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 now is fully operational. First truckloads of copper concentrate were delivered to a local smelter on June 1, 2021, with concentrate dispatch continuing daily. To date, more than 10,500 dry metric tonnes of concentrate have been delivered to the local smelter, and first blister copper ingots have been received. Kamoa-Kakula’s plant commissioning is well advanced, and preparation for final performance tests is underway.
First ore was fed into the concentrator plant on May 20 and the start of copper concentrate production occurred on May 25, several months ahead of schedule. As of June 30, 313,000 tonnes of ore grading 4.85% copper had been conveyed to the run-of-mine (ROM) stockpile. The team currently is preparing for the final plant performance tests, which will conclude the C4 (or “hot”) commissioning activities. Feed grades are expected to increase during the month of July.
On June 9, Ivanhoe Mines announced that Kamoa Copper SA had signed copper concentrate and blister copper off-take agreements, on competitive arm's-length commercial terms, with CITIC Metal (HK) Limited (CITIC Metal) and Gold Mountains (H.K.) International Mining Company Limited, a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group, for 50% each of the copper products from Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1 production. The company also secured all necessary authorizations to commence exports of copper products from the Kamoa-Kakula mine to international markets.
A total of 338,000 tonnes grading 4.59% copper was mined in June and comprised 295,000 tonnes grading 4.76% copper from the Kakula Mine, including 66,200 tonnes grading 7.71% copper from the mine’s high-grade centre, and 43,000 tonnes grading 3.43% copper from the Kansoko Mine.
Overall copper grades were slightly lower than the previous month, in part due to the requirement to feed lower-grade material directly to the plant during commissioning.
The project’s pre-production surface stockpiles now contain approximately 3.4 million tonnes of high-grade and medium-grade ore at an estimated, blended average of 4.78% copper. Contained copper in the stockpiles at the end of May now totals more than 162,000 tonnes (the current copper price is approximately US$9,430 per tonne).
As the plant ramps up to full Phase 1 design capacity, and the mine towards Phase 2 production capacity, the surface stockpiles are expected to continue to build at a reduced rate.
Watch a new video showcasing the start of production at Kamoa-Kakula: https://vimeo.com/570976669/1306ccf2e1
Surveyor Celestin Kayemba Kayombo, a member of the construction team building Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 2 concentrator plant.
(L-R) Control room supervisors Herribert Nyange, Jean-Claude Katanga and Jack Tambwe standing in front of Kamoa-Kakula's Phase 1 concentrator plant.
First concentrate transport to Lualaba Copper Smelters (LCS) in Kolwezi on June 1, 2021. (L-R) Yang Wei, CEO, LCS; Rochelle de Villiers, CFO, Kamoa Copper SA; and Dong Ming, Deputy General Manager, LCS.
Foundations for the Phase 2 plant module are progressing well, with civil works and structural steel construction ahead of schedule for Q3 2022 start-up.
Mark Farren, Kamoa Copper’s CEO, remarked: “The past month was dedicated to the Phase 1 plant commissioning, after celebrating Kamoa’s first concentrate production on May 25. The team has moved on steadily with C4 plant commissioning. This is expected to take approximately four months, with incremental improvements in production expected as the plant is fully ramped up to design capacity. It was a very encouraging operational performance in June. We expect to achieve copper production for the remainder of the year in line with guidance, and solid progress also is being made on the Phase 2 concentrator plant construction, which is still tracking ahead of schedule.”
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. The figures are on a 100%-project basis and metal reported in concentrate is prior to refining losses or deductions associated with smelter terms.
Lorraine Nkulu Ngoie, Control Room Supervisor.
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, early average feed grade of more than 6.0% copper, ramping up to 7.6 Mtpa in Q3 2022.
Phase 1 is expected to produce approximately 200,000 tonnes of copper per year, and phases 1 and 2 are jointly forecast to produce approximately 400,000 tonnes of copper annually. 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.
