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 269,000 tonnes of ore grading 5.36% copper in December from the Kakula and Kansoko mines. The tonnage was 7.6% higher than November, while the copper grade was 10.5% higher.
The project’s pre-production surface stockpiles now contain approximately 1.52 million tonnes of high-grade and medium-grade ore at an estimated blended grade of 4.03% copper. Contained copper in the stockpiles increased by approximately 14,400 tonnes in December – a 30.9% increase over November’s production reflecting the increased mining in the ultra-high-grade centre of the Kakula Deposit – to a cumulative total of more than 61,000 tonnes (the current copper price is approximately US$7,900 a tonne).
The project 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.
Mr. Friedland and Mr. Sun also noted that the project team established another new monthly record for underground mine development in December with a total of 2,792 metres of advancement – 620 metres more than the previous monthly high achieved in October 2020. Another important development milestone was achieved in late December with the second holing of Kakula’s northern and southern access tunnels, establishing additional access to mine Kakula’s high-grade ore in the centre of the orebody grading +8% copper.
“After more than 26 years of continuous efforts, Ivanhoe Mines and its joint-venture partners are less than six months away from initial production at Kamoa-Kakula – the first world-scale copper discovery on the African continent in generations. This year’s transformation marks the beginning of the next chapter of our journey that began in 1994 and has involved thousands of dedicated and talented people,” said Mr. Friedland. “Underground development at the Kakula Mine is well ahead of schedule and construction of the first phase processing plant is on schedule to produce exceptionally high-grade and clean copper concentrates beginning this July. The performance of Kamoa Copper’s multinational management team in successfully navigating the profound logistical challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic has been absolutely outstanding.”
“Our expectations are for continued rising copper prices through 2021 and beyond; as such, the timing of Kamoa Copper’s first production is fortuitous given that the project is scheduled to have ore stockpiles containing more than 125,000 tonnes of contained copper available for processing by July 1st. A rising copper price directly impacts the realizable value of the contained copper in the stockpiles, the cost of which is capitalized,” Mr. Friedland added.
December’s record-setting advancement brings total underground development to approximately 29.8 kilometres – approximately 10.5 kilometres ahead of schedule. The monthly underground development in December was comprised of 2,521 metres at the Kakula Mine and 271 metres at the Kansoko Mine.
Mark Farren, Kamoa Copper’s CEO, commented: “A terrific performance by our mining teams in December and an exceptional way to end 2020. To achieve a record-setting month in the midst of the holiday season is a testament to the commitment and professionalism of our people. The start of 2021 brings with it a sense of excitement and opportunity as we begin to shift our focus from mine development to production.”
“Mining crews recently entered a remarkably thick zone of high-grade ore grading +8% copper in the centre of the Kakula Mine, which has allowed us to enlarge the development drifts in this area to 10 metres high by 7.5 metres wide (75 square metres), and the increase in ore tonnes per metre of development has been substantial,” Mr. Farren added.
Kakula’s combined medium-grade and high-grade ore mined in December was approximately 245,000 tonnes at an average grade of 5.64% copper, including approximately 55,000 tonnes grading 8.75% 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 the high-grade centre of the orebody. Opening up of the mining footprint for these high grade, drift-and-fill mining areas entails, by necessity, 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 December was approximately 24,000 tonnes at an average grade of 2.49% copper. Priorities at Kansoko during December were to develop and support major ventilation airways towards the mine’s No. 1 ventilation shaft. 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.
One of Kakula’s high-performing mining crews. Top row (left to right): Mike Ilunga, Aliday Mujinga, Elize Nkulu, Ebrahim Tshikala, Liu Huang and Jean Paul Ndayi. Bottom row: Eric Kaut, Seriphin Lupitshi, Lazare Ilunga and Didier Kaona.
Miners operating a jumbo drill at the face of a high-grade development drift near the centre of the Kakula Mine. Due to the thickness of the copper ore in this area, the drifts are 10 metres high by 7.5 metres wide (32.8 feet high by 24.6 feet wide), or 75 square metres. For perspective, the height of the drift is close to the height of a standard telephone pole. The average grade of ore in this area is 8.75% copper and the tonnage per blast is approximately 1,000 tonnes, more than double the tonnage per blast in a normal drift.
