KOLWEZI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) Co-Chairs Robert Friedland and Yufeng “Miles” Sun are pleased to announce that Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1, 3.8 million-tonne-per-annum (Mtpa) concentrator plant was deemed to have reached commercial production on July 1, 2021, after achieving a milling rate in excess of 80% of design capacity and recoveries very close to 70% for a continuous, seven-day period.
To date, approximately 500,000 tonnes of ore have been milled, including approximately 263,000 tonnes grading 5.7% copper in July. Copper production has steadily increased since hot commissioning began at the end of May. Copper production exceeded 500 tonnes per day toward the end of July, nearing the Phase 1 steady-state design capacity of approximately 550 tonnes per day, or 200,000 tonnes per year. During August the focus of the commissioning team will shift from the front end crushing and milling circuit to balancing and optimizing the flotation and regrind milling areas. This is expected to further improve concentrate grade and recovery.
Copper recoveries have increased from an average of approximately 70% in June to approximately 81% in July. During the last 10 days of July, the concentrator averaged copper recoveries close to 82%, with operations progressively increasing toward the Phase 1 steady-state design copper recoveries of approximately 86%.
To date, approximately 32,700 tonnes of copper concentrate have been loaded at the mine site for delivery to either the Lualaba Copper Smelter near Kolwezi, or to international markets.
A total of 414,000 tonnes grading 5.16% copper was mined in July and comprised 367,000 tonnes grading 5.29% copper from the Kakula Mine, including 85,000 tonnes grading 7.70% copper from the mine’s high-grade centre, and 47,000 tonnes grading 4.13% copper from the Kansoko Mine.
The project’s pre-production surface stockpiles now contain approximately 3.54 million tonnes of high-grade and medium-grade ore at an estimated, blended average of 4.77% copper. Contained copper in the stockpiles at the end of July now totals more than 168,000 tonnes (the current copper price is approximately US$9,700 per tonne).
As the plant ramps up to full Phase 1 design capacity, and the mine toward Phase 2 production capacity, the surface stockpiles are expected to continue to build at a reduced rate.
In July, Kamoa-Kakula’s mining crews set a new record for metres of underground advancement, with 3,876 metres achieved, shattering the previous record of 3,625 metres in April. July’s advancement brings the total underground development to approximately 52.8 kilometres – more than 18.1 kilometres ahead of schedule.
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/582482767/8ff4db2c92
A convoy of transport trucks loaded with Kamoa Copper’s concentrate departing the Kamoa-Kakula Mine on their way to the port of Durban, South Africa.
Pouring Kamoa Copper blister ingots, containing approximately 99% copper, at the local Lualaba Copper Smelter.
Mark Farren, Kamoa Copper’s CEO, commented: “July marks another month of solid performance by our mining and concentrator teams, as we continue to add to the surface stockpiles even as Phase 1 copper production ramps up. We expect to maintain these ore production levels over the upcoming quarters in preparation for the commissioning of the Phase 2 concentrator plant, and the potential strategic stockpiling for the Phase 3 expansion.
“Commissioning of the Phase 1 concentrator is progressing well. We now have milled approximately 500,000 tonnes of ore and gradually have lifted recoveries from an average of approximately 70% in June to approximately 81% in July, with the last 10 days of July averaging close to 82%. We also have seen steady improvement in the production of copper over the last month, with daily production exceeding 500 tonnes several times during July. Both recoveries and copper production are approaching Phase 1 steady-state design parameters.”
“During August, the focus of the commissioning team will shift from the front-end crushing and milling circuit to balancing and optimizing the flotation and regrind milling areas. This is expected to further improve concentrate grade and recovery.”
Ivanhoe’s guidance for contained copper in concentrate expected to be produced by Kamoa-Kakula in 2021 is 80,000 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.
From August 2021 onwards, Kamoa Copper will change the monthly reporting cut-off for concentrator operations from the final day of the month to the 20th day of the month, in order to allow more time for analysis and reconciliations, which will result in truncated monthly production statistics in next month’s news release.
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.
Pre-production ore stockpiles total 3.5 million tonnes grading 4.77% copper
Chart 1: Cumulative tonnes and grade of pre-production ore stockpiles at the Kakula and Kansoko mines – May 2020 to July 2021.
Chart 2: Growth in contained copper in pre-production ore stockpiles at the Kakula and Kansoko mines – May 2020 to July 2021.
