KOLWEZI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) Co-Chairs Robert Friedland and Yufeng “Miles” Sun are pleased to announce that hot commissioning and ramp-up of Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1, 3.8 million-tonne-per-annum (Mtpa) concentrator plant is progressing well and approaching nameplate steady-state-design performance.
During August, the plant achieved an average milling rate of more than 9,000 tonnes per day at an average feed grade of more than 6.0% copper. On August 29, the Phase 1 concentrator plant produced in excess of 600 tonnes of copper in filtered concentrate, which is the plant’s steady-state-design daily production rate.
During August, the concentrator plant produced concentrate containing 14,815 tonnes of copper. As of August 31, a total of 36,712 tonnes of copper had been produced year-to-date for delivery to either the Lualaba Copper Smelter near Kolwezi, or to international markets. All concentrate produced to date has been loaded onto trucks (either bulk for the Lualaba Smelter or in bags for international markets) and the concentrate backlog at the mine site has been cleared.
Chart 1: Monthly tonnes of copper produced May 2021 to August 2021.
Steve Amos, Kamoa Copper’s Head of Projects, commented: “The hot commissioning and ramp-up of the Phase 1 concentrator plant is going very well, with no significant issues encountered to date. Fast tracking of an additional concentrate filter will enable us to produce more concentrate and take advantage of the exceptional ore grades coming from the Kakula Mine, as well as any additional milling throughput in excess of design capacity.A third concentrate filter is being procured and will be incorporated into the Phase 2 plant.”
Copper recoveries improved to an average of 83% during August, with recoveries in excess of 86% achieved on multiple occasions. The Phase 1, steady-state-design copper recovery is approximately 86%.
Chart 2: Cumulative tonnes of copper produced May 2021 to August 2021.
Ivanhoe’s production guidance for contained copper in concentrate at 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. The guidance assumes ramp-up from first production continues in line with published technical disclosures.
Daily concentrate grades in excess of the steady-state-design grade of approximately 57% copper also have been achieved on several occasions, with the monthly average exceeding 48% copper. The current focus of the commissioning team is on balancing and optimizing the flotation and regrind milling areas. This work is expected to further improve the consistency of concentrate grade and copper recoveries.
Commissioning and operation of the concentrator plant’s regrind mills is well underway. The regrind mills are the final pieces of equipment to be commissioned in the Phase 1 concentrator.
Kamoa-Kakula is fast tracking the installation of an additional concentrate filter, which already has been delivered to the mine site, 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 installed by the end of 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/597748095/3e0676cb41
In early August, Ben Munanga, Kamoa Copper’s Chairman (right), welcomed Princess Adèle Kayinda Mahina, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of Portfolio, to the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project. The DRC government’s 20% interest in the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project is managed by the Portfolio Ministry.
Princess Adèle Kayinda Mahina (left) and Marna Cloete, Ivanhoe’s President and CFO, inside a scooptram bucket during an underground visit of the Kakula Mine.
Pouring Kamoa Copper blister ingots, containing approximately 99% copper, at the Lualaba Copper Smelter near Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
An electronic chip affixed to a Kamoa Copper blister copper ingot for tracking and security.
Phase 2 overall project 44% complete, with civil works effectively complete and structural steel, mechanical, piping and platework (SMPP) erection and installation well underway
Construction of the second 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant (Phase 2) is progressing well, with the overall project 44% complete; engineering and procurement activities are nearing completion. Civil construction works also is nearing completion with the focus now on erection of structural steel and the installation of platework and equipment. The primary and secondary ball mill discharge sumps, as well as the mill base plates, are being installed; mill installation is on the critical path. SMPP construction is on-going in all areas.
Deliveries of structural steel, platework and mechanical equipment continue daily with more than 321 truckloads already delivered to site and another 126 en-route. Manufacturing of all long-lead items of equipment now is complete with several items already delivered to site and the remainder en-route. 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.
Lifting the Phase 2 flotation conditioning tank into position.
The Phase 2 concentrator plant under construction in the foreground, with the operating Phase 1 concentrator plant in the background.
