KOLWEZI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) Co-Chairs Robert Friedland and Yufeng “Miles” Sun announced that ramp-up of Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1, 3.8 million-tonne-per-annum (Mtpa) concentrator plant continues to advance ahead of schedule, with 319,795 tonnes of ore milled in September, exceeding the monthly design run rate of 316,667 tonnes at an average feed grade of 6.0% copper.
A total of 16,010 tonnes of copper in concentrate were produced (filtered product) and a total of 16,503 tonnes floated in the reporting month ended September 20th – Kamoa Copper’s fourth full month of production – establishing a new monthly record and nearing the Phase 1 target output of 16,666 tonnes per month, or 200,000 tonnes per annum. The difference between filtered and floated copper is approximately 500 tonnes in inventory in the concentrate thickener and the filter feed tank.
The average floated concentrate copper grade in September improved to 55.7%, up from approximately 48% in August. A total of 46,764 tonnes of copper in concentrate had been produced year-to-date as of September 20, 2021, for delivery to either the Lualaba Copper Smelter near Kolwezi, or to international markets.
Copper flotation recoveries improved to an average of 85.1% during September, up from an average of 83% during August. The Phase 1, steady-state-design copper recovery is approximately 86%, depending on ore feed grade.
A daily record copper recovery of 88.3% was achieved on September 12th and a daily floated copper production of 721 tonnes was achieved on September 15th. Subsequent to the reporting period, a daily milling record of 12,596 tonnes and a daily crushing record of 14,778 tonnes were achieved on September 27th.
Chart 1: Cumulative tonnes of copper produced May 2021 to September 20, 2021.The August total has been adjusted to reflect cumulative copper produced to August 20, 2021 (the new monthly reporting cut-off date).
Mark Farren, Kamoa Copper’s CEO, commented on September’s operating performance: “The Kamoa-Kakula team has worked tirelessly to bring the Phase 1 concentrator to steady-state performance. We are very pleased with the September results, where we exceeded steady-state design parameters for ore throughput and were close to achieving steady-state design copper recovery and monthly copper production.
“There are a number of additional adjustments being incorporated into the Phase 1 processing circuit, which will enable the concentrator to achieve better results in the next quarter. These adjustments, which also will be incorporated into the Phase 2 processing circuit, should position us to achieve 2021 copper production in the upper end of our previous guidance of 80,000 to 95,000 tonnes. This gives us the confidence to raise the range to 85,000 to 95,000 tonnes.
“Mining production was steady at 384,000 tonnes produced from the Kakula and Kansoko mines. The mining teams now are well established and are able to consistently outperform our internal budget. We have established a solid base of skilled and motivated Congolese workers, who no doubt will carry us through the ramp-up of Phase 2 and subsequent expansions of our mining footprint. It also is encouraging to note that the Phase 2 concentrator construction remains solidly ahead of schedule and on budget.”
Ivanhoe’s production guidance for contained copper in concentrate at Kamoa-Kakula in 2021 has been raised to 85,000 to 95,000 tonnes. The figures are on a 100%-project basis and metal reported in concentrate is prior to refining losses or deductions associated with smelter terms. The guidance assumes ramp-up continues in line with published technical disclosures.
Performance guarantee tests were successfully completed on the Phase 1 concentrator plant during the first three days of September. The performance tests involved a 72-hour continuous run at steady-state design, or above, ore throughput and grind.
Kamoa-Kakula is fast tracking the commissioning of an additional concentrate filter, which has been installed alongside the Phase 1 filter, to be able to take advantage of copper feed grades and milling rates in excess of design parameters. The additional concentrate filter is expected to be fully operational in early October 2021, enabling the Phase 1 concentrator to produce more copper than its design capacity of approximately 200,000 tonnes per year.
Watch a new video showcasing the ramp-up of copper production at Kamoa-Kakula and the production of blister copper at the local Lualaba Copper Smelter: https://vimeo.com/618907781/0e2fd0ca11
Phase 2 concentrator plant overall construction more than 50% complete, with the current focus on structural steel, mechanical, piping and platework (SMPP) erection and installation
Construction of the second 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant (Phase 2) is progressing well, with the overall project more than 50% complete; engineering and procurement activities are effectively complete with fabrication at 86% complete. Civil construction works also are effectively complete, with the focus now on erection of structural steel and the installation of platework and equipment. A 400-tonne crane (the largest in the DRC) has arrived on site and has been used to lift the tailings thickener rake into position. The crane also will shortly be used to install the ball mills, the ball mill shells, girth gear and ball mill ends, all of which are on site.