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 over the first five years of operation. 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.
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%).
An 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.
December’s ore production was 7.6% higher than November, with monthly copper grade increasing from 4.85% to 5.36%; pre-production surface ore stockpiles now total approximately 1.52 million tonnes grading 4.03% copper
In December, mining crews at Kakula and Kansoko mined and transported to surface stockpiles approximately 269,000 tonnes of ore grading 5.36% copper. This brings the project’s total pre-production high- and medium-grade ore stockpiles to approximately 1.52 million tonnes at an estimated blended grade of 4.03% copper. An additional 622,000 tonnes of low-grade development ore also has been stockpiled on surface.
December’s ore production was approximately 7.6% higher than the 250,000 tonnes grading 4.85% copper mined in November, and approximately 38% higher than the 194,000 tonnes grading 4.01% mined in October.
Chart 1: Cumulative tonnes and grade of pre-production ore stockpiles at the Kakula and Kansoko mines from May 2020 to December 2020.
Chart 2: Growth in contained copper in pre-production ore stockpiles at the Kakula and Kansoko mines from May 2020 to December 2020.
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 900,000 tonnes grading an estimated 4.26% copper.
Additional pre-production ore stockpiles are located at the Kakula southern decline (approximately 188,000 tonnes of high-grade ore grading 5.73% copper and 250,000 tonnes of medium-grade ore grading 2.80% copper) and the Kansoko decline (approximately 3,000 tonnes of high-grade ore grading 6.48% copper and 174,000 tonnes of medium-grade ore grading 2.72% copper).
Kakula’s main pre-production stockpiles at the northern declines. The blended stockpiles currently contain approximately 900,000 tonnes grading 4.26% copper.
Kakula southern decline ore stockpiles containing approximately 188,000 tonnes of high-grade ore grading 5.73% copper, and 250,000 tonnes of medium-grade ore grading 2.80% copper.
Kansoko decline ore stockpiles containing 177,000 tonnes grading 2.77% copper, including 3,000 tonnes of high-grade ore grading 6.48% copper.
Bernard Ngoyi, belt attendant, at the Kakula North underground ore conveyor.
Dianne Lukenda, trainer, with a cable-anchor installation team at the Kansoko Mine.
Figure 1: The overall 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 December 31, 2020 (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 68% complete, up from 63% last month. Overall construction of the project’s first phase 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant and associated facilities is advancing rapidly and is approximately 41% complete, up from 35% last month. The concentrator plant remains on track to be mechanically complete in Q2 2021, with first copper concentrate production scheduled for July 2021.
Civil works for the first concentrator plant is effectively complete (30,135 cubic metres of concrete poured from a total of 31,407 cubic metres) with all areas handed over and well advanced in steel, mechanical, piping and platework (SMPP) erection and installation.
A number of areas 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.
Ongoing installation of piping at Kakula’s first 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant.
Delivery of equipment to site is nearing completion with all structural steel, platework and piping delivered. The last truckloads of electrical cable are on route from the port of Durban, South Africa, and are expected to arrive this month. The sand filter plant and the last shipments of switchgear are scheduled to arrive in February and March 2021, respectively. More than 2,190 truckloads of equipment have been delivered to site.
Less than 680 tonnes (of a total of 4,882 tonnes) of plant structural steel remains to be installed, and 635 tonnes of platework have been installed out of a total of 863 tonnes. All steel and platework is expected to be installed in the next five to seven weeks. With the bulk of the steel structures now complete, the SMPP contractor is focusing on piping and sheeting installation. Approximately 23 kilometres of piping has already been installed.
Electrical installation in a number of areas is progressing well, with the milling area 20% complete and a number of other areas such as crushing, flotation, tailings handling in excess of 10% complete. The initial focus is on cable racking and cable installation – 48,000 metres (48 kilometres) of copper electrical cable have been installed out of a total of 207,000 metres (207 kilometres).
Watch a short fly-over video of the construction of the concentrator plant and other surface infrastructure: https://vimeo.com/495561497/9e42d84cf2
Kakula’s concentrate storage warehouse under construction.
Steel erection for Kakula’s first phase, backfill paste plant is nearing completion with electrical installation underway. The outer steel structure of the plant has been completed including the installation of the gantry crane. Structural steel erection is scheduled to be completed early this year.