Kakula’s main pre-production stockpiles at the northern declines. The blended stockpiles currently contain approximately 1.78 million tonnes grading 5.03% copper.
Drift-and-fill stoping operations are progressing well at the Kakula Mine, with the majority of the ore production coming from stoping operations and the remainder coming from mine development activities. Drift-and-fill stoping is a highly-productive mining method of extracting underground ore, where a single tunnel, known as a stope, is extracted leaving an open void that is subsequently backfilled to allow for the extraction of the neighbouring stope in sequence. The backfill plant, which will mix tailings from the processing plant with cement to produce paste backfill, will begin pumping backfill to the underground operations in August.
Kakula South ore stockpiles containing a combined 1.30 million tonnes grading 4.75% copper (consisting of 613,000 high-grade tonnes @ 6.19% copper and 682,000 medium-grade tonnes @ 3.45% copper).
Kansoko ore stockpiles containing a combined 470,000 tonnes grading 3.83% copper (consisting of 133,000 high-grade tonnes @ 6.04% copper and 337,000 medium-grade tonnes @ 2.95% copper).
Technicians Harrison Simmanza (left) and Peter Chama with new Sandvik ore haul trucks and scooptrams that will be used to accelerate underground mining operations at the Kakula and Kansoko mines.
Rodrigue Uzan inside one of the two ball mills in the Phase 1 concentrator plant.
Figure 1: Underground development completed at Kakula Mine to July 30, 2021 (in black).
Ilunga Banza Siri (left) and Tegwy Agi, Truck Operators, at Kakula’s underground shotcrete loading bay.
Kaimba Mwanza (left), Equipment Operator, and Jacques Muyumba, Technical Officer with AEL Mining Services, loading emulsion into one of the Normet Charmec explosives-charging machines.
C4 (hot commissioning) of the project’s first phase 3.8-Mtpa concentrator advancing toward steady-state operations
The concentrator plant is fully operational with hot commissioning activities advancing toward design parameters. The current focus is on balancing the flotation circuit to target design recovery and concentrate grade. Main areas of focus include the roughers, scavengers, cleaners, re-cleaners and regrind mill.
The first truckloads of concentrate were delivered to a local smelter on June 1, 2021, and the first bagged concentrate dispatched for export on July 17, 2021. Concentrate dispatch now is occurring daily as logistics operations ramp-up to steady-state in terms of truck arrivals and loading, sampling and customs clearing processes. To date, approximately 32,700 dry metric tonnes of concentrate have been loaded for dispatch from the mine, and efforts are underway to minimize inventory levels of copper concentrates at the mine.
The concentrator plant currently is being operated and maintained by the Kamoa Copper operations and engineering teams, with assistance from the project commissioning engineers.
Construction of the backfill plant is effectively complete with C2 and C3 activities well advanced. Hot commissioning began in late July, and the first paste-backfill is expected to be delivered to the underground mining areas in August. The backfill plant will be used to mix tailings from the processing plant with cement to produce paste backfill. This 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.
Phase 2overall project 35% complete, with civil works approximately 90% complete and most areas handed over to the Steel, Mechanical, Piping and Plate (SMPP) contractor; on-site steel pre-fabrication and erection is well underway
Construction of the second 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant (Phase 2) is progressing well, with the overall project 35% complete; engineering and procurement activities are both well over 80% complete. Civil handover (or partial handover) to the SMPP contractor has been achieved in almost all areas and the current focus is on the erection of structural steel. Both civil works and structural steel erection are tracking slightly ahead of schedule.
Deliveries of structural steel, platework and mechanical equipment continue daily with over 190 truckloads already delivered to site and another 75 en-route. Manufacturing of all long-lead items of equipment is nearing completion with several items already delivered to site. The final major contract for electrical, control and instrumentation (EC&I) supply and installation, has been awarded. The Phase 2 concentrator remains on track for completion in Q3 2022.
Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1 concentrator plant in full operation and the adjacent, parallel Phase 2 concentrator plant under construction.
Trucks in Kamoa-Kakula’s inbound parking area loaded with Phase 2 construction materials and new mining equipment.
Bags of Kamoa Copper’s concentrate being loaded with the spreader-beam and crane.
Trucks loaded with sealed bags of high-grade copper concentrate awaiting customs clearance before beginning their journey to international markets, via the port of Durban.