Stockpiled ore being loaded into the Bulk Reclaim Tip. The run-of-mine stockpile is in the upper right corner.
Ivanhoe and its partner Zijin are exploring the acceleration of the Kamoa-Kakula Phase 3 concentrator expansion from 7.6 Mtpa to 11.4 Mtpa, which may be fed from expanded mining operations at Kansoko, or new mining areas at Kamoa North (including the Bonanza Zone) and Kakula West.
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.
Kamoa-Kakula off-take agreements signed for Phase 1 blister copper and copper concentrate; Kamoa Copper fully authorized to commence exports to international markets
On June 9, 2021, Ivanhoe Mines announced that Kamoa Copper SA had signed off-take agreements with CITIC Metal (HK) Limited (CITIC Metal) and Gold Mountains (H.K.) International Mining Company Limited, a subsidiary of Zijin Mining, for 50% each of the copper products from Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1 production. The off-take agreements are evergreen for the production volumes from Phase 1, including copper concentrate and blister copper resulting from processing of copper concentrates at the Lualaba Copper Smelter.
The off-take agreements contain standard, international commercial terms, including copper payables and treatment and refining charges based on the annual benchmark across the copper industry. The ultra-high-grade, clean concentrate produced by Kamoa-Kakula is expected to contain approximately 57% copper and exceptionally low levels of impurities.
Bags of Kamoa-Kakula extremely high-grade, clean copper concentrate ready for export to international markets.
Marna Cloete, Ivanhoe Mines’ President and CFO, commented: “We are extremely pleased to have agreements with our partners CITIC Metal and Zijin at internationally-competitive terms, and to have recently secured a long-term tolling agreement with the local Lualaba Copper Smelter in keeping with our commitment to in-country beneficiation that includes Kamoa Copper’s longer-term plan to construct its own direct-to-blister smelter.
We also have secured all necessary authorizations to commence export of clean, hydro-electricity-produced copper products from the Kamoa-Kakula mine to meet growing demand for the electrification of the world economy.”
CITIC Metal and Zijin will purchase the copper concentrate at the Kakula Mine and the blister copper at the Lualaba Copper Smelter on a free-carrier basis, meaning the buyers will be responsible for arranging freight and shipment to the final destination, initially via the port of Durban, South Africa.
Dodo Mbay, Head of Processing, with a handful of copper concentrate inside the Kamoa-Kakula concentrator storage building.
Kakula is expected to produce an extremely high-grade, clean copper concentrate (containing over 57% copper). Metallurgical test work indicates that the Kakula concentrates contain extremely low arsenic levels by world standards – approximately 0.01%.
Kamoa Copper also is evaluating the construction of a smelting complex to produce blister and anode copper. A downstream processing facility has a compelling rationale significantly reducing the overall volumes of copper concentrate shipped from the mine and the cost of transportation and logistics, export taxes and concentrate treatment charges, as well as producing sulphuric acid as a by-product. There is a strong demand and market for sulphuric acid in the Democratic Republic of Congo to recover oxide copper ores. Copper mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo currently import significant volumes of sulphur and sulphuric acid for the treatment of oxide copper ores.
Truckloads of Kamoa Copper’s concentrate being transported to the Lualaba Copper Smelter near Kolwezi, which will produce blister copper ingots containing approximately 99% copper.
Pre-production ore stockpiles total 3.4 million tonnes grading 4.78% copper
Chart 1: Cumulative tonnes and grade of pre-production ore stockpiles at the Kakula and Kansoko mines – May 2020 to June 2021.
Chart 2: Growth in contained copper in pre-production ore stockpiles at the Kakula and Kansoko mines – May 2020 to June 2021.
Chart 3: Growth in contained copper in surface stockpiles at Kamoa-Kakula to July 2021. Dotted lines denote projections from the 2020 pre-feasibility study.
Jean-Claude Mosompo, Flotation Operator.
