. Installation of the three tailings lines and the tailings-return water line is nearing completion with 24 kilometres (of a total of 25 kilometres) complete.
Construction of the second 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant is progressing well with the current focus on earthworks and civils. Civils works on the lower base of the ball mills and the HPGR stockpile is underway with a total of 1,720 cubic metres of concrete already poured (of a Phase 2 total of 14,000 cubic metres). Bulk earthworks is approximately 37% complete. With orders for all the long lead items of equipment for the Phase 2 concentrator placed in September 2020, procurement activities have focused on the remainder of the plant equipment. The contract for structural steel supply has been placed.
Work on the concrete foundations for Kakula’s Phase 2 ball mills is making excellent progress, while construction of Kakula’s Phase 1 ball mills (background) is nearing completion.
Civil works for the Phase 2 flotation cells foundations (bottom of picture).
Ongoing construction of Kamoa-Kakula’s tailings storage facility.
A 3D overhead illustration of the finished Phase 1, 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant. The picture
A 3D illustration of Kakula’s initial 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant, with the recently-initiated Phase 2, 3.8-Mtpa processing plant shown in magenta. The picture below shows the currentconstruction progress.
A 3D illustration of Kakula’s first phase, finished backfill plant, with the current construction and the initial 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant in the background shown immediately below.
Watch a short fly-over video of construction of the backfill plant: https://vimeo.com/506202840/1f2a57c9df
Watch a time-lapse video of the installation of a disk filter at the backfill plant:https://vimeo.com/506202587/1e4c5c01ff
Advanced, detailed discussions for the marketing of Kakula’s copper concentrates
Kamoa-Kakula is in advanced, detailed discussions with a number of parties with respect to the sale of its copper concentrates. Kakula is expected to produce an extremely high-grade and clean copper concentrate (containing over 55% copper) that will be highly coveted by copper smelters around the world. Metallurgical test work indicates that the Kakula concentrates contain extremely low arsenic levels by world standards – approximately 0.01%.
Kamoa-Kakula now connected to 220-kV national electrical grid; the first of six turbines at the refurbished Mwadingusha hydropower plant now synchronized to the national electrical grid, providing clean, renewable hydropower
In December 2020, the 35-kilometre-long double circuit 220-kilovolt (kV) power line feeding into Kamoa-Kakula was connected to the national electrical grid through theNew Western Dispatch (NRO) substation in Kolwezi. Kamoa-Kakula’s main 220-kV substation is nearing completion and is expected to be energized by the end of March.
Electricians installing electrical cables at Kakula’s main 220-kV substation that will provide power from the national grid to the entire Kamoa-Kakula project.
Watch a short fly-over video of the construction the main electrical substation: https://vimeo.com/506203269/c2d24785c2
Ivanhoe Mines Energy DRC also announced that the first of six new turbines at the Mwadingusha hydropower plant was synchronized to the national electrical grid in December 2020. The commissioning of the hydropower plant’s remaining five generating units, in sequence, is in progress. This will ensure that Kamoa-Kakula’s power requirements are met ahead of the commissioning of the concentrator plant.
The fully-refurbished Mwadingusha hydropower plant now is expected to deliver approximately 78 megawatts of power to the national electrical grid.
Ivanhoe Mines Energy DRC achieved a significant milestone in December when the first of six turbines at the Mwadingusha hydropower plant began delivering clean, hydropower to the national electrical grid.
Refurbished and upgraded generating units 1 and 2 at the Mwadingusha hydropower plant. Unit 1 is operational and delivering clean, hydropower to the national electrical grid, while number 2 will begin commissioning shortly.
COVID-19 prevention initiatives continue to focus on risk mitigation
Kamoa-Kakula’s prevention measures remain strictly enforced, with further prevention being the focus while the world responds to the latest COVID-19 strains. Rigorous testing, physical distancing, wearing of face masks, frequent hand washing and contact-tracing measures still are in place to protect the safety and health of the workforce and community members.
The project has a well-established COVID-19 isolation facility at the Kamoa Camp. Suspected cases and symptomatic patients are moved to this facility, where they are isolated, tested and treated. Once patients have recovered and are deemed no longer infectious, they can return to work only after an additional quarantine period determined by the project’s medical staff.
Kamoa-Kakula has successfully sourced the latest COVID-19 rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) that test for antigens (the presence of viral particles). The tests are being used by the medical team at Kamoa-Kakula to screen all site arrivals and travellers. Test results are received within an average of 20 minutes, which further enhances the preventative measures already in place.