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.
Ongoing construction of Kakula’s first phase, backfill paste plant.
Construction of the tailings dam 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 22 kilometres (of a total of 25 kilometres) complete.
The long-lead items for the second 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant have been ordered and Phase 2 of the project’s development is underway. Bulk earthworks is approximately 20% complete and civil works has started in the stockpile and milling areas.
Excavation of the ball mill foundations for the second 3.8-Mtpa concentrator.
Concrete poured for the ball mill foundations for the second 3.8-Mtpa concentrator.
Paul Kamboya Yav, Assistant Boilermaker, at the Kakula concentrator plant.
Pipefitters Serge Itadi Mushid (left) and Junior Malandji (right), working on the concentrate storage warehouse.
Contractors installing copper electrical cables at the Kakula concentrator plant.
Thomas Ngoyi, scaffold erector with DRC contracting company Majengo, at the Kakula concentrator plant.
A 3D, overhead illustration of the finished Phase 1, 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant. The picture
A 3D illustration of the finished ball mills area for the Phase 1, 3.8-Mtpa concentrator, with the next two ball mills for the recently-initiated Phase 2 concentrator plant shown in magenta. 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 immediately below shows the currentconstruction progress.
A 3D illustration of the initial high-pressure-grinding-rolls (HPGR) stockpile, with the recently-initiated second HPGR stockpile shown in magenta. The picture immediately below shows the currentconstruction progress.
A 3D illustration of the tailings thickener (larger one in green) and concentrate thickener (smaller one in green), with the concentrate bagging plant shown in the background and the Phase 2 thickeners shown in magenta. The picture immediately below shows the currentconstruction progress.
A 3D illustration of the reagent storage building,bagging plant and concentrate storage building, with Phase 2 shown in magenta. The picture immediately 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. The backfill plant will blend tailings from the concentrator with cement to produce paste backfill that will be pumped into the mine and used to help support mined-out areas. Approximately one half of the mine’s tailings will be sent back underground.
Watch a short fly-over video of the construction the backfill plant: https://vimeo.com/495562272/bbd5f360b5
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 the national power grid, providing clean, renewable 220-kV hydropower; first of six turbines at the refurbished Mwadingusha hydropower plant now synchronized to the national grid
In December, Kamoa-Kakula was connected to the national power grid with the energizing of the 35-kilometre, 220-kilovolt (kV) power line connecting theWestern Dispatch substation in Kolwezi to Kamoa-Kakula, supplying the project with reliable and clean hydro-generated electricity.
Kakula’s main electrical substation and several of the 220-kV power line transmission towers connecting the substation to the national power grid.
Watch a short fly-over video of the construction of the main electrical substation: https://vimeo.com/495561964/e87607bb4c
Ivanhoe Mines Energy DRC is pleased to announce that the first of six new turbines at the Mwadingusha hydropower plant was synchronized to the national electrical grid in December. Commissioning of the plant’s remaining five generating units, in sequence, soon will begin to ensure that Kamoa-Kakula’s power requirements are met ahead of the commissioning of the concentrator plant. The fully-refurbished hydropower plant is expected to deliver approximately 72 megawatts of power to the national 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.
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 strain. Rigorous testing, physical distancing, wearing of face masks, frequent hand washing and contact-tracing measures are still 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.
Kamoa-Kakula’s contractors accommodations and recreation facilities.
Blasting assistants, Augustine Sondash (left) and Fiston Maloba (right) in the Kakula Mine.
The Mumba community fish farm and vegetable garden, a Kamoa-Kakula Sustainable Livelihoods project designed to enhance food security and the living standards of the people who reside within the project's footprint.
The new school in the village of Muvunda, a community initiative to increase education opportunities for families living near the Kamoa-Kakula Project.
SeamstressProsperine Kazadimake sewing new Kamoa Copper uniforms at the Kamoa Sewing Project, another Kamoa-Kakula Sustainable Livelihoods project.
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 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; (iii) 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; (iv) 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 approximately one half of the mine’s tailings will be sent back underground; (x) 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; and, (xi) statements regarding the fully-refurbished Mwadingusha hydropower plant is expected to deliver approximately 72 megawatts of power to the national grid.