The bulk of the 2,193 tonnes of structural steel and the 570 tonnes of platework is on site and the bulk of the 18,644 metres of piping is en route to site. The six-kilometre tailings return water piping has been delivered to site and installation is nearing completion. More than 418 truckloads of Phase 2 construction equipment and materials already have been delivered to site and another 49 truckloads are en-route. The Phase 2 concentrator remains on track for completion in Q3 2022.
Commissioning of the Phase 1 backfill is advancing well with C4 (hot commissioning) activities. More than 7,250 cubic metres of paste backfill have been pumped to an underground trial stope in the Kakula Mine.
The two time-lapsed videos below highlight Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 2 construction efforts, including lifting the ball mills, flotation cells and the tailings thickener.
Video 1: https://vimeo.com/616144971/c0c90f41cf
Video 2: https://vimeo.com/616147092/a718a29b98
Installation of the Phase 2 ball mills is advancing quickly.
The first six flotation cells for the Phase 2 concentrator have been installed, with installation of the Phase 2 ball mills underway in the background.
Members of the construction team with a section of a Phase 2 ball mill shell.
Lifting the Phase 2 secondary screen pan feeder into place.
Mechanic Kabuanga Clement installing a safety railing inside the Phase 2 high-pressure-grinding-rolls (HPGR) stockpile tunnel.
Nadege Santos, Construction Secretary (left), and Doralie Kona, Construction Engineer in training, at the Phase 2 concentrator plant.
A 3D rendering of the Phase 2 flotation cells under construction alongside the Phase 1 flotation cells. The picture below shows current construction progress of the Phase 2 cells, which is 52% complete.
A 3D rendering of the Phase 2 high-pressure-grinding-rolls (HPGR) plant under construction alongside the operating Phase 1 HPGR plant. The picture below shows current construction progress of the Phase 2 plant, which is 54% complete.
A 3D rendering of the Phase 2 high-pressure-grinding-rolls (HPGR) plant under construction alongside the operating Phase 1 HPGR plant. The picture below shows current construction progress of the Phase 2 plant, which is 71% complete.
Mining continues ahead of schedule, adding to the surface ore stockpiles
A total of 384,000 tonnes grading 5.58% copper was mined during the period from August 21 to September 20, including 141,000 tonnes grading 7.32% copper from the Kakula Mine’s high-grade centre and 36,000 tonnes grading 4.89% copper from the Kansoko Mine.
The project’s surface stockpiles now contain approximately 3.66 million tonnes of high-grade and medium-grade ore at an estimated, blended average of 4.73% copper. Contained copper in the stockpiles at the end of August now totals more than 173,000 tonnes (the current copper price is approximately US$9,200 per tonne).
In September, crews began transporting high-grade ore from the surface stockpile near the Kakula southern decline directly to the Phase 1 concentrator plant or to the main surface stockpiles near the Kakula northern decline.
Chart 2: Cumulative tonnes and grade of ore stockpiles at the Kakula and Kansoko mines – May 2020 to September 2021.
Chart 3: Growth in contained copper in ore stockpiles at the Kakula and Kansoko mines – May 2020 to September 2021.
The Kakula Mine, concentrator plants and main ore stockpiles at Kakula’s northern declines (in red circle). The blended stockpiles currently contain approximately 1.80 million tonnes grading 5.04% copper.
The Kakula southern decline and ore stockpiles containing a combined 1.33 million tonnes grading 4.65% copper (consisting of 602,000 high-grade tonnes @ 6.19% copper and 732,000 medium-grade tonnes @ 3.39% copper).
The Kansoko Mine and ore stockpiles containing a combined 521,000 tonnes grading 3.88% copper (consisting of 162,000 high-grade tonnes @ 5.82% copper and 359,000 medium-grade tonnes @ 3.00% copper).