As the pandemic evolves, the medical team at Kamoa-Kakula continues to review and update its risk mitigation protocols. The project’s preventative measures are at the highest international standards, and should there be a case internally, the risk of spreading or cross-contamination is considered to be very low.
Mark Farren, Kamoa Copper CEO (centre), visiting the Kamoa-Kakula Sustainable Livelihoods sewing project. In addition to sewing Kamoa Copper safety uniforms, face masks also are produced for mine workers and local community members as part of the project’s COVID-19 safety initiatives.
Members of Kamoa’s senior management, sustainability and community development teams visit a local maize farm. Left to right: Christos Ioannou, Senior Enterprise Development; Paul Kabengele, Sustainable Livelihoods Advisor; Mark Farren, Kamoa Copper CEO; Chief Musokantanda Kafweku Sabuni; Dr. Guy Muswil, Head of Sustainability; Brett Watson, HSE Managerial Leader; and Tuhan Steyn, Head of Biodiversity.
Alain Mukoj (centre) of Kamoa Copper’s sustainability team overseeing a pineapple crop with farmers from the local community of Mupenda.
Qualified Persons
Disclosures of a scientific or technical nature regarding development scenarios at the Kamoa-Kakula Project in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Steve Amos, who is considered, by virtue of his education, experience and professional association, a Qualified Person under the terms of NI 43-101. Mr. Amos is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is the Head of the Kamoa Project. Mr. Amos has verified the technical data disclosed in this news release.
Other disclosures of a scientific or technical nature regarding the stockpiles in this news release have been reviewed and approved by George Gilchrist, who is considered, by virtue of his education, experience and professional association, a Qualified Person under the terms of NI 43-101. Mr. Gilchrist is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is the Vice President, Resources of Ivanhoe Mines. Mr. Gilchrist has verified the other technical data disclosed in this news release.
The stockpile grade estimates contained in this release are based upon bulk ore sampling from earlier underground headings, and vertical channel sample profiles from recent development. Bulk ore sampling was done on each heading every second blast and three 5-kilogram samples were taken. Since the beginning of October 2020, channel sample profiles are the primary data informing the stockpile grade estimates. These are cut approximately 15 metres apart in 1-metre vertical increments across the full vertical exposure using a handheld grinder, with a 100-to-150-gram sample collected. The samples are pulverized at the project’s onsite laboratory and analyzed using a portable XRF (pXRF) instrument. Kamoa Copper has routinely analyzed its exploration drill core for copper using pXRF, in addition to analysis at a commercial laboratory using four acid digest and ICP-OES. This data has demonstrated that pXRF results can be relied upon for grade control and run-of-mine sampling.
Ivanhoe has prepared an independent, NI 43-101-compliant technical report for the Kamoa-Kakula Project, which is available on the company’s website and under the company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com:
- Kamoa-Kakula Integrated Development Plan 2020 dated October 13, 2020, prepared by OreWin Pty Ltd., China Nerin Engineering Co., Ltd., DRA Global, Epoch Resources, Golder Associates Africa, KGHM Cuprum R&D Centre Ltd., Outotec Oyj, Paterson and Cooke, Stantec Consulting International LLC, SRK Consulting Inc., and Wood plc.
The technical report includes relevant information regarding the assumptions, parameters and methods of the mineral resource estimates on the Kamoa-Kakula Project cited in this news release, as well as information regarding data verification, exploration procedures and other matters relevant to the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release.
About Ivanhoe Mines
Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal joint-venture projects in Southern Africa: the development of major new, mechanized, underground mines at the Kamoa-Kakula copper discoveries in the DRC and at the Platreef palladium-platinum-nickel-copper-rhodium-gold discovery in South Africa; and the extensive redevelopment and upgrading of the historic Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC. Kamoa-Kakula is expected to begin producing copper in July 2021 and, through phased expansions, is positioned to become one of the world's largest copper producers. Kamoa-Kakula and Kipushi will be powered by clean, renewable hydro-generated electricity and will be among the world’s lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of metal produced. Ivanhoe also is exploring for new copper discoveries on its wholly-owned Western Foreland exploration licences in the DRC, near the Kamoa-Kakula Project.
Information contacts
Investors: Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834 / Media: Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034
Forward-looking statements
Certain statements in this release constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “scheduled”, “forecast”, “predict” and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company’s current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release.