Kakula’s main pre-production stockpiles at the northern declines. The blended stockpiles currently contain approximately 1.79 million tonnes grading 5.04% copper.
Kamoa-Kakula achieved an advancement of more than 3,185 metres in June, bringing total underground development to approximately 48.9 kilometres – more than 17.5 kilometres ahead of schedule.
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.
At both the Kakula South and Kansoko declines, high-grade ore of +6% copper is being stored in separate surface stockpiles that will provide the operating team with flexibility for optimizing the high-grade ore processed in the Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrator plants.
Kakula southern decline high-grade and medium-grade ore stockpiles containing a combined 1.18 million tonnes grading 4.74% copper (consisting of 551,000 high-grade tonnes @ 6.34% copper and 628,000 medium-grade tonnes @ 3.33% copper).
Kansoko decline high-grade and medium-grade ore stockpiles containing a combined 423,000 tonnes grading 3.82% copper (consisting of 116,000 high-grade tonnes @ 6.04% copper and 306,000 medium-grade tonnes @ 2.98% copper). Kansoko is located approximately 10 kilometres north of the Kamoa-Kakula concentrator plant.
Figure 1: Underground development completed at Kakula Mine to June 30, 2021 (in black). 
Vongani Nkuna, Group Manager, Metallurgy, at the Phase 1 ball mill.
(L-R) Sipamba Mwamba, Kasaola Ilunga and Elie Ngoie Tshisola working on masonry at the new Kamoa hospital.
C4 (hot commissioning) of the project’s first phase 3.8-Mtpa concentrator well underway
The concentrator plant now is fully operational with hot commissioning activities well advanced. In particular, the ongoing commissioning of the regrind mill is expected to improve concentrate quality. The first truckloads of concentrate were delivered to a local smelter on June 1, 2021, and concentrate dispatch is continuing daily. To date, more than 10,500 dry metric tonnes of concentrate have been delivered to the local smelter, and first blister copper ingots have been received. Preparation is underway for the final plant performance tests, which will conclude the C4 commissioning activities.
The concentrator plant currently is being operated and maintained by the Kamoa Copper operations and engineering teams with assistance from the project commissioning engineers.
Electrical installation at the backfill plant is nearing completion with some early C2 and C3 activities already started. The backfill plant is scheduled to be completed in July, with first paste delivered to the underground stopes 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. Construction of the tailings storage facility is progressing well and is scheduled to be completed on time to receive tailings from the processing plant.
Derick Yav Tshang, Control Room Supervisor. Kamoa Copper is committed to training and advancement opportunities across its operations.
Aerial view of the mining and training area at Kansoko, including the northern decline and high-grade and medium-grade ore stockpiles circled in red.
Civil works more than 70% complete for the second 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant, with numerous areas handed over to the Steel, Mechanical, Piping and Plate (SMPP) contractor; on-site steel pre-fabrication and erection has started
Construction of the second 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant (Phase 2) is progressing well, with the current focus on the completion of civil works and structural steel erection. Both civil works and structural steel erection are tracking slightly ahead of schedule.
Engineering and procurement activities also are progressing well, with both more than 80% complete. Fabrication of structural steel and platework is nearing completion with the bulk of the steel and platework either delivered to site, or en route.
Manufacturing of all long-lead items of equipment is nearing completion with several items already delivered to site.
The award of the electrical, control and instrumentation installation contract is imminent.
(L-R) Tresor Kilolo Mpiana, Joyce Lenge Kabange, and Japhet Kibonge constructing the Phase 2 concentrator at Kamoa-Kakula.
Contractors constructing the foundations for the Phase 2 concentrator tailings thickener.
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 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 Memorandum of Understanding with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s state-owned power company (SNEL) to upgrade Turbine 5 at the Inga II hydropower complex. In June, Stucky, the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) company, conducted rehabilitation scoping work on the project. 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 plant generating clean electricity.
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 the mine’s 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 a daily focus, to prevent future cases.