Figure 1: Underground development completed at Kakula Mine to September 28, 2021 (in black).
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 operations, and 5.9% copper over the initial 10 years of operations. Phase 1 is expected to produce approximately 200,000 tonnes of copper per year, while the Phase 2 expansion is forecast to increase production to approximately 400,000 tonnes of copper annually. The project is on track to complete the Phase 2 expansion in Q3 2022. 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%). 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.
Study work advancing to accelerate Phase 3 mine and concentrator expansion
Study work for the Phase 3 mine and concentrator expansion is underway, which includes optimization work to determine mining production capacity and costs at the various mining areas on the Kamoa-Kakula complex, including expanded facilities at the Kansoko Mine, Kamoa North (including the Bonanza Zone) and Kakula West.
This work also will determine the optimal sizing of the Phase 3 concentrator, which was outlined as a further expansion of 3.8 Mtpa in the Kamoa-Kakula Integrated Development Plan announced in September 2020. In addition, the studies will take into consideration the expected timeline for the upgrade of turbine 5 at the Inga II hydropower complex to provide 162 megawatts of renewable hydropower, as well as the construction of a direct-to-blister smelter.
Once the optimization work is completed, Kamoa Copper will advance into a more detailed phase of design and engineering work with its objective to accelerate the Phase 3 concentrator expansion.
Pipe fitters Thara Ngoie (left) and Fanfan Kapepe installing pumps in the new pumping station at the Kansoko Mine.
(L-R) Kamoa Copper’s Pontien Kalala, JanStrydom and Mark Farren inspecting the first mined-out stope in the Kakula Mine being filled with paste backfill. Approximately 50% of the tailings are mixed with cement and pumped back underground to fill mined-out tunnels.
Mwadingusha hydropower plant fully operational and providing enough clean electricity for Kamoa-Kakula’s phases 1 and 2; Kamoa Copper’s green energy focus now shifting to the Inga II hydropower plant as the source of additional clean electricity for Kamoa-Kakula expansions
All six new turbines at the Mwadingusha hydropower plant now have been synchronized to the national electrical grid, with each generating unit producing approximately 13 megawatts (MW) of power, for a combined output of approximately 78 MW.
Kamoa-Kakula’s energy company has agreed to assist with the maintenance of the Mwadingusha turbines and a maintenance agreement between the state-owned power company SNEL and Ivanhoe Mines Energy is being drafted.
The Mwadingusha hydropower refurbishment project was awarded the ‘Best Public- Private Partnership Project of the Year’ at the recent 2021 DRC Energy Conference in Lubumbashi, organized by the Federation des Enterprise du Congo (the DRC Business Federation).
Ivanhoe Mines’ Louis Watum (left) and Bosco Kayombo, CEO of SNEL (right), receiving the award for the ‘Best Public-Private Partnership Project of the Year’ from Eve Bazaïba, Deputy DRC Prime Minister (centre).
In early August 2021, Kamoa-Kakula’s energy company signed an extension of the existing financing agreement with SNEL to upgrade turbine 5 at the Inga II hydropower complex. Since June 2021, rehabilitation scoping works and technical visits have been conducted by Stucky Ltd., of Renens, Switzerland, and Voith Hydro of Heidenheim, Germany, a leading engineering group. Voith, the contractor for the turbine 5 upgrade, has successfully rehabilitated two turbine generators at the adjoining Inga I hydropower plant, a project that was financed by the World Bank.
Early works related to the removal of sand from area around turbine 5 is in progress, which will allow the engineering team to complete the scoping work. Ivanhoe expects to soon be in a position to provide an update on the expected upgrading costs for turbine 5 as well as the expected timeline for completion of the upgrading project.
Turbine 5 is expected to produce 162 MW of renewable hydropower, providing the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex and the planned, associated smelter with abundant, sustainable electricity for future expansions.
Kamoa Copper partnership continues COVID-19 vaccination efforts for employees and residents who live in host communities
Kamoa-Kakula has successfully focused on prevention, preparation, and mitigation in managing the risks associated with COVID-19. Large-scale testing, combined with focused preventative measures, ensured that positive cases were quickly identified, isolated, and treated, with cross contamination kept to a minimum. Maintaining this high standard of risk management remains the main focus to prevent future cases.