Such statements include without limitation, the timing and results of: (i) statements regarding the Kamoa-Kakula Project is on track to have approximately three million tonnes of high-grade and medium-grade ore stockpiled on surface, containing more than 125,000 tonnes of copper, prior to the planned start of production in July 2021; (ii) statements regarding the Phase 1 concentrator plant remains on track to be mechanically complete in Q2 2021, with first copper concentrate production scheduled for July 202; (iii) statements that the risk of the risk of spreading or cross-contamination of COVID-19 at the Kamoa-Kakula Project is considered to be very low; (iv) statements regarding the expectation that Phase 2 of the project’s development when the Kakula concentrator processing capacity doubles to 7.6 Mtpa is to be commissioned in Q3 2022; (v) statements regarding Kakula is projected to be the world’s highest-grade major copper mine, with an initial mining rate of 3.8 Mtpa at an estimated average feed grade of more than 6.0% copper over the first five years of operation; (vi) statements regarding Phases 1 and 2 combined are forecast to produce approximately 400,000 tonnes of copper per year; (vii) statements regarding based on independent benchmarking, the project’s phased expansion scenario to 19 Mtpa would position Kamoa-Kakula as the world’s second largest copper mining complex, with peak annual copper production of more than 800,000 tonnes; (viii) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula will be among the world's lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of copper produced; (ix) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula should have more than sufficient stockpiles ahead of the Phase 2 concentrator commissioning; (x) statements regarding approximately one half of the mine’s tailings will be sent back underground; (xi) statements regarding Kakula is expected to produce an extremely high grade and clean copper concentrate (containing over 55% copper and extremely low arsenic levels by world standards – approximately 0.01%) that will be highly coveted by copper smelters around the world; (xii) statements regarding the fully-refurbished Mwadingusha hydropower plant is expected to deliver approximately 78 megawatts of power to the national grid; and (xiii) statements regarding energizing of Kakula’s main electrical substation and the concentrator plant by the end of March 2021