The side-by-side Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrator plants.
Chen Hong Tao (left) and Wang Pengfei installing the Phase 2 flotation base plates.
Shells for the Phase 2 ball mills arriving at Kamoa-Kakula.
Installation of the second Larox concentrate filter press, manufactured by Outotec, of Finland.
Mechanic Gretta Lusa Ngoie repairing a wheel at the Kakula Mine.
Mining continues ahead of schedule, adding to the surface ore stockpiles
An alignment of reporting dates for the mines and the concentrator has resulted in a truncated reporting period this month, from August 1 to 20. A total of 220,000 tonnes grading 6.03% copper was mined during this shortened period, and comprised 204,000 tonnes grading 6.16% copper from the Kakula Mine, including 85,000 tonnes grading 7.55% copper from the mine’s high-grade centre, and 16,000 tonnes grading 4.31% copper from the Kansoko Mine. For the month-long period from July 21 to August 20, 378,000 tonnes was mined grading 5.82% copper, a portion of which was included in last month’s total.
The project’s surface stockpiles now contain approximately 3.59 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 August now totals more than 171,000 tonnes (the current copper price is approximately US$9,400 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.
Surface ore stockpiles total 3.59 million tonnes grading 4.77% copper
Chart 3: Cumulative tonnes and grade of ore stockpiles at the Kakula and Kansoko mines – May 2020 to August 2021.
Chart 4: Growth in contained copper in ore stockpiles at the Kakula and Kansoko mines – May 2020 to August 2021.
Aerial view of the Kakula Mine, concentrator plant and accommodations with the main stockpiles at Kakula’s northern declines (in red circle). The blended stockpiles currently contain approximately 1.76 million tonnes grading 5.03% copper.
Aerial view of the Kakula south decline and ore stockpiles containing a combined 1.34 million tonnes grading 4.77% copper (consisting of 663,000 high-grade tonnes @ 6.14% copper and 682,000 medium-grade tonnes @ 3.44% copper).
Aerial view of the Kansoko Mine and ore stockpiles containing a combined 485,000 tonnes grading 3.83% copper (consisting of 142,000 high-grade tonnes @ 5.88% copper and 343,000 medium-grade tonnes @ 2.98% copper).
Figure 1: Underground development completed at Kakula Mine to August 30, 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.
Phase 2 high-pressure-grinding-rolls (HPGR) tower and green feed bin (in red circle) installed.
Hot commissioning of the backfill plant is proceeding well, with the first paste backfill 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.
Kamoa Copper’s commissioning team at the backfill plant now delivering approximately 50% of the tailings to mined out areas in the Kakula Mine.
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.
All six new turbines at the Mwadingusha hydropower plant now operational and generating clean electricity
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.
Mwadingusha powerhouse with all six generating units fully assembled and generating 78 MW of clean, sustainable electricity.
In early August, Kamoa-Kakula’s Energy company announced that it had signed an extension of the existing financing agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s state-owned power company 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, 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.
Engineers from Kamoa-Kakula’s Energy company, SNEL, Stucky, Voith and Zijin Mining conducting an inspection of the Inga II hydropower complex. The Congo River, Inga dam, Inga I turbines and the channel feeding water to the Inga II turbines, are circled in red.
The Inga II electrical substation and transmission lines.
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 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 commenced 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.
Danielle Morton, Kamoa Copper Reliability Engineer, holding her vaccination certificate after receiving her second vaccination dose.
Celestin Kazeu Kushinga at the Kamoa-Kakula demonstration garden, a key part of Kamoa Copper’s program to promote sustainable development.
Mbangu Sangombe, one of the owners of the Katayi Community banana plantation.
Princess Adèle Kayinda Mahina (centre), Minister of Portfolio, visiting a local primary school that is one of Kamoa Copper’s community initiatives to increase education opportunities for families living near the Kamoa-Kakula Project.
New community fish ponds constructed near the Kansoko Mine. Kamoa Copper recently initiated a catfish breeding program to further enhance food security and farming capacity in the host communities.