Kamoa-Kakula’s new outbound truck parking lot, which will hold trucks carrying bags of high-grade copper concentrate while they await customs clearance (typically a five-day process).
Leonine Kashala Tshikuta, Forklift Operator, in the concentrate loading plant.
A 3D illustration of Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 2, 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant. The picture below shows the current construction progress.
A 3D illustration of the new high-pressure grinding rolls and conveyor system for Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 2, 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant. The picture below shows the current construction progress.
Study work underway 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 inform 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 plans to upgrade 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.
Five of six new turbines at the Mwadingusha hydropower plant now operational and generating clean electricity
Five of the 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. The completion and commissioning of the hydropower plant’s remaining one generating unit, is in progress. The synchronization of this last unit to the grid is expected in August 2021.
In April 2021, Kamoa-Kakula’s Energy company signed a MoU with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s state-owned power company (SNEL) to upgrade Turbine 5 at the Inga II hydropower complex. An addendum to the existing Financing Agreement between SNEL and Kamoa-Kakula’s Energy company is being finalized for signature. Since June 2021, rehabilitation scoping works and technical visits have been conducted by Stucky of Stucky Ltd., of Renens, Switzerland, the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) company. Turbine 5 is expected to produce 162 MW of renewable hydropower, providing the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex and associated smelter with abundant, sustainable electricity for future expansions.
The refurbished Mwadingusha hydropower dam, providing the water to generate clean electricity for Kamoa-Kakula.
Inside the Mwadingusha powerhouse, with the six new generating units.
Kamoa Copper partnership with the Democratic Republic of Congo government, UNICEF and other stakeholders 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 on June 24, 2021. In conjunction with the DRC government’s extended program of vaccinations, the second round of COVID-19 vaccinations at Kamoa-Kakula is expected to begin in mid-August. The vaccine will be 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.
Excellent progress is being made on the new primary healthcare wing of the Kamoa hospital.
Construction crew putting the finishing touches on a new community church at the local village of Kapondo, another Kamoa-Kakula Livelihoods initiative. (L-R) Matondo Mavungu, Ilunga Mwadidnvita, Seraphin Mwinyi Rashid, Martin Nawej Mwadatshilabu, Victor Tshamala Kabonda, and Donacien Makwiji.
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 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 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 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 wholly-owned 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 the balance of 2021 is 80,000 to 95,000 tonnes; (ii) statements regarding the backfill plant, which will mix tailings from the processing plant with cement to produce paste backfill, will begin pumping backfill to the underground operations in July and first paste delivered to the underground stopes in August; (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 operations and 5.9% copper over the initial 10 years of operations; (v) 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; (vi) 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; (vii) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula will be among the world's lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of copper produced; (viii) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula Phase 2 expansion civil works and structural steel erection tracking ahead of schedule; (ix) statements regarding approximately one half of the mine’s tailings will be sent back underground; (x) (x) 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; (xi) statements regarding surface stockpiles are expected to continue to build at a reduced rate; and (xii) statements regarding the focus of the commissioning team during August will shift from the front end crushing and milling circuit to balancing and optimizing the flotation and regrind milling areas, which is expected to further improve concentrate grade and recovery.