As well, all of the results of the Kakula definitive feasibility study, the Kakula-Kansoko pre-feasibility
study and the Kamoa-Kakula preliminary economic assessment, constitute forward-looking statements or information, and include future estimates of internal rates of return, net present value, future production, estimates of cash cost, proposed mining plans and methods, mine life estimates, cash flow forecasts, metal recoveries, estimates of capital and operating costs and the size and timing of phased development of the projects. Furthermore, with respect to this specific forward-looking information concerning the development of the Kamoa-Kakula Project, the company has based its assumptions and analysis on certain factors that are inherently uncertain. Uncertainties include: (i) the adequacy of infrastructure; (ii) geological characteristics; (iii) metallurgical characteristics of the mineralization; (iv) the ability to develop adequate processing capacity; (v) the price of copper; (vi) the availability of equipment and facilities necessary to complete development; (vii) the cost of consumables and mining and processing equipment; (viii) unforeseen technological and engineering problems; (ix) accidents or acts of sabotage or terrorism; (x) currency fluctuations; (xi) changes in regulations; (xii) the compliance by joint venture partners with terms of agreements; (xiii) the availability and productivity of skilled labour; (xiv) the regulation of the mining industry by various governmental agencies; (xv) the ability to raise sufficient capital to develop such projects; (xvi) changes in project scope or design; and (xvii) political factors.
Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed below and under “Risk Factors”, and elsewhere in this release, as well as unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release.
The company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors set forth below in the “Risk Factors” section in the company’s Q3 2020 MD&A and its current annual information form.
刚果民主共和国科卢韦齐 — 艾芬豪矿业 (TSX: IVN; OTCQX:IVPAF) 联席董事长罗伯特·弗里兰德 (Robert Friedland) 与孙玉峰 (Miles Sun) 今天欣然宣布，其位于刚果民主共和国 (以下简称"刚果(金)") 的卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目开发持续推进，1月份在卡库拉和卡索科矿山共采出300,000吨矿石，铜品位5.45%；相较12月份的采出矿石量增加了11.5%，铜品位提高了1.6%。
