KOLWEZI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) Co-Chairs Robert Friedland and Yufeng “Miles” Sun are pleased to announce accelerated construction and commissioning progress at the Phase 1 Kamoa-Kakula concentrator plant. The target date for C4 commissioning (milling of ore and first copper concentrate production) has been advanced to the end May or early June –several months ahead of schedule.
Overall construction of the project’s first phase 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant is essentially complete, with the majority of the C1 (construction complete) certificates signed off. The plant is energized with permanent power and C2 commissioning, which involves electrical, control and instrumentation checks, is well advanced. Water is being circulated in certain areas of the plant, marking the beginning of C3 commissioning. C3 commissioning involves checking for leaks, certain instrument calibration, control loop checks, and is the precursor to C4 commissioning (hot commissioning), which involves processing ore through the plant to produce a copper concentrate.
Overall plant commissioning is running well ahead of schedule, with the first ore expected to be added to the mill by the end of May 2021. Lower-grade ore will be fed into the plant during the C4 commissioning phase, to ensure plant performance and copper recovery are satisfactory before increasing the head grade.
The 409,000 tonnes mined in April comprised 357,000 tonnes grading 5.70% copper from the Kakula Mine, including 121,000 tonnes grading 8.40% copper from the mine’s high-grade centre, and 51,000 tonnes grading 5.85% copper from the Kansoko Mine.
The project’s pre-production surface stockpiles now contain approximately 3.0 million tonnes of high-grade and medium-grade ore at an estimated blended average of 4.74% copper. Kamoa-Kakula now has reached the 3.0-million-tonne target of mined high-grade and medium-grade ore, several months ahead of the timeline estimated in the 2020 pre-feasibility study.
Contained copper in the stockpiles increased by approximately 23,000 tonnes in April – to a cumulative total of more than 140,000 tonnes (the current copper price is approximately US$9,950 a tonne).
Some of the approximately 7,000 employees and contractors who helped to build the Phase 1, 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant ahead of schedule and within budget.
April’s underground mine development shatters all previous records with advancement of more than 3,625 metres
Kamoa-Kakula also set another monthly mine development record in April, with an advancement of more than 3,625 metres, bringing total underground development to approximately 42.2 kilometres – more than 15 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 July.
Mark Farren, Kamoa Copper’s CEO, remarked: “April was another month of great performance by our mining teams, who continue to produce well above plan. We now have reached our 3.0-million-tonne pre-production stockpile target. This stockpile likely is to grow further as our monthly mining rate currently exceeds the Phase 1 milling rate, and only should be drawn down once the Phase 2 concentrator begins operation in mid-2022.
“Even more exciting is the fact that we have been able to significantly bring forward the Phase 1 concentrator commissioning. We now expect to produce our first copper concentrate by the end of May or early June, months ahead of the original schedule.
“We have fantastic people on site, who continue to achieve very tough milestones. We expect to see the same kind of progress during our next challenge of ramping up the plant to nameplate capacity and design recovery. Many of the key contractors have been retained for Phase 2 to ensure continuity and to carry over learnings from Phase 1. Phase 2 construction is moving along nicely and is tracking slightly ahead of plan.”
Mr. Friedland added: “We are proud of the entire Kamoa-Kakula team for their remarkable dedication and accomplishments to deliver our Phase 1 production ahead of schedule and on budget, despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. We would especially like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Kamoa-Kakula leadership team. Their unwavering passion, vision and commitment to excellence is critical to the ongoing transformation and growth of our business.
“The start of production at Kakula marks the beginning of a multi-generational copper mining district, consisting of numerous high-grade mines. We now turn our focus to scaling up this expansive copper region in a manner that is ethically- and socially-responsible, and setting a new global benchmark for the elimination of greenhouse gases in the production of copper that the world urgently needs.”
Robert Friedland to participate in a virtual fireside chat at the 2021 Goldman Sachs Copper Day on May 5 at 11:45 AM ET
Mr. Friedland will discuss Kamoa-Kakula’s expansion plans, the company’s Western Foreland exploration plans, his views on the global copper market and copper’s role in the green energy transition. He also will provide his thoughts on the inevitable differential pricing for all commodities based on their ESG production characteristics as blockchain technology is integrated and smarter markets are established. The Goldman Sachs Copper Day conference is by invitation only for institutional clients.
“Given that Goldman Sachs’ metals strategists recently called copper the “new oil” and predicted copper prices could reach US$15,000 a tonne by 2025, I expect it to be a lively discussion,” said Mr. Friedland.
Members of Ivanhoe’s and Kamoa-Kakula’s multinational senior management teams at Kakula’s Phase 1 concentrator’s pneumatic control valves. L-R: Abraham Li (Director & Deputy General Manager, Kamoa Copper); Steve Amos(Head of Projects, Kamoa Copper); Annebel Oosthuizen (Executive, Finance, Kamoa Copper); Ben Munanga (Chairman, Kamoa Copper); Marna Cloete (President and CFO, Ivanhoe Mines); Mark Farren(CEO, Kamoa Copper); Rochelle de Villiers(Co-CFO, Kamoa Copper);Minty Cai (Co-CFO, Kamoa Copper); and Olivier Binyingo (VP Public Affairs DRC, Ivanhoe Mines).
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 combined are forecast to produce approximately 400,000 tonnes of copper per year. Based on independent benchmarking, the project’s phased expansion scenario to 19 Mtpa would position Kamoa-Kakula as the world’s second-largest copper mining complex, with peak annual copper production of more than 800,000 tonnes.