Kamoa Copper continues to administer its initial supply of 1,500 dosages of the AstraZeneca vaccine for Kamoa employees, contractors and residents who live in the mine’s host communities. The second dose will be administered eight to 12 weeks after the first and a certificate of vaccination completion will be issued to those who have received two doses.
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 doctors and nurses apply the latest medical treatments, supported by a world-leading emergency response and paramedic team.
Kamoa is one of 15 sites in the province where COVID-19 vaccination programs are being rolled-out to curb the spread of the virus.
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.
(L-R) Richard Lubuku Lutchimba, Medical Doctor; Fabrice Manengo Sengey, Senior ICU Nurse; Felly Kindoki Mpangulula, Medical Doctor; Delvareine Kabwayi Buyamba, Junior Doctor; John Botomwito Ikombele, Head of Health; Albert Odimboleko, Medical Doctor; Patrick Kasongo Ngoyi, Occupational Health Coordinator; and Timothee Bwana Ngoie, ICU Nurse, at the Kamoa hospital.
Excellent progress is being made on the new primary healthcare wing of the Kamoa hospital.
Ivanhoe Mines issues fourth annual Sustainability Report showcasing the company’s achievements toward becoming a global ESG leader in mining
On June 8, 2021, Ivanhoe Mines announced the publication of its fourth annual Sustainability Report. The report highlights Ivanhoe’s sustainability programs and initiatives in 2020, including significant accomplishments achieved at its three mine development projects, and outlines goals and benchmarks for current and future corporate activities.
Dr. Patricia Makhesha, Executive Vice President, Sustainability and Special Projects, commented: “Ivanhoe’s culture is the heartbeat of our organization and is integral to everything that we do. Our culture is one of caring for others, and therefore of operating with the best interests of our key stakeholders in mind.”
View the company’s outstanding sustainability initiatives in our 2020 Sustainability Report at: https://ivanhoemines.com/investors/sustainability-report/
(L-R) Prince Nayisanga, Jose Nyembo, Delphine Mtambwe and Chretien Mutinga constructing new fishponds near Kamoa-Kakula.
Kamoa-Kakula is building another 100 fishponds in the surrounding area, bringing the number of fishponds to 137. The project is part of Kamoa-Kakula Sustainable Livelihoods' initiative to further increase food security and economic prosperity in the region.
Qualified Persons
Disclosures of a scientific or technical nature regarding development scenarios at the Kamoa-Kakula Project in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Steve Amos, who is considered, by virtue of his education, experience and professional association, a Qualified Person under the terms of NI 43-101. Mr. Amos is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is the Head of the Kamoa Project. Mr. Amos has verified the technical data disclosed in this news release.
Other disclosures of a scientific or technical nature regarding the stockpiles in this news release have been reviewed and approved by George Gilchrist, who is considered, by virtue of his education, experience and professional association, a Qualified Person under the terms of NI 43-101. Mr. Gilchrist is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is the Vice President, Resources of Ivanhoe Mines. Mr. Gilchrist has verified the other technical data disclosed in this news release.
The stockpile grade estimates contained in this release are based upon bulk ore sampling from earlier underground headings, and vertical channel sample profiles from recent development. Bulk ore sampling was done on each heading every second blast and three 5-kilogram samples were taken. Since the beginning of October 2020, channel sample profiles are the primary data informing the stockpile grade estimates. These are cut approximately 15 metres apart in 1-metre vertical increments across the full vertical exposure using a handheld grinder, with a 100-to-150-gram sample collected. The samples are pulverized at the project’s onsite laboratory and analyzed using a portable XRF (pXRF) instrument. Kamoa Copper has routinely analyzed its exploration drill core for copper using pXRF, in addition to analysis at a commercial laboratory using four acid digest and ICP-OES. This data has demonstrated that pXRF results can be relied upon for grade control and run-of-mine sampling. 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 operation; (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 slightly ahead of schedule; (ix) statements regarding approximately one half of the mine’s tailings will be sent back underground; (x) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula agreements for the sale of its copper concentrates during Phase 1 operations; (xi) statements regarding Kakula is expected to produce an extremely high grade and clean copper concentrate (containing over 57% copper and extremely low arsenic levels by world standards – approximately 0.01%) that will be highly coveted by copper smelters around the world; (xii) statements regarding 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; (xiii) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula Phase 2 engineering and procurement activities progressing well; (xiv) statements regarding preparations for the final plant performance tests, and the conclusion the C4 commissioning activities; (xv) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula’s feed grades are expected to increase during the month of July; (xvi) statements regarding surface stockpiles are expected to continue to build at a reduced rate; and (xvii) statements regarding C4 plant commissioning expected to take approximately four months.