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，12月份在卡库拉和卡索科矿山共采出269,000吨矿石，铜品位5.36%；与11月份同比采出矿石量提高7.6%，铜品位提高了10.5%。
项目的投产前地表堆场，目前已储备了约152万吨高品位和中品位矿石，铜品位约4.03%。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，矿堆所含铜金属量于12月份提升了约14,400吨，含铜量达6.1万吨 — 相比11月份高出30.9% (目前的铜价约每吨铜7,900美元)。
项目将按计划于2021年7月实现投产，此前将在地表堆场储备约300万吨高品位和中品位矿石，含有超过125,000吨铜金属量。
弗里兰德先生和孙先生表示，项目团队的地下开拓工程于12月份再创新高，共掘进2,792米，相比2020年10月的月度最高记录高出620米。卡库拉南北两条运输通道中的第二条已于12月底完成贯通工程，实现了项目的另一个重要里程碑，并到达卡库拉高品位的矿床中心，该矿段的铜品位达8%以上。
弗里兰德先生说﹕“经过26年来的不懈努力，艾芬豪矿业与其合作伙伴距离卡莫阿-卡库拉的初次投产还有不到6个月的时间，这是几代人以来在非洲大陆发现的首个世界级铜矿项目。自1994年起，成千上万的优秀团队成员与我们一同致力于项目的开发，今年的转变更是标志着这个旅程将开启新的篇章。卡库拉矿山的地下开拓工程超计划快速推进，第一座选矿厂的建设将会按计划完成，并于今年7月实现清洁的高品位铜精矿生产。卡莫阿铜业的国际化管理团队，在面对COVID-19全球疫情对物流方面带来的巨大挑战时，成功应对、表现十分出色。”
弗里兰德先生补充说﹕“我们预期铜价格将于2021年及未来，持续强劲走势。项目计划于7月1日前储备超过125,000吨铜金属量的矿堆供给选矿厂，正好配合卡莫阿铜业首次投产的时间点。铜价格的上涨将直接影响矿堆铜金属量的可变现价值，而堆场矿石的开采成本已资本化。”
12月份的掘进持续推进并创下新高，至今已完成超过29.8公里，超越既定目标约10.5公里。12月份的月度地下开拓工程，包括在卡库拉矿山掘进的2,521米和在卡索科矿山掘进的271米。
卡莫阿铜业首席执行官马克·法伦(Mark Farren)说﹕“采掘班组于12月份取得的优异成绩，为2020年画上了圆满的句号。团队在临近新年假期的情况下，仍能创下月度记录，充分印证了他们的专业态度和担当精神。2021新年伊始充满着希望和新生机，我们的重点将会逐渐从矿山开发转移到生产方面。”
法伦先生补充说﹕“采掘班组最近到达卡库拉矿床中心，该矿段厚大且铜品位高达8%以上，使我们能够扩大开拓巷道的断面尺寸至10米高x7.5米宽 (75平方米)，可大大提升每米开拓量。”
12月份在卡库拉采出高品位和中品位矿石总共约245,000吨，平均铜品位为5.64%，其中包含在矿床中心铜品位8%以上矿段采掘约55,000吨矿石，铜品位达8.75%。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。
12月份在卡索科采掘的高品位和中品位矿石总共约24,000吨，平均铜品位为2.49%。卡索科于12月份重点建设通往矿山第一通风井的主要通风道。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。
卡库拉其中一队表现优异的采掘班组。后排 (从左至右)﹕Mike Ilunga、Aliday Mujinga、Elize Nkulu、Ebrahim Tshikala、Liu Huang及Jean Paul Ndayi。前排﹕Eric Kaut、Seriphin Lupitshi、Lazare Ilunga及Didier Kaona。
矿工在卡库拉矿床中心附近的高品位开发巷道工作面操作巨型钻机。由于该矿段的铜矿石厚大，开拓巷道的断面尺寸达10米高x7.5米宽 (32.8尺高x24.6尺宽)，或75平方米。巷道之高相当于标准电线杆的高度。该矿段的平均铜品位达8.75％，每次爆破所得的矿石量约1,000吨，比一般巷道每次爆破所得的矿石量高出一倍以上。
卡库拉矿山计划于2021年7月实现首批铜生产，预期将会成为全球品位最高的大型铜矿，初始年处理矿石380万吨，预计投产后前5年的平均入选品位达6.0%以上。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。
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。
加拿大密西沙加的Hatch Ltd.对于卡莫阿-卡库拉的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每单位铜温室气体排放量最低的矿山之一。
12月份开采的矿石量较11月份高出7.6%，月度铜品位从4.85%提升至5.36%；投产前地表矿堆目前已储备矿石量约152万吨，铜品位4.03%
采掘班组于12月份已在卡库拉和卡索科矿山开采并堆存269,000吨矿石，铜品位5.36%。项目的投产前高品位和中品位矿堆已储备矿石量约152万吨，铜品位约4.03%。另外，622,000吨较低品位的矿石也运送到地表的矿堆。