1月份开采的300,000吨矿石中， 231,000吨矿石的平均铜品位为6.20%的矿石，而这其中更是包括了在卡库拉高品位矿床中心采掘的82,000吨矿石，铜品位达8.80%。
项目的投产前地表堆场，目前已储备了约182万吨高品位和中品位矿石，铜品位约4.23%。随着更多采掘班组在卡库拉矿床中心的超高品位矿段进行开采作业，矿堆铜金属量于1月份提升了约16,000吨，累计至76,000吨 — 相较12月份高出25.9% (目前的铜价约每吨铜7,940美元)。
卡莫阿-卡库拉项目将按计划于2021年7月实现投产前，在地表堆场储备约300万吨高品位和中品位矿石，含有超过125,000吨铜金属量。
弗里兰德先生说﹕"在采矿行业中，品位为王。像卡库拉铜矿项目这样，采用大型机械化地下采矿作业且能够采出品位极高的矿石是前所未有的。我们距离投产只有5个月的时间，标志着艾芬豪矿业向行业领先的、多元化矿企又迈进了一步，全力开发和勘探具有高价值的关键性绿色环保金属。"
弗里兰德先生和孙先生还对项目团队表示祝贺，1月份的地下开拓工程共掘进了2,869米，再次创下月度新高。
弗里兰德先生说﹕"1月份，采掘班组在运营和安全领域的表现非常出色。整体而言，2021年的发展势头良好。我们为在场的6,000多名员工感到非常自豪，他们一直在按时按预算地推进这个非凡的项目。 随着项目很快将会投产，我们正忙于招聘以及培训员工操作全新的选矿设备，为刚果(金)当地民众创造额外数百个长期且高薪的职位。"
地下开拓工程持续超计划推进，这为卡莫阿-卡库拉第二序列的建设注入了信心
1月份的掘进持续推进并创下新高，至今已完成超过约32.7公里，超越既定目标约11.6公里。1月份的月度地下开拓工程，包括在卡库拉矿山掘进的2,544米和在卡索科矿山掘进的325米。
卡库拉矿山最近已展开分层充填采矿作业，在1月份开采的矿石量，超过66%来自回采作业，其余则来自矿山开发活动。回采是一种开采地下矿石的高效采矿方法，留下的空间称为采空区。
卡莫阿铜业首席执行官马克·法伦 (Mark Farren) 说﹕"1月份开采的矿石量达到300,000吨，对于项目的开发意义重大。卡莫阿-卡库拉正在提升采矿力度，很快将会达到项目第一座选矿厂所需的开采量。"
"我们必须在采矿量和地表矿堆量之间取得平衡，以满足第一和第二序列选矿厂的需求。地表堆场目前已储备约200万吨的高品位和中品位矿石。选矿厂将按计划于7月开始运行，预计此前地表堆场储备的矿石量将会增加至约300万吨，这将降低扩大产能的风险并简化投产阶段的流程。"
法伦先生补充说﹕"第一序列选矿厂投产后，地表堆场储备的大量矿石将使卡莫阿-卡库拉的产量得到最大释放。按照未来一年半预测的开采率计算，我们有信心在第二序列选矿厂投产之前将会储备足够的堆存矿石。"
1月份在卡库拉采出的高品位和中品位矿石总共约274,000吨，平均铜品位5.56%，其中包含在矿床中心铜品位8%以上矿段采掘的82,000吨矿石，铜品位达8.80%。目前，卡库拉的采掘班组主要专注于高品位矿床中心的分层充填采矿区开拓。为了能在这些高品位的分层充填矿段展开采矿作业，必须要在低、中和高品位矿段都进行开拓工作，这一设计也是为了配合计划于7月开始运行的选矿厂。这将使采掘班组可从卡库拉地下直接运送大量的高品位矿石到选矿厂。
1月份在卡索科采掘的高品位和中品位矿石总共约26,000吨，平均铜品位4.31%，相较12月所采掘的矿石铜品位高出73%。卡索科由训练有素的采矿队伍进行开拓，开采的矿石将会用于补足项目在进行第二序列开发时，卡库拉选矿厂扩大至760万吨/年的产能需求，第二序列产能预计于2022年第三季度实现投产。
矿工在卡库拉矿床中心附近钻探10米高x7.5米宽的开拓巷道。该矿段的平均铜品位达8.80%。
安全主任David Nkulu在卡索科矿山的地下避难所开展矿山安全演习。
卡库拉矿山计划于2021年7月实现第一序列铜生产，预期将会成为全球品位最高的大型铜矿，初始年处理矿量380万吨，预计早期的平均入选品位达6.0%以上，其后于2020年第三季度提升产能至760万吨/年。第一和第二序列总共每年将会生产约40万吨的铜金属。根据独立研究机构排名，一旦项目扩产至1,900万吨/年的矿石处理量，卡莫阿-卡库拉将成为全世界第二大铜矿山，年度最高铜产量将超过80万吨。
加拿大密西沙加的Hatch Ltd.对于卡莫阿-卡库拉的2020年温室气体强度指标进行了独立审核，确定项目将会成为全球单位铜温室气体排放最低的矿山之一。
卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目是艾芬豪矿业 (占股39.6%)、紫金矿业集团 (占股39.6%)、晶河全球 (占股0.8%) 及刚果(金)政府 (占股20%) 的合资项目。
1月份开采的矿石量比12月份高出11.5%，月度铜品位从5.36%提升至5.45%；投产前地表矿堆目前已储备矿石量约182万吨，铜品位4.23%
图表1﹕2020年5月至2021年1月期间卡库拉和卡索科矿山的投产前累计堆存矿石量和品位
图表2﹕2020年5月至2021年1月期间卡库拉和卡索科矿山的投产前矿堆铜金属量
图表3﹕卡库拉和卡索科矿山于2021年7月前，投产前矿堆铜金属量的增长估算。虚线是以2020年预可行性研究为基础而作出的预测
在卡库拉矿山北部开采的矿石经由皮带运输系统，送达地表的混合矿堆。混合矿堆目前已储备矿石量约107万吨，铜品位约4.52%。