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 2020 Year-End 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380万吨的选厂目前已全面投产。装载第一批铜精矿的卡车车队已于2021年6 月 1 日抵达当地冶炼厂，正继续进行日常的精矿交付。迄今为止，项目已向当地冶炼厂交付了超过 10,500 干吨铜精矿，并且已收回第一批粗铜。卡莫阿-卡库拉选厂的试车工作进展顺利，目前正为最终性能测试作准备。
第一批矿石已于5月20日供给选厂，并于5月25日正式启动铜精矿生产，比原计划提前数月。截至6月30日，项目已运送31.3万吨铜品位4.85%的矿石至原矿堆场。项目团队正为最终性能测试作准备，也将是第四阶段 (或 “带料”) 试车的尾声。预计7月份的入选品位将会有所提升。
艾芬豪矿业于6月9日宣布，卡莫阿铜业已按照公平竞争条款，就卡莫阿-卡库拉I期生产的铜产品与中信金属香港有限公司 (以下简称"中信金属") 和金山 (香港) 国际矿业有限公司 (紫金矿业集团的子公司) 签署了各50%产量的铜精矿及粗铜包销协议。同时，公司已获得所有必要的出口许可，将从卡莫阿-卡库拉矿山出口铜产品至国际市场。
6月份采出的33.8万吨矿石，铜品位4.59%，包括在卡库拉 (Kakula) 矿山采出的29.5万吨矿石，铜品位4.76% (包括在矿床高品位中心采出的6.62万吨矿石，铜品位高达7.71%) ，以及在卡索科 (Kansoko) 矿山采出的4.3万吨矿石，铜品位3.43%。
6月份的平均铜品位略低于上月，原因是试车期间只需要供应较低品位的矿石。
项目投产前地表堆场已储备了约340万吨高品位和中品位矿石，平均铜品位约4.78%。截至5月底，矿堆的铜金属量累计已超过16.2万吨 (目前的铜价约9,430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以较低的速度增长。
点击观看卡莫阿-卡库拉正式启动生产: https://vimeo.com/570976669/1306ccf2e1
测量员 Celestin Kayemba Kayombo 与建设团队的其他成员共同努力建设卡莫阿-卡库拉II期选厂。
(从左至右) 控制室主管 Herribert Nyange、Jean-Claude Katanga及Jack Tambwe 在卡莫阿-卡库拉I期选厂前。
第一批铜精矿已于2021年6月1日运往位于科卢韦齐的卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂 (以下简称 “LCS”)。 (从左至右) LCS首席执行官杨伟、卡莫阿铜业首席财务官罗谢尔·德维利耶 (Rochelle de Villiers) 以及LCS副总经理董明。
II期选厂的地基建设进展顺利，土木工程及钢结构工程都超越既定目标，选厂将按计划于2022年第三季度实现投产。
卡莫阿铜业首席执行官马克·法伦 (Mark Farren) 表示﹕“卡莫阿于5月25日庆祝铜精矿投产后，我们于6月份全力进行I期选厂的试车工作。项目团队已进入第四阶段试车，需时约4个月，随着选厂爬坡至设计总产能，预计产量将会逐步提升。6 月份的运营表现十分理想。我们预计今年剩余时间的铜生产量将达到生产指导目标的预期，且II期选厂的建设也继续超计划稳步推进。”
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含铜金属量为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。
控制室主管Lorraine Nkulu Ngoie
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，估算的前期入选品位平均超过6.0%，其后于2022年第三季度提升产能至760万吨/年。
I 期投产后预计每年将生产约20万吨铜，而I 期和 II 期投产后每年将累计生产高达40万吨铜。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。
堆场矿石被运送到大型卸料仓，图右上方为原矿堆场。