12月份开采的矿石量较11月份 (250,000吨，铜品位4.85%) 高出约7.6%，较10月份 (194,000吨，铜品位4.01%) 则高出约38%。
图表1﹕2020年5月至2020年12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2020年12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。虚线是根据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输送系统，运送到地表的混合矿堆。混合矿堆目前已储备矿石量约900,000吨，铜品位约4.26%。
此外，项目还有另外两个投产前矿堆，分别位于卡库拉南面斜坡道 (约188,000 吨高品位矿石，铜品位5.73%以及250,000吨中品位矿石，铜品位2.80%) 和卡索科斜坡道 (约3,000 吨高品位矿石，铜品位6.48%以及174,000吨中品位矿石，铜品位2.72%)。
卡库拉北面斜坡道的主要投产前矿堆。混合矿堆目前已储备矿石量约900,000吨，铜品位4.26%。
卡库拉南面斜坡道的矿石堆场目前已储备约188,000吨高品位矿石，铜品位5.73%以及250,000吨中品位矿石，铜品位2.80%。
卡索科斜坡道的矿石堆场目前已储备177,000吨矿石，铜品位2.77%，其中包括3,000吨高品位矿石，铜品位达6.48%。
输送带工Bernard Ngoyi在卡库拉北面地下矿石输送系统前。
培训员Dianne Lukenda与安装电缆架的队伍在卡索科矿山。
图1﹕卡库拉矿床总长13.3公里，覆盖在曼哈顿岛南部（如下图），可见其规模之大。
图2：截至2020年12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理想
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68%，上月则完成了63%。项目第一座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41%，上月则完成了35%。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。
初始选矿厂的土木工程基本上已完工，至今已灌入30,135立方米的混凝土 (共31,407立方米)。所有主要厂区已移交给结构、机械、管道和钣金（以下简称“SMPP”）承包商继续进行安装。
部分厂区已移交给电器、控制和仪表 (以下简称“EC&I”) 承包商进行安装。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。
卡库拉第一座380万吨/年选矿厂的管道安装正在进行中。
矿场的设备交付已接近完成，所有钢结构、钣金和管道已运抵现场。装载着电缆的最后一批卡车正从南非德班港口至矿场的途中，预计将于本月抵达矿场。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。至今，已有超过2,190辆卡车的设备运抵矿场。
厂房还剩余680吨 (总共4,882吨) 的钢结构需要进行安装，635吨 (总共863吨) 的钣金已完成安装。预计所有钢材和钣金将于未来五至七周内安装完毕。随着大部分钢结构的完工，SMPP承包商将会重点进行管道和钣材的安装，至今已完成长度约23公里的管道安装。
其中部分厂区的电器安装进展顺利，磨矿厂区已完成20%，碎石机、浮选厂和尾矿处理厂区等其他厂区已完成超过10%。前期工作主要集中在电缆架和电缆的安装，目前已完成安装48公里长的铜电缆 (总共207公里)。
关于选矿厂和其他地表基础设施施工的简短航拍视频，可通过此链接进行观看：https://vimeo.com/495561497/9e42d84cf2
施工中的卡库拉精矿仓库
卡库拉第一序列回填厂的钢架安装接近完成，电器安装正在进行中。回填厂的外部钢结构已经完成，其中高架起重机已完成安装。钢结构的安装计划于本年初完工。
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作填充采空区。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。
施工中的卡库拉第一序列回填厂
尾矿坝的施工进度理想，预计将于规划时间之前完工。三条尾矿管道和尾矿回水管的安装也即将完成，目前已完成22公里 (总共25公里)。
目前已为第二座380万吨/年选矿厂的长周期设备下订单，项目第二序列的开发工作正在进行中。至今已完成约20%的土方工程，并开始在矿堆和选矿厂区内进行土木工程。
为第二座380万吨/年选矿厂的球磨机进行地基挖掘工程
为第二座380万吨/年选矿厂的球磨机所在区域的地基浇筑混凝土。
锅炉助理Paul Kamboya Yav在卡库拉选矿厂前。
管道安装工Serge Itadi Mushid (左) 和 Junior Malandji (右) 正在精矿仓库施工。
合同工在卡库拉选矿厂安装铜电缆。
刚果 (金) 承包商Majengo的脚手架工Thomas Ngoyi在卡库拉选矿厂前。
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。