此外，项目还有另外两个投产前矿堆，分别位于卡库拉南斜坡道 (约243,000吨高品位矿石，铜品位5.85%以及303,000吨中品位矿石，铜品位2.79%) 和卡索科斜坡道 (约12,000 吨高品位矿石，铜品位6.19%以及192,000吨中品位矿石，铜品位2.77%)。
卡库拉北斜坡道的主要投产前矿堆。混合矿堆目前已储备矿石量约107万吨，铜品位4.52%。
卡库拉南斜坡道的矿石堆场目前已储备约243,000吨高品位矿石，铜品位5.85%以及303,000吨中品位矿石，铜品位2.79%。
卡索科斜坡道的矿石堆场目前已储备204,000吨矿石，铜品位2.97%，其中包括12,000吨高品位矿石，铜品位达6.19%。
图1﹕卡库拉矿床总长13.3公里，投影覆盖在曼哈顿岛南部（如下图），可见其规模之大。
图2：截至2021年1月31日在卡库拉矿山已完成的地下开拓工程 (黑色)。
年处理矿量380万吨初始选矿厂和其他地表基础设施的施工按计划推进；第二座380万吨/年选矿厂的土方工程和土木工程进展顺利
卡莫阿-卡库拉第一序列的年处理矿量380万吨开采选矿作业 (包括矿山基础设施、选矿厂和地表基础设施) 整体进度理想，目前已完成约71%，上月完成了68%。项目第一序列380万吨/年选矿厂和相关设施的整体施工正在快速推进，目前已完成约43%，上月完成了41%。选矿厂将按计划于2021年第二季度完工，并计划于2021年7月实现首批铜精矿生产。
卡莫阿-卡库拉的第一座380万吨/年选矿厂，背景为220千伏的主变电站。
关于选矿厂和其他地表基础设施的的简短航拍视频，可通过此链接进行观看﹕https://vimeo.com/506201742/c2965a1fcc
第一序列选矿厂的土木工程基本上已完工，承包商目前正全力推进第二序列选矿厂、高压辊磨机矿仓以及磨矿厂区的土木工程。
第一序列选矿厂的设备交付已接近完成，至今已有超过2,260辆卡车到达矿场 — 所有钢结构、钣金、管道和电缆已运抵现场。砂砾过滤机和最后一批开关设备将分别于2021年2月和3月运抵现场。
第一序列选矿厂的钢结构和钣金即将安装完毕，还剩余172吨的钢结构 (总共4,882吨) 及121吨的钣金 (总共863吨) 需要进行安装。机械安装已完成68%。管道制造已完工及交付，且安装已完成约50%，将会安装总共83公里长的管道。
第一序列选矿厂的所有厂区已移交给电器、控制和仪表 (以下简称"EC&I") 承包商进行电气安装。 EC&I安装是建设工程的最后一项作业，选矿厂完工后将会投入生产。
大多数厂区的电缆架已安装完毕，电缆的安装进度理想，至今已完成安装105,000米以上的铜电缆 (总共207,000米)。目前已展开仪表的安装，选矿厂将于2021年3月底开始获得中压电力的供应。
管道工人 Daniel Mbayo (前) 和 Chronos Ilunga (背景) 在卡库拉第一座选矿厂安装管道。
卡库拉第一序列回填厂的钢架和设备安装基本上已完成，电器安装进展理想。回填厂计划在采矿作业需要回填浆之前完工。
回填厂将选矿厂的尾矿与水泥混合制造回填浆。回填浆将会泵回矿山用于采空区回填。矿山约一半的尾矿将用于井下回填，大大减少地表的尾矿量。
尾矿库的施工进度理想，预计将于规划时间之前完工。三条尾矿管道和尾矿回水管道的安装也即将完成，目前已完成24公里 (总共25公里)。
第二序列380万吨/年选矿厂的施工也进展顺利，目前正重点进行土方和土木工程。球磨机和高压辊磨机矿仓的土木工程正在进行中，并已灌入1,720立方米的混凝土 (第二序列合共14,000立方米)。至今已完成约37%的土方工程。因2020年9月第二序列选矿厂的长周期设备已下订单，未来采购工作将会集中在余下的厂房设备，钢结构的供应合同已经签订。
卡库拉第二序列球磨机的混凝土地基施工进展顺利，卡库拉的第一序列球磨机 (背景) 的建设已将近完成。
第二序列浮选厂地基的土木工程 (图片下方位置)
施工中的卡莫阿-卡库拉尾矿库
图片上半部分为已建成的第一座380万吨/年选矿厂的三维鸟瞰图，下半部分显示了当前的施工进度。
图片上半部分为卡库拉380万吨/年初始选矿厂的三维示意图，规划中的第二座380万吨/年选矿厂则以紫色显示。图片下半部分显示了当前的施工进度。
图片上半部分为已完工的卡库拉第一序列回填厂的三维示意图，下半部分显示了当前的施工进度，背景为380万吨/年的初始选矿厂。
关于回填厂施工的简短航拍视频，可通过此链接进行观看：https://vimeo.com/506202840/1f2a57c9df
关于回填厂安装盘滤机的快放视频，可通过此链接进行观看：https://vimeo.com/506202587/1e4c5c01ff
正在就卡库拉铜精矿销售方案进行深入和详细的讨论
目前，卡莫阿-卡库拉正与多方就铜精矿的销售进行深入和详细讨论。卡库拉将会生产极高品位的清洁铜精矿 (铜品位高达55%以上)，将会是世界各地铜冶炼厂渴求的高质量产品。冶金测试结果显示，相较全球基准，卡库拉精矿的含砷量极低，约为0.01%。
卡莫阿-卡库拉现已接入220千伏的国家电网；翻新后的Mwadingusha水电站6台涡轮机中的第1台已与国家电网同步，提供清洁、可再生水电能源。
2020年12月，卡莫阿-卡库拉连接的一条35公里长的220千伏双回线，与位于科卢韦齐的西部调度 (Western Dispatch) 变电站通电。
电工在卡莫阿-卡库拉220千伏主要变电站进行电缆安装。
关于主要变电站施工的简短航拍视频，可通过此链接进行观看：https://vimeo.com/506203269/c2d24785c2