艾芬豪及其合作伙伴紫金矿业正积极研究加快卡莫阿-卡库拉的III期扩建，将选厂产能从760万吨/年提升至1,140万吨/年，并将由卡索科矿山的扩建或卡莫阿北区 (包括富矿带) 及卡库拉西区的新采区供给矿石。
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。
卡莫阿-卡库拉已签署I期粗铜及铜精矿包销协议；卡莫阿铜业已获得将产品出口到国际市场的许可
2021年6月9日，艾芬豪矿业宣布，卡莫阿铜业已就卡莫阿-卡库拉I期生产的铜产品，与中信金属香港有限公司 (以下简称"中信金属") 和金山(香港)国际矿业有限公司 (紫金矿业的子公司) 签署各50%产量的包销协议。包销协议为常青协议，涵盖 I 期全矿山服务期限生产的所有产量，包括铜精矿以及在卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂加工生产的粗铜。
包销协议包括国际标准的商业条款，以及基于年度行业基准的铜产品应付款、加工费和精炼费。卡莫阿-卡库拉生产的超高品位、清洁铜精矿，预计铜品位高达57%，有害元素的含量极低。
卡莫阿-卡库拉生产的超高品位、清洁铜精矿，装袋后准备发往国际市场。
艾芬豪矿业总裁兼首席财务官玛娜·科洛特 (Marna Cloete) 表示﹕“ 我们十分高兴与合作伙伴中信金属和紫金矿业在国际竞争条件下达成协议，並且与当地的卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂达成长期冶炼加工协议，践行我们在刚果(金)境内进行冶炼加工的承诺，包括卡莫阿铜业建设粗铜冶炼厂的长远计划。”
“我们已获得所有必要的出口许可，将从卡莫阿-卡库拉矿山出口使用清洁水电能源生产的铜产品，以满足全球经济对于电气化日益增长的需求。”
中信金属和紫金矿业将以FCA (货交承运人)方式购买卡库拉矿山的铜精矿以及在卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂加工生产的粗铜，买方将负责由交货点经由南非德班港至最终目的地的货运。
选矿主管 Dodo Mbay 在卡莫阿-卡库拉的精矿仓展示手中的铜精矿。
卡库拉预期将生产品位极高的清洁铜精矿，铜品位超过57%。冶金试验表明，按照世界标准，卡库拉精矿的砷含量极低，约为0.01%。
卡莫阿铜业正在对建设粗铜和阳极铜的冶炼厂进行评估。下游冶炼设施可大幅减少铜精矿的运输总量，降低运输和物流成本、出口税和精矿冶炼加工费，并可生产硫酸副产品。刚果(金)对于硫酸的需求旺盛，刚果(金)的铜矿山大量进口硫磺和硫酸以处理铜氧化矿。
将卡莫阿铜业的精矿运往邻近科卢韦齐的卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂的车队，进行加工处理以生产99%粗铜。
投产前地表矿堆已储备矿石340万吨，铜品位4.78%
图表1﹕2020年5月至2021年6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6月期间卡库拉和卡索科矿山的投产前矿堆铜金属量增长
图表3﹕卡莫阿-卡库拉矿山于2021年7月前，地表矿堆的铜金属量增长预期。虚线是基于2020年预可行性研究作出的预测。
浮选机操作员Jean-Claude Mosompo
卡库拉北斜坡道投产前矿堆，配矿堆场已储备矿石约179万吨，铜品位5.04%。
卡莫阿-卡库拉项目在6月份掘进超过3,185米，地下开拓工程至今完成约48.9公里，超越计划约17.5公里。
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。
在卡库拉南斜坡道和卡索科斜坡道，铜品位超过6%的高品位矿石将会被堆放在单独的地表堆场，这将为现场团队提供极大的灵活性，以优化I期和II期选厂处理的高品位矿石。
卡库拉南斜坡道的高品位和中品位堆场共储备约118万吨矿石，铜品位4.74% (其中包含55.1万吨高品位矿石，铜品位6.34%；以及62.8万吨中品位矿石，铜品位3.33%)。
卡索科斜坡道的高品位和中品位堆场共储备42.3万吨矿石，铜品位3.82% (其中包含11.6万吨高品位矿石，铜品位6.04%；以及30.6万吨中品位矿石，铜品位2.98%)。卡索科位于卡莫阿-卡库拉选厂以北约10公里处。