With the support of the Democratic Republic of Congo government, UNICEF and other stakeholders, Kamoa Copper SA completed its first round of COVID-19 vaccinations in June 2021. In conjunction with the DRC government’s extended program of vaccinations, the second round of COVID-19 vaccinations at Kamoa-Kakula commenced in mid-August. The vaccine is available for all Kamoa Copper employees, contractors and residents living in the mine’s host communities.
The Kamoa COVID-19 hospital continues to treat patients when required, as construction progresses well for the expansion and upgrade of the primary healthcare wing. Kamoa-Kakula’s highly experienced medical team applies the latest medical treatments, supported by a world-leading emergency response and paramedic team.
As the pandemic evolves, the medical team at the Kamoa hospital continues to review and update risk mitigation protocols, while ensuring that new medical advances are investigated and applied to protect the health and safety of employees and community members.
A yellow-billed kite flying above the Kamoa-Kakula Mine. Kamoa Copperis focused on being responsible stewards of the environment, helping to protect the region’s flora, fauna and biodiversity.
Alice Mboy, Kamoa Copper’s Senior Community Relations Officer, presenting awards to students at the Muvunda primary school graduation ceremony. The new school in the village of Muvunda is a Kamoa Copper community initiative to increase education opportunities for families living near the Kamoa-Kakula 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 Kamoa Copper’s Head of Projects. 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 related to the stockpiles disclosed in this news release.
The stockpile grade estimates contained in this release are based upon bulk ore sampling from material being fed to the plant from surface stockpiles, and underground vertical channel sample profiles from recent development. Channel sample profiles 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. Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this news release may not add up precisely.
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 Democratic Republic of Congo and at the Platreef palladium-rhodium-platinum-nickel-copper-gold discovery in South Africa; and the extensive redevelopment and upgrading of the historic Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kamoa-Kakula began producing copper concentrates in May 2021 and, through phased expansions, is positioned to become one of the world's largest copper producers. Kamoa-Kakula and Kipushi are being powered by clean, renewable hydro-generated electricity and are projected to be among the world’s lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of metal produced. Ivanhoe Mines has pledged to achieve net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mine when large-scale electric, hydrogen and hybrid underground mining equipment become commercially available. Ivanhoe also is exploring for new copper discoveries on its Western Foreland exploration licences in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 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 Ivanhoe’s guidance for contained copper in concentrate expected to be produced by Kamoa-Kakula for 2021 has been tightened to 85,000 to 95,000 tonnes; (ii) 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; (iii) 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 operations and 5.9% copper over the initial 10 years of operations; (iv) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1 is expected to produce approximately 200,000 tonnes of copper per year, and Phases 1 and 2 combined are forecast to produce approximately 400,000 tonnes of copper per year; (v) 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; (vi) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula will be among the world's lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of copper produced; (vii) statements regarding the adjustments being incorporated into the Phase 1 processing circuit should position Kamoa-Kakula to achieve 2021 copper production in the upper end of the previous guidance of 80,000 to 95,000 tonnes; (viii) statements regarding approximately one half of the mine’s tailings will be sent back underground; and (ix) statements regarding an upgraded turbine 5 at Inga II is expected to produce 162 megawatts of renewable hydropower, providing the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex and associated smelter with abundant sustainable electricity for future expansions.
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 2021 Q2 MD&A and its current annual information form.