Drilling rig in operation on Ivanhoe’s Western Foreland exploration licences near the Kamoa-Kakula Project.
Ivanhoe’s Western Foreland, green horizons, blue sky.
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 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 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 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 Kamoa-Kakula Phase 2 expansion civil works and structural steel erection tracking ahead of schedule; (viii) statements regarding approximately one half of the mine’s tailings will be sent back underground; (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; and (x) statements regarding 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.
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.
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380万吨选厂的带料试车和爬坡进展顺利，即将达到设计稳态产能。
8月份，选厂日平均处理矿石9,000吨以上，平均入选铜品位超过6.0%。8月29日当天，I期选厂生产了600多吨铜精矿，达到选厂设计稳态产能。
选厂8月份生产的精矿含有 14,815 吨的铜。截至 8 月 31 日，共生产了 36,712 吨铜，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。迄今为止生产的所有精矿都已经清理库存，全部运至卢阿拉巴冶炼厂或出口到国际市场。
图表1﹕2021年5月至2021年8月期间月度铜矿石量。
卡莫阿铜业项目负责人史蒂夫·阿莫斯(Steve Amos)评论说﹕“I期选厂的带料试车和产量爬坡进展十分顺利，至今并没有出现任何重大问题。新增的精矿过滤机将加快投产，将使我们能够充分利用来自卡库拉矿山的超高品位矿石以及超越设计产能的任何额外矿石，以提高精矿产量。我们正在采购第三台精矿过滤机，将安装到II期选厂中。”
8月份的平均铜回收率上升至83%，其中多次达到86%以上。I期选厂设计稳产的铜回收率约86%。
图表2﹕2021年5月至2021年8月期间累计铜产量。
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。上述数字均以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。指导目标假设项目投产后将按技术性坡露持续实现产量爬坡。
日均精矿品位已多次超越57%的设计指标，月度平均铜品位超过48%。试车团队正重点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。
选厂的再磨机正进行试车和运行，是I期选厂最后进行试车的设备。
卡莫阿-卡库拉项目正加快进行新增精矿过滤机的安装，过滤机已运抵矿场，安装完成后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。预计于2021年10月底前完成新增精矿过滤机的安装，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/597748095/3e0676cb41
卡莫阿铜业董事长本·穆南加 (Ben Munanga) 于8月初欢迎刚果民主共和国资产管理部部长 Adèle Kayinda Mahina访问卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目。刚果(金)政府持有卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目的 20% 权益由资产管理部负责管理。
Adèle Kayinda Mahina 部长(左) 与艾芬豪总裁兼首席财务官玛娜·科洛特 (Marna Cloete) 在卡库拉矿山进行地下考察。
在位于刚果(金)科卢韦齐近郊的卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂浇注99%粗铜锭。
卡莫阿铜业的粗铜锭配以电子芯片，用于追踪和安保。
II期项目整体已完成44%，土木工程已完工，SMPP (钢材、机械、管道和钣金) 的安装进展顺利
II期380万吨/年选厂施工进展顺利，项目整体已完成44%；工程设计和采购工作已接近完成。土木工程也接近完工，目前正重点推进钢结构以及钣金和设备的安装。主磨机和二段球磨机的排料槽以及磨机底板的安装正在进行中；磨机的安装已进入关键的阶段。所有工段正进行 SMPP 的施工。