图1﹕截至2021年6月30日在卡库拉矿山已完成的地下开拓工程 (黑色)。
卡莫阿铜业冶金部经理Vongani Nkuna在I期球磨机前。
(从左至右) Sipamba Mwamba、Kasaola Ilunga 和 Elie Ngoie Tshisola在新建成的卡莫阿医院进行砌砖工作。
项目的I期380万吨/年选厂正进行第4阶段带料试车
选厂目前已全面投产，且带料试车的工作进展顺利。磨机的试车工作正进行中，预计将会提高精矿的质量。第一批铜精矿已于2021年6 月 1 日送达当地冶炼厂，且继续开展日常的精矿交付。迄今为止，项目已向当地冶炼厂交付了超过 10,500 干吨铜精矿，并且已收回第一批粗铜。目前正为最终性能测试作准备，也将是第四阶段试车的尾声。
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。
回填厂的电气安装已将近完成，并已展开C2 (第二阶段) 和 C3 (第三阶段) 的前期工作。回填厂将于7月竣工，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。尾矿库的施工进展顺利，将如期完工以接收来自选厂的尾矿。
控制室主管Derick Yav Tshang。卡莫阿铜业致力为员工提供项目运营各个领域的培训和晋升机会。
卡索科采区和培训设施的鸟瞰图，包括红圈显示的北斜坡道和高中品位矿石堆场。
第二座380万吨/年选厂的土木工程已完成超过70%，多个厂区已移交至SMPP (钢材、机械、管道和钣金) 承包商；现场钢材预制和安装已启动
第二座380万吨/年选厂 (II期) 施工进展顺利，目前正重点完成土木工程和钢结构的安装，两项工程都略微超越既定目标。
工程设计和采购工作进展顺利，两项工作目前已完成超过80%。钢结构和钣金制造接近完成，大部分钢材和钣金已抵达现场或在运送途中。
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、控制和仪表安装的合同快将达成协议。
(从左至右) Tresor Kilolo Mpiana、Joyce Lenge Kabange和Japhet Kibonge正在卡莫阿-卡库拉II期选厂进行施工。
承包商为II期选厂的尾矿浓密机建造地基。
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。项目的EPCM (工程、采购、建设和管理) 公司Stucky于6月份界定了项目的修缮范围。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水电站升级后产生清洁的电能。
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。
卡莫阿铜业继续为卡莫阿员工、承包商以及矿山运营社区的刚果居民接种首批1,500剂的阿斯利康 (AstraZeneca) 疫苗。第二剂疫苗将在第一剂接种后 8 至 12 周内完成，完成两剂疫苗接种后将发放疫苗证书。
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。
卡莫阿是卢阿拉巴省正在推行 COVID-19 新冠疫苗接种计划的15个地点之一，以防止病毒蔓延。
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。
(从左至右) 卡莫阿医院的医生Richard Lubuku Lutchimba、重症监护病房高级护士Fabrice Manengo Sengey、医生Felly Kindoki Mpangulula、初级医生Delvareine Kabwayi Buyamba、健康主管John Botomwito Ikombele、医生Albert Odimboleko、职业健康协调员Patrick Kasongo Ngoyi，以及重症监护病房护士Timothee Bwana Ngoie。
卡莫阿医院新建的主医疗大楼施工进展顺利。
艾芬豪矿业发布第4份年度可持续发展报告，展示公司在成为全球矿业ESG领导者方面的成就