卡莫阿-卡库拉 I 期选厂9月份处理约32万吨矿石，
铜品位 6.0%，超过设计稳态产能
截至 9 月 20 日月度铜产量再创新高达16,010 吨
截止2021年9月20日共生产超过46,750吨铜
2021年生产指导目标的精矿含铜金属上调至85,000至95,000吨
浮选精矿铜品位及选厂平均浮选回收率分别上升至55.7%及85.1%，
即将达到设计产能
II期选厂的建设现已完成过半<
9月份采出38.4万吨矿石，铜品位5.58%，
包括采自卡库拉矿床中心的14.1万吨矿石，铜品位高达7.32%
地表矿石堆场已储备矿石366万吨，铜品位4.73%，
含有超过17.3万吨的铜金属
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) 欣然宣布，卡莫阿-卡库拉 (Kamoa-Kakula) I期年处理矿石380万吨选厂持续超计划推进，9月份处理矿石量达319,795吨，高于月度设计产能的316,667吨，平均入选铜品位达6.0%。
截至 9 月 20 日月度，也即卡莫阿铜业的第4个完整生产月，共生产精矿含铜金属 16,010 吨 (已过滤)，且16,503 吨已进行浮选程序，创下全新月度记录，且即将达到I期目标产量每月16,666 吨或每年 20万吨铜。在精矿浓密机和过滤机入选槽中的滤铜和浮铜量相差约 500 吨。
平均浮选铜精矿品位从8月份约48%上升至9月份的55.7%。截至 2021年9 月20 日迄今生产精矿含铜金属达 46,764吨，已运至位于科卢韦齐近郊的卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂或出口到国际市场。
浮选铜回收率从8月份平均83%上升至9月份平均85.1%。I期选厂设计稳产的铜回收率约86%，但视入选品位有所浮动。
选厂于9 月 12 日创造88.3% 的单日铜回收率新纪录，并于9 月 15 日单日生产721 吨铜。报告期后，选厂于9 月 27 日再创纪录，单日处理矿石量达12,596 吨，并破碎14,778 吨矿石。
图表1﹕2021年5月至2021年9月20日期间的累计铜产量。 8 月份总计已作调整，以反映截至 2021 年 8 月 20 日 (新的月度报告截算日期）的累计铜产量。
卡莫阿铜业首席执行官马克·法伦 (Mark Farren) 评论9月份的运营表现说﹕"卡莫阿-卡库拉团队日夜奋进、全力以赴使I期选厂实现稳态产能。我们对于9月份的表现非常满意，矿石产量已超越稳态产能，且铜回收率和月度铜产量也即将达到设计稳态产能。"
"我们在I期的选矿流程作出了一些额外的调整，以提升选厂在下一季度的产能。这些调整同时将纳入II期的选矿流程，使我们能够于2021年实现生产指导目标80,000 至 95,000 吨的较高铜产量，也使我们有信心将生产指导目标上调到85,000 至 95,000 吨。"
"从卡库拉和卡索科矿山采出的矿石量维持在 38.4万吨的水平。采矿团队发展成熟，强劲表现持续超越预期。我们拥有一支积极进取、技艺高超的刚果矿工队伍，将全力加快II期和后续扩建的采矿作业。更令人鼓舞的是，II期选厂的建设工程进展顺利，定能在预算之内超计划提前完工。"
艾芬豪对于卡莫阿-卡库拉项目在2021年生产精矿含铜金属的生产指导目标已上调为85,000至95,000吨。上述数字均以100% 项目权益统计。报告的精矿含铜金属量未考虑冶炼协议中的损失或扣减。指导目标假设项目投产后将按之前的披露持续实现产量爬坡。
项目在9月份首三天已完成了I期选厂的性能保证测试。测试要求选厂在72小时内连续以设计稳态产能或更高的速度破碎和磨矿。
卡莫阿-卡库拉项目新增的精矿过滤机安装在I期过滤机旁。项目正全力加快新增过滤机的投产，将可充分发挥超越设计产能的入选铜品位和矿石处理量优势。新增精矿过滤机预计于2021年10月初全面投产，这将使I期选厂的精矿产量得到扩大，超越I期设计产能的年产量 (约20万吨铜精矿)。
点击观看卡莫阿-卡库拉铜产爬坡以及当地卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂的粗铜生产:https://vimeo.com/618907781/0e2fd0ca11
II期选厂整体已完成50%以上，目前正重点推进钢结构、机械、管道和钣金的安装
II期380万吨/年选厂施工进展顺利，项目整体已完成50%以上；工程设计和采购工作基本上已完工，且加工已完成86%。土木工程已完工，目前正重点推进钢结构以及钣金和设备的安装。一台载重400吨的起重机 (刚果(金)最大型的起重机) 已运抵现场，并已开始吊装尾矿浓密机，其后将用于进行球磨机、球磨机外壳、齿轮和球磨机底板的安装。