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 Q1 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) 欣然宣布，卡莫阿-卡库拉(Kamoa-Kakula) I期年处理矿石380万吨的选厂连续7 天超过设计产能的80%，回收率接近70%，已于2021年7月1日正式实现商业生产。
迄今为止，选厂已经处理50万吨矿石，包括将近26.3万吨铜品位5.47%的矿石。自5月底开展带料试车以来，铜产量一直稳步上升。截至7月底，平均铜产量每天超过500吨的水平，接近 I 期日均约550吨或年均20万吨的设计稳态产能。8月份，试车团队的重点将从前端破碎和磨矿流程转移到平衡和优化浮选和再磨工段，有望进一步提高精矿品位和回收率。铜回收率从6月份平均约70%上升至7月份约81%。在7月的最后10日，选厂平均达到接近82%的铜回收率，持续提升以实现 I 期设计稳态产能的铜回收率约86%。迄今为止，约3.27万吨铜精矿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。
7月份采出的41.4万吨矿石，铜品位5.16%，包括在卡库拉(Kakula) 矿山采出的36.7万吨矿石，铜品位5.29% (其中在矿床高品位中心采出8.5万吨矿石，铜品位高达7.70%) ，以及在卡索科(Kansoko) 矿山采出的4.7万吨矿石，铜品位4.13%。
项目投产前地表堆场已储备了约350万吨高品位和中品位矿石，平均铜品位约4.77%。截至7月底，矿堆所含铜金属量累计已超过16.8万吨(目前的铜价约9700美元/吨)。
随着选厂爬坡至I期的设计总产能以及矿山逐步推进至II期产能，预计地表堆场的矿石将继续缓慢增长。
卡莫阿-卡库拉7月份掘进了3,876米，创下全新纪录，打破4月份掘进3,625米的纪录。地下开拓工程至今完成约52.8公里，超越计划约18.1公里。
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/582482767/8ff4db2c92
粗铜运输车队，从卡莫阿-卡库拉矿山前往南非德班港。
卢阿拉巴冶炼厂浇注99%粗铜锭
卡莫阿铜业首席执行官马克·法伦(Mark Farren) 表示﹕“采矿和选矿团队在7月份持续出色的表现，即使在I期铜产量爬坡的情况下，地表矿堆量仍然得以增加。我们预计随后季度将维持矿石产量，为II期选厂的投产以及III期扩建可能需要的战略性堆场作好准备。”
“I期选厂的投产进展顺利，选厂已处理约50万吨矿石。回收率从6月份平均约70%逐步提升至7月份约81%，并于7月的最后10日接近约82%。7月的铜产量稳步上升，日均产量多次超过500吨。回收率和铜产量都已逐步迈向设计的稳态产能。”
根据艾芬豪的生产指导目标，预计卡莫阿-卡库拉项目在2021年生产精矿含铜金属80,000至95,000吨。所有数字均以100% 项目为基础。报告的精矿含铜金属量未考虑冶炼协议中的损失或扣减。
从2021年8月起，卡库拉铜矿将月度运营报告的截止日期从当月的最后一天更改为当月的第20天，以便有更多的时间进行分析和对账。这将导致下个月新闻发布中的生产统计数据出现缩减的状况。
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，估算投产后前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。
投产前地表矿堆已储备矿石350万吨，铜品位4.77%
图表1﹕2020年5月至2021年7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7月期间卡库拉和卡索科矿山的投产前矿堆铜金属量增长
卡库拉北斜坡道投产前矿堆，配矿堆场已储备矿石约178万吨，铜品位5.03%。
卡库拉矿区的进路充填采矿作业进展顺利，开采的矿石大部分来自回采作业，其余来自掘进。进路充填是一种高效的地下采矿方法，完成一条单一巷道(称为采场) 的采矿后，进行采空区回填，进而可以依次开采相邻的采场。回填厂将尾矿与水泥混合制造回填膏体，并将于8月开始将回填料泵回井下开展充填作业。
卡库拉南斜坡道的矿石堆场共储备约130万吨矿石，铜品位4.75% (其中包含61.3万吨高品位矿石，铜品位6.19%；以及68.2万吨中品位矿石，铜品位3.45%)。
卡索科斜坡道的矿石堆场共储备47万吨矿石，铜品位3.83% (其中包含13.3万吨高品位矿石，铜品位6.04%；以及33.7万吨中品位矿石，铜品位2.95%)。
技工Harrison Simmanza (左) 和Peter Chama 在新的Sandvik卡车和铲运车前，这些机器将会用于加快卡库拉和卡索科矿山的地下开采作业。
Rodrigue Uzan在I期选厂球磨机前。
图1﹕截至2021年7月30日在卡库拉矿山已完成的地下开拓工程(黑色)。
卡车操作员 Ilunga Banza Siri (左) 和Tegwy Agi 在卡库拉地下的喷浆混凝土装卸区。
AEL Mining Services 的设备操作员Kaimba Mwanza (左) 和技工主任Jacques Muyumba 对一台Normet Charmec 装药机加注药剂。
I期380万吨/年选厂的第4阶段带料试车正迈进稳产作业
选厂已全面投产，且带料试车进展顺利，即将达到设计产能。目前的重点是调试浮选系统以达到设计回收率和精矿品位，主要包括粗选机、扫选机、清选机、二度清选机和磨机。
第一批铜精矿已于2021年6 月1 日送达当地冶炼厂，而首批袋装精矿已于2021年7月17日运送出口，且继续开展日常的精矿交付。迄今为止，已从矿山运出超过32.7万吨铜精矿。
选厂目前由卡莫阿铜业的现场和工程团队负责操作和维护，并由项目试车工程师从旁协助。
回填厂建设竣工，C2 (第二阶段) 和C3 (第三阶段) 的试车工作进展顺利。带料试车于7月底开始进行，并将于8月份向井下采场交付第一批回填膏体。