图片上半部分为第一座380万吨/年选矿厂已建成的球磨机厂区的三维示意图，规划中用于第二座选矿厂的另外两座球磨机则以紫色显示。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。
图片上半部分为首个高压辊磨机矿仓的三维示意图，规划中的第二个高压辊磨机矿仓则以紫色显示。图片下半部分显示了当前的施工进度。
图片上半部分为尾矿浓密机 (大— 以绿色显示) 和精矿浓密机 (小— 以绿色显示) 的三维示意图，背景为精矿装袋厂房，规划中的第二组浓密机则以紫色显示。图片下半部分显示了当前的施工进度。
图片上半部分为试剂仓库、装袋厂房和精矿仓库的三维示意图，第二序列则以紫色显示。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。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作填充采空区。矿山约一半的尾矿将被泵送回地下。
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/495562272/bbd5f360b5
关于卡库拉铜精矿销售方案的深入详细讨论正在进行中
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 (含铜量达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-卡库拉现已接入国家电网，可为项目提供清洁、可再生的220千伏水电能源；翻新后的Mwadingusha水电站6台涡轮机中的第1台与国家电网同步。
卡莫阿-卡库拉于12月份，与位于科卢韦齐的西部调度 (Western Dispatch) 变电站通过一条35公里长的220千伏电力线相连通，使国家电网为项目提供可靠和清洁的水电能源。
卡库拉的主要变电站以及连接变电站与国家电网的220千伏电路线输电搭。
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/495561964/e87607bb4c
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12月份与国家电网同步。其后，水电站余下5台发电机很快将会陆续进行调试，以确保卡莫阿-卡库拉在选矿厂投产前获得充足的电能供应。全面翻新后的水电站预计将向国家电网提供约72 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。
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-卡库拉承包商的宿舍和娱乐设施。
爆破工程助理 Augustine Sondash (左) 和 Fiston Maloba (右) 在卡库拉矿山。
“卡莫阿-卡库拉可持续民生计划”旗下的Mumba社区水产和蔬菜种植园，目标是提升项目占地范围内社区居民的食品安全和生活水平。
在Muvunda村新建成的学校为社区举措之一，旨在为居住在卡莫阿-卡库拉项目附近的家庭提供教育机会。
卡莫阿缝纫项目是“卡莫阿-卡库拉可持续民生计划”的其中一部分。裁缝Prosperine Kazadimake正在缝制卡莫阿铜业的新制服。
合资格人士
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 标准下的合资格人士。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 条款下的合资格人士。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块矿石取样以及从最近开发的垂直剖面刻槽取样。每个巷道进行第二次爆破时取样，并收集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研磨机按1米垂直增量进行采样，收集100-150克重的样品。样品在项目现场实验室粉碎后，使用便携式XRF (pXRF) 仪器进行分析。除了在商业实验室利用4种酸分解液和ICP-OES进行分析之外，卡莫阿铜业也经常使用pXRF分析其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采矿井取样。
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；(iii) 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；(iv) 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年的平均给矿铜品位达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) 关于矿山约一半的尾矿将被泵送回地下的陈述；(x) 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；以及(xi) 关于Mwadingusha水电厂全面翻新后预计将向国家电网提供约72 兆瓦电力的陈述。
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。