大部分钢结构 (共2,193 吨) 和钣金 (共570 吨) 已运达现场，而大部分管道 (共18,644 米) 则在运送途中。一条6公里长的尾矿回水管道已运抵现场，且将近完成安装。超过418辆装载II期工程设备和材料的卡车已抵达现场，另外49辆卡车在运送途中。II期选厂将按计划于2022年第三季度完成。
I期回填厂的带料试车工作进展顺利，超过7,250立方米的回填膏体已被泵送至卡库拉矿山的井下试采场。
点击观看卡莫阿-卡库拉项目的II期建设工程，包括球磨机、浮选机和尾矿浓密机吊装﹕
视频1﹕https://vimeo.com/616144971/c0c90f41cf
视频2﹕https://vimeo.com/616147092/a718a29b98
II期球磨机的安装正在全速推进。
II期选厂首批6台浮选机已安装完成，II期球磨机 (背景) 的安装正在进行中。
施工团队成员在II期球磨机的一个外壳前。
II期的二段筛分给矿机吊装。
技工Kabuanga Clement 在II期高压辊磨矿仓的通道内安装安全栏。
建筑部秘书Nadege Santos (左) 及实习建筑工程师 Doralie Kona 在II期选厂前。
施工中的II期浮选机及旁边I期浮选机的三维示意图，下图显示了II期浮选机当前的施工进度 (已完成 52%)。
施工中的II期高压辊磨机厂房及旁边已运行的I期高压辊磨机厂房的三维示意图，下图显示了II期厂房当前的施工进度 (已完成 54%)。
施工中的II期高压辊磨机厂房及旁边已运行的I期高压辊磨机厂房的三维示意图，下图显示了II期厂房当前的施工进度 (已完成 71%)。
采矿作业持续超计划推进，扩大地表堆矿
8 月21 日至9月 20 日期间采出了 38.4万吨矿石，铜品位 5.58%，其中包括在卡库拉矿床高品位中心采出14.1万吨矿石，铜品位高达7.32%，以及在卡索科矿山采出的3.6万吨矿石，铜品位4.89%。
项目地表堆场已储备了约366万吨高品位和中品位矿石，平均铜品位4.73%。截至8月底，地表堆场所含铜金属量累计已超过17.3万吨 (当前铜价约9,200美元/吨)。
9月份开始从卡库拉南斜坡道附近的地表堆场将高品位矿石直接运送到I期选厂或卡库拉北斜坡附近道的主堆场。
图表2﹕2020年5月至2021年9月期间卡库拉和卡索科矿山累计堆存矿石量和品位
图表3﹕2020年5月至2021年9月期间卡库拉和卡索科矿山的矿堆铜金属量增长
卡库拉矿山、选厂和卡库拉北斜坡道主堆场 (红圈) 的位置 。配矿堆场已储备矿石约180万吨，铜品位5.04%。
卡库拉南斜坡道和矿石堆场共储备133万吨矿石，铜品位4.65% (其中包含 60.2万吨高品位矿石，铜品位6.19%；以及73.2万吨中品位矿石，铜品位3.39%)。
卡索科矿山和矿石堆场共储备52.1万吨矿石，铜品位3.88% (其中包含 16.2万吨高品位矿石，铜品位5.82%；以及35.9万吨中品位矿石，铜品位3.00%)。
图1﹕截至2021年9月28日在卡库拉矿山已完成的开拓工程 (黑色)。
预计卡库拉将成为全球品位最高的大型铜矿山，初期年开采矿石380万吨，预计投产后前5年的平均入选品位超过6.0%，投产后前10年超过5.9%。 I 期投产后预计每年将生产约20万吨铜，而II 期扩建投产后每年将累计生产高达40万吨铜。项目将按计划于2022年第三季度完成II期扩建。根据独立研究机构排名，一旦项目扩大产能至处理1,900万吨/年矿石，卡莫阿-卡库拉将成为全球第二大铜矿山，最高年产80多万吨铜。
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%) 及刚果民主共和国政府 (占股20 %) 的合资项目。 2020年，加拿大Hatch有限公司对卡莫阿-卡库拉的温室气体强度指标进行了独立审核，确认项目将会成为全球单位铜温室气体排放最低的矿山之一。
加快研究以推进III期采选扩建
正开展研究以加快III期采选扩建，包括设计优化以确定卡莫阿-卡库拉各矿区的采矿产能和成本，包括卡索科矿山的扩建、卡莫阿北区 (包括富矿带) 和卡库拉西区。
研究还将确定III期选厂的最优规模，在2020年9月发布的卡莫阿-卡库拉综合开发方案中曾概述了在380万吨/年规模上进一步扩建。此外，研究还将涵盖英加二期水电站5号涡轮机组升级改造以供应162 兆瓦的可再生水电，以及直接粗铜冶炼厂的建设。
优化工作完成后，卡莫阿铜业将进入更详细的工程设计和施工阶段，以加快III期选厂的扩建。
技工Thara Ngoie (左)和Fanfan Kapepe在卡索科新建的泵站安装水泵。
(从左至右) 卡莫阿铜业的Pontien Kalala、Jan Strydom和马克·法伦在卡库拉矿山视察回填料被泵送到首个采空区。矿山约一半的尾矿将与水泥混合，回填料将被泵送至井下用于采空区回填。