回填厂将尾矿与水泥混合制造回填膏体。回填料将被泵至井下用于采空区回填。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。
II期项目整体已完成35%，土木工程已完成约90%，大多数厂区已移交至SMPP (钢材、机械、管道和钣金) 承包商；现场钢材预制和安装进展顺利
II期380万吨/年选厂施工进展顺利，项目整体已完成35%；工程设计和采购工作已完成超过80%。大多数厂区已移交(或部份移交) 至SMPP承包商，目前正重点完成钢结构的安装。土木工程和钢结构的安装都略微超越既定目标。
钢结构、钣金和机械设备的日常交付继续进行，目前超过190辆装载设备的卡车已抵达现场，另外75 辆卡车在运送途中。所有长周期设备的制造接近完工，部分设备已运抵现场。电器、控制和仪表供应和安装的主要合同已达成协议。
II期选厂将按计划于2022年第三季度完成。
卡莫阿-卡库拉I期选厂全面投产，毗邻的II期选厂正在建设。
装载着II期建筑材料和新开采设备的卡车停泊在卡莫阿-卡库拉的入站停车厂。
卡莫阿铜业的袋装精矿装载。
装载着高品位铜精矿的车队在等待清关，将由德班港口发往国际市场。
卡莫阿-卡库拉新的出站停车厂
叉车操作员Leonine Kashala Tshikuta在精矿装载车间。
卡莫阿-卡库拉II 期380万/吨年选厂的三维示意图，下图显示了当前的施工进度。
卡莫阿-卡库拉II 期380万/吨年选厂的全新高压辊磨机和输送系统的三维示意图，下图显示了当前的施工进度。
正开展研究以加快III期采选扩建
正开展研究以加快III期采选扩建，其中包括优化工作以界定卡莫阿-卡库拉项目各个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期选厂的最合适规模，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/年规模上进一步扩大。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设计和工程施工阶段，以加快III期选厂的扩建。
Mwadingusha水电站的6台新涡轮机中的5台现已运行，以提供清洁的电能
Mwadingusha水电站的6台新涡轮机中的5台已与国家电网并网，每台发电机组可产生约13兆瓦的电力。水电站余下一台发电机组快将完工及进行试车，预计将于2021年8月与国家电网并网。
卡莫阿-卡库拉的能源公司于2021年4月份与刚果(金)国家电力公司SNEL签署英加二期水电站5号涡轮机组升级改造的谅解备忘录。SNEL与卡莫阿-卡库拉的能源公司已经商定现有融资协议的一个附件，即将签字。项目的EPCM (工程、采购、建设和管理) 公司Stucky 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。
Mwadingusha 水电站升级后，为卡莫阿-卡库拉提供清洁的水电。
Mwadingusha水电站的6台新涡轮机。
卡莫阿铜业与刚果(金)政府、联合国儿童基金会和其他利益相关方合作，继续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24日完成第一轮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新冠疫苗接种预计将于8 月中开始，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，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。
卡莫阿医院新建的主医疗大楼施工进展顺利。
建筑工人在当地的Kapondo 村一座新建的社区教堂开展收尾工作。该教堂是卡莫阿-卡库拉民生计划的另一项举措。(从左至右) Matondo Mavungu、Ilunga Mwadidnvita、Seraphin Mwinyi Rashid、Martin Nawej Mwadatshilabu、Victor Tshamala Kabonda 和Donacien Makwiji。
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，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其全资拥有的、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) 关于根据艾芬豪的生产指导目标，预计卡莫阿-卡库拉项目在2021年剩余时间生产精矿的含铜金属量为80,000至95,000吨的陈述；(ii) 关于回填厂将尾矿与水泥混合制造回填膏体，并将于7月开始将回填料泵回井下作业以及于8月份交付第一批回填膏体到井下采场的陈述；(iii) 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；(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；(v) 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(vi) 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；(vii) 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；(viii) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉II期扩建的土木工程和钢结构安装超越既定目标的陈述；(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；以及(xi) 关于地表堆场的矿石预计将以较低的速度继续增长的陈述。
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2020年第一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。