艾芬豪矿业刚果 (金) 能源公司 (Ivanhoe Mines Energy DRC) 公布，Mwadingusha水电站6台新涡轮机的第一台已于2020年12月份与国家电网同步。目前，水电站余下5台发电机正陆续进行调试，这将确保卡莫阿-卡库拉在选矿厂投产前获得充足的电能供应。
全面翻新后的Mwadingusha水电站预计将向国家电网提供约78 兆瓦的电力。
艾芬豪矿业刚果 (金) 能源公司于12月份实现了一个重要里程碑，Mwadingusha水电站6台涡轮机的第一台已开始为国家电网提供清洁的水电能源。
Mwadingusha水电站的1号和2号发电机已完成翻新和升级。1号发电机现已开始运行，并且向国家电网输送清洁的水电供应，2号发电机将在短期内开始调试。
COVID-19防疫措施侧重于降低风险
卡莫阿-卡库拉矿山继续严格实施防疫措施，进一步防范世界各地最近出现的COVID-19新型病毒。防疫措施包括严格测试、保持距离、配戴口罩、经常洗手及追踪调查接触者等，以保护员工和社区成员的安全和健康。
项目在卡莫阿营地设有完善的COVID-19隔离设施。任何疑似或出现病症的人员都将会安排到该设施，进行隔离、检测和治疗。患者康复且不再具传染性后，必须在项目医务人员规定的额外隔离观察期结束后，才可返回工作岗位。
卡莫阿-卡库拉已成功采购最新的COVID-19快速检测试剂盒，检测患者体内的抗原（存在病毒颗粒）。卡莫阿-卡库拉的医疗团队正使用这些试剂盒，为所有抵达矿场的人员进行测试，平均可以在20分钟内取得结果，以进一步加强现有的防疫措施。
随着疫情的变化，卡莫阿-卡库拉的医疗队伍将继续不断审核和更新其疫情防控方案。项目的防疫措施符合国际最高标准，内部出现感染病例，传播或交叉感染的风险也非常低。
卡莫阿铜业首席执行官马克·法伦参观卡莫阿-卡库拉可持续民生计划的缝纫项目。除了缝制卡莫阿铜业的安全工作服外，项目更为矿工和当地社区成员缝制口罩，作为对应COVID-19防疫举措的一部分。
卡莫阿的高管人员、可持续发展和社区发展团队成员参观了当地的一个玉米种植场。左起﹕高级企业发展人员Christos Loannou、可持续生计顾问Paul Kabengele、卡莫阿铜业首席执行官马克·法伦、Musokantanda Kafweku Sabuni队长、可持续发展负责人Guy Muswil博士、HSE部门主管Brett Watson 以及生物多样性部门负责人Tuhan Steyn。
卡莫阿铜业可持续发展团队成员Alain Mukoj (中) 与当地社区Mupenda的农夫一同
察看菠萝作物。
合资格人
本新闻稿中关于卡莫阿-卡库拉项目的科学或技术性披露已经由史蒂夫·阿莫斯 (Steve Amos) 审查和批准，他凭借其教育、经验和专业协会会籍被认为是NI 43-101 标准下的合资格人。由于阿莫斯先生是卡莫阿项目的负责人，因此他并不符合NI 43-101 对独立人士的界定。阿莫斯先生已核实本新闻稿所披露的技术数据。
本新闻稿中关于矿堆的其它科学或技术性披露已经由乔治·吉尔克里斯特 (George Gilchrist) 审查和批准，他凭借其教育、经验和专业协会会籍被认为是NI 43-101 条款下的合资格人。由于吉尔克里斯特先生是艾芬豪矿业资源部副总裁，因此他并不符合NI 43-101 对独立人士的界定。吉尔克里斯特先生已核实本新闻稿所披露的其它技术数据。
本新闻稿所载的矿堆品位估算值是基于早前从地下巷道的大样以及从最近开展的垂直剖面刻槽取样。每个巷道进行第二次爆破时取样，并采集3个5公斤重的样品。从2020年10月起使用刻槽取样的样品作为矿堆品位估算的主要数据，大约每15米在整个垂直剖面上使用手持式切割机按1米垂直间隔进行采样，收集100-150克重的样品。在项目现场实验室磨样加工后，使用便携式XRF (pXRF) 仪器进行分析。除了在商业实验室利用4酸消解和ICP-OES进行分析之外，卡莫阿铜业也经常使用pXRF分析钻孔岩芯中的铜含量。该数据表明，pXRF结果可用于品位控制和原矿取样。
艾芬豪已经为卡莫阿-卡库拉项目编制了一份符合NI 43-101 标准的独立技术报告，该报告可在艾芬豪网站以及SEDAR 网站上的艾芬豪页面获得，网址为www.sedar.com：
- 2020年10月13日发布的2020年卡莫阿-卡库拉综合开发方案，由OreWin Pty Ltd.、中国瑞林工程技术有限公司、DRA Global、Epoch Resources、Golder Associates Africa、KGHM Cuprum R&D Centre Ltd. 、Outotec Oyj、Paterson and Cooke、Stantec Consulting International LLC、SRK Consulting Inc.以及Wood plc编制。
技术报告包括本新闻稿中引用的卡莫阿-卡库拉项目的矿产资源估算的假设、参数和方法等信息，以及本新闻稿中关于科学和技术性披露的数据验证、勘探程序和其他事项的信息。
关于艾芬豪矿业
艾芬豪矿业是一家加拿大的矿业公司，目前正推进旗下位于南部非洲的三大合资企业项目﹕位于刚果(金)的卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿和位于南非的普拉特瑞夫 (Platreef) 钯-铂-镍-铜-铑-金矿的大型机械化地下矿山开发工程，以及同样位于刚果(金)、久负盛名的基普什 (Kipushi) 锌-铜-锗-银矿的大型重建和改善工程。卡莫阿-卡库拉预计将于2021年7月实现铜生产，并分阶段进行扩建，预计将会成为全球最大规模的铜生产商之一。卡莫阿-卡库拉和基普什将使用清洁、可再生的水电，并将成为全球每单位金属温室气体排放量最低的矿山之一。同时，艾芬豪正在刚果(金)境内其全资拥有、毗邻卡莫阿-卡库拉项目的西部前沿(Western Foreland)探矿权内寻找新的铜矿资源。