Mwadingusha水电站已全面运行，为卡莫阿-卡库拉I期和II期提供充足的清洁电能；卡莫阿铜业的绿色能源焦点目前已转移到英加二期水电站，将为卡莫阿-卡库拉后续扩展供给额外的清洁电源
Mwadingusha水电站的6台新涡轮机已全面与国家电网并网，每台发电机组可产生约13兆瓦的电力，总发电容量约78兆瓦。
卡莫阿-卡库拉的能源公司同意向Mwadingusha水电站提供维护服务，目前刚果(金)国有电力公司SNEL与艾芬豪矿业能源公司正在草拟维护协议。
Mwadingusha水电站修缮项目最近在卢本巴希举行的2021年刚果(金)能源会议上获颁发"年度最佳公私合作项目"奖项。该会议由刚果(金)商业联会 (Federation des Enterprise du Congo) 主办。
艾芬豪矿业的Louis Watum (左)和SNEL首席执行官Bosco Kayombo (右) 获刚果(金)副总统Eve Bazaïba (中)颁发"年度最佳公私合作项目"奖项。
卡莫阿-卡库拉的能源公司于2021年8月初与SNEL 扩展现有的融资协议，在英加二期水电站进行5号涡轮机组的升级工程。瑞士洛桑的Stucky公司和领先工程集团德国海登海姆的福伊特水电 (Voith Hydro) 从2021年6月起负责界定项目的修缮范围并开展技术性考察。5号涡轮机组升级工程的承包商福伊特曾成功地修复了毗邻英加一期水电站的两台涡轮发电机，该项目由世界银行提供资金。
升级工程的前期工作正在进行中，包括在5号涡轮机组周边范围清除沙石，这将使工程团队能够顺利完成界定项目范围的工作。艾芬豪预计快将就5 号涡轮机组的升级工程提供最新的成本估算，以及工程的时间点和预计完工日期。
预计5号涡轮机组将产生162兆瓦的可再生水电，为卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目及冶炼厂提供长期的稳定电力以配合日后的扩建计划。
卡莫阿铜业继续与各方合作，为员工及矿山运营社区的居民接种COVID-19 新冠疫苗
卡莫阿-卡库拉矿山成功以防疫、防控及降低风险为重点，应对COVID-19疫情。项目进行大规模的检测，加上重点实施防疫措施，确保能够及早发现确诊个案并即时进行隔离和治疗，以降低交叉感染的风险。项目将继续保持高水平的日常风险管理，以防止日后出现确诊个案。
在刚果(金)政府、联合国儿童基金会和其他利益相关方的支持下，卡莫阿铜业已于2021年6月完成第一轮COVID-19 新冠疫苗接种。根据刚果(金)政府的疫苗接种计划，卡莫阿-卡库拉的第二轮COVID-19新冠疫苗接种已于8 月中开始，将为所有卡莫阿铜业的员工、承包商和矿山运营社区居民注射第二剂疫苗。
卡莫阿COVID-19医院的主医疗大楼正在扩建升级且进展顺利，在有需要时继续为患者提供治疗。卡莫阿-卡库拉经验丰富的医生和护士，在世界领先的紧急响应及医护团队的支援下，利用最新技术进行治疗。
随着疫情的变化，卡莫阿医院的医疗队伍将继续审核和更新其疫情防控方案，并确保在应用新医疗技术之前进行审查，以保护员工和社区成员的安全和健康。
一只黄嘴鸢在卡莫阿-卡库拉矿山的上空飞翔。卡莫阿铜业致力于成为负责任的环境监管者，协助保护矿区一带的动植物和生物多样性。
卡莫阿铜业的资深社区关系主任Alice Mboy 在 Muvunda 小学毕业典礼上向学生颁发奖状。这所在Muvunda村新建的学校是卡莫阿铜业的一个社区项目，旨在为卡莫阿-卡库拉附近的家庭提升教育机会。
合资格人
本新闻稿中关于卡莫阿-卡库拉项目开发方案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铜业的项目负责人，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关于矿堆的其它技术数据。
本新闻稿所载的矿堆品位估算值是基于从地表矿堆供给选厂物料的大样以及从最近开展的垂直剖面刻槽取样。刻槽取样的样品大约每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。由于四舍五入，本新闻稿所载数字的相加可能与总和不符。
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、勘查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，正在推进旗下位于南部非洲的三大合资项目：位于刚果民主共和国的卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿和位于南非的普拉特瑞夫 (Platreef) 钯-铑-铂-镍-铜-金矿的大型机械化地下矿山开发工程；以及同样位于刚果民主共和国、久富盛名的基普什 (Kipushi) 锌-铜-锗-银矿的大型重建和改善工程。
卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目于2021年5月实现铜精矿生产，未来将分阶段进行扩建，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，并将成为世界上每单位金属温室气体排放量最低的矿山之一。艾芬豪矿业已作出承诺，卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿将会在电、氢和混合技术的大型地下采矿设备可供商业使用时尽快引入采矿作业，致力实现净零运营温室气体排放 (范围一和二)。同时，艾芬豪正在刚果民主共和国境内、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﹕比尔·特伦曼 (Bill Trenaman)，电话﹕+1.604.331.9834 / 媒体﹕马修·基维尔 (Matthew Keevil)，电话﹕ +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证券法所订议的"前瞻性陈述"或"前瞻性信息"。这些陈述及信息涉及已知和未知的风险、不明朗因素和其它因素，可能导致本公司的实际业绩、表现或成就、项目或行业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。这些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) 关于艾芬豪的生产指导目标预计卡莫阿-卡库拉项目在2021年生产精矿的含铜金属量上调至85,000至95,000吨的陈述；(ii) 关于项目在进行II期开发时，卡库拉选厂扩大至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；(iii) 关于卡库拉矿山预期将会成为全球品位最高的大型铜矿，初始年处理矿石380万吨，预计投产后前5年的平均入选铜品位达6.0%以上、投产后前10年达5.9%的陈述；(iv) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉I 期投产后预计每年将生产约20万吨的铜，而I 期和II 期投产后每年将累计生产高达40万吨铜的陈述；(v) 关于根据独立研究机构排名，一旦项目扩大产能至1,900万吨/年，卡莫阿-卡库拉将成为全球第二大铜矿山，年度最高铜产量将超过80万吨的陈述；(vi) 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；(vii) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉I期选矿流程作出了一些额外的调整，使卡莫阿-卡库拉能够于2021年实现生产指导目标80,000 至 95,000 吨的较高铜产量的陈述；(viii) 关于矿山约一半的尾矿将被泵送回地下的陈述；以及 (ix) 关于英加二期水电站5号涡轮机组升级后将产生162兆瓦的可再生水电，为卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目及冶炼厂提供长期的稳定电力以配合日后扩建计划的陈述。
此外，卡库拉最终可行性研究、卡库拉-卡索科预可行性研究和卡莫阿-卡库拉初步经济评估的所有结果均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、建议开采计划和方法、矿山服务年限、现金流量预测、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) 矿化的选冶特征；(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) 合资企业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；(xvi) 项目范围或设计变更；以及(xvii) 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公司管理层认为合理的假设而作出，但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，而且受本警示声明明确限制。根据相应的证券法，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2021年第二季度的管理层讨论和分析和当前年度信息表中"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。