2021年6月8日，艾芬豪矿业发布第四份年度可持续发展报告。报告重点阐述了艾芬豪于 2020 年实施的可持续发展规划和举措，包括公司三大矿产项目取得的重大成就，同时概述了当前和未来企业活动的目标和基准。
可持续发展与特殊项目执行副总裁帕翠莎·马凯莎 (Patricia Makhesha) 博士说﹕“艾芬豪的文化是我们公司的命脉，也是我们所有决策、工作中不可缺少的部分。公司一直本着关怀他人的文化，在运营时以主要利益相关方的最大利益为本。”
点击观看《2020 年可持续发展报告》了解公司杰出的可持续发展举措：https://ivanhoemines.com/investors/sustainability-report/
(从左至右) Prince Nayisanga、Jose Nyembo、Delphine Mtambwe和Chretien Mutinga在卡莫阿-卡库拉附近建设新的鱼塘。
卡莫阿-卡库拉正在矿山周围建设100个新鱼塘，已建成数量增加至137个。该项目是卡莫阿-卡库拉可持续民生计划的另一举措，进一步提高该地区的粮食安全和经济发展。
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早前从地下巷道的大样以及从最近开展的垂直剖面刻槽取样。每个巷道进行第二次爆破时取样，并采集3个5公斤重的样品。从2020年10月起使用刻槽取样的样品作为矿堆品位估算的主要数据，大约每15米在整个垂直剖面上使用手持式切割机按1米垂直间隔进行采样，收集100-150克重的样品。在项目现场实验室磨样加工后，使用便携式XRF (pXRF) 仪器进行分析。除了在商业实验室利用4酸消解和ICP-OES进行分析之外，卡莫阿铜业也经常使用pXRF分析钻孔岩芯中的铜含量。该数据表明，pXRF结果可用于品位控制和原矿取样。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略微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) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿在I期运营期间的铜精矿销售协议的陈述；(xi) 关于卡库拉预计将生产品位极高的清洁铜精矿(铜品位超过57%，按照世界标准，卡库拉精矿的砷含量极低，约为0.01%)，它将是世界各地铜冶炼厂梦寐以求的产品的陈述；(xii) 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；(xiii) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉II期工程设计和采购工作进展顺利的陈述；(xiv) 关于最终性能测试的准备，以及第四阶段试车的总结期的陈述；( xv) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉预计7月份的入选品位将会有所提升的陈述；(xvi) 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；以及 (xvii) 关于第四阶段试车预计需时约4个月的陈述。
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；(xiv) 项目范围或设计变更；以及(xv) 政治因素。
前瞻性陈述及信息涉及重大风险和不确定性，故不应被视为对未来表现或业绩的保证，并且不能准确地指示能否达到该等业绩。许多因素可能导致实际业绩与前瞻性陈述或信息所讨论的业绩有重大差异，包括但不限于“风险因素”以及本新闻稿其他部分所指的因素，以及有关部门实施的法律、法规或规章或其不可预见的变化；与本公司签订合约的各方没有根据协议履行合约；社会或劳资纠纷；商品价格的变动；以及勘探计划或研究未能达到预期结果或未能产生足以证明和支持继续勘探、研究、开发或运营的结果。
虽然本新闻稿载有的前瞻性陈述是基于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年年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。