钢结构、钣金和机械设备的日常交付继续进行，超过321辆装载设备的卡车已抵达现场，另外126辆卡车在运送途中。所有长周期设备已制造完成，部分设备已运抵现场，余下设备在运送途中。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。
II期浮选搅拌槽吊装
图片前方为建设中的 II 期选厂，背景为正在运行的 I 期选厂。
并排布置的 I 期和 II 期浮选车间。
陈红涛 (左) 和王鹏飞 正在安装II期浮选底板。
II期球磨机外壳到达卡莫阿-卡库拉现场
安装第二台芬兰Outotec公司生产的Larox压滤机
技工 Gretta Lusa Ngoie 在卡库拉矿山修理车轮。
采矿作业持续超计划推进，扩大地表堆矿
项目将矿山和选厂的报告日协调一致，因而本月的报告期缩短为 8 月 1 日至 20 日，期间采出 22万吨矿石，铜品位 6.03%，包括在卡库拉 (Kakula) 矿山采出的20.4万吨矿石，铜品位6.16% (其中在矿床高品位中心采出8.5万吨矿石，铜品位高达7.55%) ，以及在卡索科(Kansoko) 矿山采出的1.6万吨矿石，铜品位4.31%。在 7 月 21 日至 8 月 20 日的一个月期间，共采出 37.8万吨矿石，铜品位 5.82%，其中部分已计入上月总量。
项目地表堆场已储备了约359万吨高品位和中品位矿石，平均铜品位约4.77%。截至7月底，地表堆场所含铜金属量累计已超过17.1万吨 (目前的铜价约9,300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减速增长。
地表矿堆已储备359万吨矿石，铜品位4.77%
图表3﹕2020年5月至2021年8月期间卡库拉和卡索科矿山累计堆存矿石量和品位
图表4﹕2020年5月至2021年8月期间卡库拉和卡索科矿山的矿堆铜金属量增长
卡库拉矿山的鸟瞰图以及选厂和营地位置，红圈显示卡库拉北斜坡道的主堆场。配矿堆场已储备矿石约176万吨，铜品位5.03%。
卡库拉南斜坡道和矿石堆场的鸟瞰图，共储备约134万吨矿石，铜品位4.77% (其中包含 66.3万吨高品位矿石，铜品位6.14%；以及68.2万吨中品位矿石，铜品位3.44%)。
卡索科矿山和矿石堆场的鸟瞰图，共储备约48.5万吨矿石，铜品位3.83% (其中包含 14.2万吨高品位矿石，铜品位5.88%；以及34.3万吨中品位矿石，铜品位2.98%)。
图1﹕截至2021年8月30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，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。
回填厂的带料试车工作进展顺利， 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。
I期回填厂投产，选厂约50%的尾矿已运送到卡库拉矿山用于采空区回填。
卡莫阿铜业的试车团队在回填厂前。
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台新涡轮机现已全面运行，提供清洁的电能
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。
Mwadingusha水电站的6台新涡轮机已完成组装，产生78兆瓦的稳定、清洁电能。
卡莫阿-卡库拉的能源公司于8月初宣布与刚果(金)的国有电力公司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。项目的EPCM (工程、采购、建设和管理) 公司瑞士洛桑的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。
卡莫阿-卡库拉能源公司、SNEL、Stucky、福伊特和紫金矿业的工程师在英加二期水电站进行检查。红圈显示刚果河、英加水坝、英加一期的涡轮机组，以及向英加二期涡轮机供水的管道。
英加二期的变电站和输电线路。
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。
卡莫阿铜业工程师Danielle Morton在接种第二剂后获发疫苗证书。
Celestin Kazeu Kushinga 在卡莫阿-卡库拉的示范园，这是卡莫阿促进可持续发展计划的关键部分。
Katayi 社区香蕉种植园的业主之一Mbangu Sangombe。
资产管理部部长 Adèle Kayinda Mahina (中) 参观当地小学，这是卡莫阿铜业的社区举措之一，旨在为居住在卡莫阿-卡库拉项目附近的社区家庭提高教育机会。
在卡索科矿山附近新建的社区鱼塘。卡莫阿铜业最近开展了一项鲶鱼繁殖计划，以进一步加强运营社区的食品安全和农作物生产。
位于卡莫阿-卡库拉项目附近的艾芬豪西部前沿 (Western Foreland) 钻探现场。
艾芬豪西部前沿探矿权，天空蔚蓝、绿野广袤。
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II期扩建的土木工程和钢结构安装超越既定目标的陈述；(viii) 关于矿山约一半的尾矿将被泵送回地下的陈述；(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；以及 (x) 关于随着选厂爬坡至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。