联系方式
投资者﹕Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834 / 媒体﹕Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034
前瞻性陈述
本新闻稿载有的某些陈述可能构成适用于证券法所定义的"前瞻性陈述"或"前瞻性信息"。该等陈述及信息涉及已知和未知的风险、不明朗因素和其他因素，可能导致本公司的实际业绩、表现或成就、其项目或行业的业绩，与前瞻性陈述或信息所表达或暗示的任何未来业绩、表现或成就产生重大差异。该等陈述可通过文中使用"可能"、"将会"、"会"、"将要"、"打算"、"预期"、"相信"、"计划"、"预计"、"估计"、 "安排"、"预测"、"预言"及其他类似用语，或者声明"可能"、"会"、"将会"、"可能会"或"将要"采取、发生或实现某些行动、事件或结果进行识别。这些陈述仅反映本公司于本新闻稿发布当日对于未来事件、表现和业绩的当前预期。
该等陈述包括但不限于下列事项的时间点和结果﹕(i) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉项目将按计划于2021年7月实现投产前，在地表堆场储备约300万吨高品位和中品位矿石，含有超过125,000吨铜金属的陈述； (ii) 关于选矿厂将按计划于2021年第二季度完工，并于2021年7月实现首批铜精矿生产的陈述；(iii)关于卡莫阿-卡库拉项目一旦出现COVID-19感染病例，传播或交叉感染的风险也非常低的陈述；(iv) 关于项目在进行第二序列开发时，卡库拉选矿厂扩大至760万吨/年的产能需求，预计于2022年第三季度实现投产的陈述；(v) 关于卡库拉矿山预期将会成为全球品位最高的大型铜矿，初始年处理矿量为380万吨，预计投产后前5年的平均入选铜品位达6.0%以上的陈述；(vi) 关于第一和第二序列总共每年将会生产约400,000吨铜金属的陈述；(vii) 关于根据独立的研究机构排名，一旦项目扩产至1,900万吨/年，卡莫阿-卡库拉将成为全世界第二大铜矿山，年度最高铜产量将超过800,000吨的陈述；(viii) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉项目将会成为全球每单位铜的温室气体排放量最低矿山之一的陈述；(ix) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉第二座选矿厂投产之前将会储备足够矿堆量的陈述；(x) 关于矿山约一半的尾矿将被泵送回地下的陈述；(xi) 关于卡库拉将会生产极高品位的清洁铜精矿(含铜量达55%以上，相较全球标准含砷量极低，约为0.01%)，将会是世界各地铜冶炼厂渴求的高质量产品的陈述；(xii) 关于Mwadingusha水电厂全面翻新后预计将向国家电网提供约78 兆瓦电力的陈述；以及(xiii) 关于选矿厂将于2021年3月底开始获得中压电力供应的陈述。
此外，卡库拉最终可行性研究、卡库拉-卡索科预可行性研究及卡莫阿-卡库拉初步经济评估的所有结果，构成了前瞻性陈述或信息，并包括内部收益率的未来估算、净现值，未来产量、现金成本估算、建议采矿方案和方法、矿山寿命估计、现金流预测、金属回收率、资本和运营成本估算，以及项目分期开发的规模和时间点。另外，对于与卡莫阿-卡库拉项目开发有关的特定前瞻性信息，公司是基于某些不确定因素而作出假设和分析。不确定因素包括：(i) 基础设施的充足性；(ii) 地质特征；(iii) 矿化的冶金特征；(iv) 发展充足选矿产能的能力；(v) 铜价格；(vi) 完成开发所需的设备和设施的可用性；(vii) 消耗品和采矿及选矿设备的费用；(viii) 不可预见的技术和工程问题；(ix) 事故或破坏或恐怖主义行为；(x) 货币波动； (xi) 法例修订；(xii) 合资伙伴对协议条款的遵守情况；(xiii) 熟练劳工的人手和生产率；(xiv) 各政府机构对矿业的监管；(xv) 筹集足够资金以发展该等项目的能力；(xiv) 项目范围或设计更变；以及(xv) 政治因素。
前瞻性陈述及信息涉及重大风险和不确定性，故不应被视为对未来表现或业绩的保证，并且不能准确地指示能否达到该等业绩。许多因素可能导致实际业绩与前瞻性陈述或信息所讨论的业绩有重大差异，包括但不限于"风险因素"以及本新闻稿其他部分所指的因素，以及有关部门实施的法律、法规或规章或其不可预见的变化；与本公司签订合约的各方没有根据协议履行合约；社会或劳资纠纷；商品价格的变动；以及勘探计划或研究未能达到预期结果或未能产生足以证明和支持继续勘探、研究、开发或运营的结果。
虽然本新闻稿载有的前瞻性陈述是基于本公司管理层认为合理的假设而作出，但本公司不能向投资者保证实际业绩会与前瞻性陈述的预期一致。这些前瞻性陈述仅是截至本新闻稿发布当日作出，而且受本警戒性声明明确限制。根据相应的证券法，本公司并无义务更新或修改任何前瞻性陈述以反映本新闻稿发布当日后所发生的事件或情况。
由于公司在2020年第三季度管理层讨论和分析和当前年度报告中"风险因素"部分所列的因素，公司的实际业绩可能与这些前瞻性陈述中预期的业绩有重大差异。