Given the current copper price environment, 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 is connected to one of the world’s greenest power grids, including power supplied from the newly upgraded Mwadingusha hydropower plant.
Pre-production ore stockpiles total 3.0 million tonnes grading 4.74% copper
Chart 1: Cumulative tonnes and grade of pre-production ore stockpiles at the Kakula and Kansoko mines – May 2020 to April 2021.
Chart 2: Growth in contained copper in pre-production ore stockpiles at the Kakula and Kansoko mines – May 2020 to April 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.
The ore being mined from the northern portion of the Kakula Mine is transported to surface via the conveyor system and placed on a blended surface stockpile that now contains approximately 1.64 million tonnes grading an estimated 4.93% copper. Additional pre-production ore stockpiles are located at the Kakula southern decline (987,000 tonnes at a blended grade of 4.75% copper) and the Kansoko decline (339,000 tonnes at blended grade of 3.78% copper).
Low-grade ore from surface stockpiles being conveyed to the run-of-mine ore stockpile, to be used in early commissioning of the concentrator plant.
Kakula’s main pre-production stockpiles at the northern declines. The blended stockpiles currently contain approximately 1.64 million tonnes grading 4.93% copper. The run-of-mine stockpile in the previous picture is circled in red.
Watch a new Kamoa-Kakula fly-over video showcasing the impressive progress made over the last month: https://vimeo.com/544085443/17f43e0193
Kakula southern decline blended ore stockpiles containing approximately 987,000 tonnes grading 4.75% copper (consisting of 448,000 high-grade tonnes @ 6.55% copper and 538,000 medium grade tonnes @ 3.25% copper).
Kansoko decline blended ore stockpiles containing 339,000 tonnes grading 3.78% copper (consisting of 83,000 high-grade tonnes @ 6.19% copper and 255,000 medium-grade tonnes @ 3.00% copper).
Figure 1: Underground development completed at Kakula Mine to April 30, 2021 (in black).
Construction of the initial 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant 98% complete; final checks and testing in progress
Overall construction of the project’s first phase, 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant and associated facilities is advancing rapidly and is approximately 98% complete (as of end of April), up from 92% complete at the end of March. The concentrator plant is essentially mechanically complete, with first copper concentrate production scheduled for later this month or early June.
Painting of pipes is underway at Kakula’s Phase 1, 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant. Foundations for the Phase 2 flotation cells and ball mills are on the right.
Structural steel erection, platework installation and piping and valve installation for the first concentrator plant is effectively complete, as is electrical, controls and instrumentation installation.
The main mine 220-kilovolt (kV) Kamoa Consumer Substation (KCS) has been energized on grid power, as has the 33kV KCS substation. The main plant 33kV substation and all the plant medium-voltage and low-voltage substations also have been energized, and the plant now is electrically live.
Construction complete (C1) sign off is nearing completion with approximately 75% of the certificates signed off and handed over from construction to commissioning. C2 (pre commissioning) commissioning is well underway with some areas (crushing and screening, milling) more than 90% complete. Early C3 activities (checking for leaks, certain instrument calibration, control-loop checks) have started with water being circulated around certain areas in the plant.
Electrical installation at the backfill plant is ongoing and the backfill plant is scheduled to be completed in July, well before paste backfill is required for mining operations.
The backfill plant will be used to mix tailings from the processing plant with cement to produce paste backfill. The backfill will be pumped back into the mine and used to help support mined-out areas. Approximately one half of the mine’s tailings will be sent back underground, significantly reducing the surface tailings storage. Construction of the tailings storage facility is progressing well and is scheduled to be completed on time to receive tailings from the processing plant.
Phase 1 concentrator plant now energized with permanent hydroelectricity.
A 3D overhead illustration of the finished Phase 1, 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant. The picture below shows that construction is essentially complete. Foundations for the Phase 2 concentrator ball mills and flotation cells are circled in red
Kelebogile Choku, Process Engineer with DRA, overseeing the commissioning of the new crushing and screening plant vibrating screen. DRA, a diversified global engineering group headquartered in Perth, Australia, is the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) contractor for Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1 construction.
Kembo Mzemba, Instrument Technician with T3 Projects, wiring a control panel at the high-pressure-grinding-rolls feed bin.
Commissioning of the crushing and screening plant vibrating screen. L-R: Ernest de la Hunt (Mechanical Engineer, DRA); Morne Kruger (Project Manager, DRA); Kelebogile Choku (Process Engineer, DRA); Aldo Groenewald (Commissioning Manager, DRA); and Thys de Beer (Senior Project Manager, DRA).
Newly-trained operators at the Outotec concentrate filtration plant. L-R: Prince Mwenilungena; Teddy Kangwe Kangombe; Sakisa Mazau Papy; Katsmiza Tshisonk; Kazadi Mwyombe Jordan; and Makungu Mushika Idris.
Earthworks and civil works progressing well for the second 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant, with the first structural steel expected on site in June
Construction of the second 3.8-Mtpa concentrator plant (Phase 2) is progressing well with the current focus on earthworks and civil works. Both earthworks and civil works are tracking slightly ahead of schedule.
Engineering and procurement activities are progressing well. The first two shipments of structural steel and the first three shipments of platework have left the fabricator and are on route to site. The first steel and platework is expected on site in June 2021. The first of the long-lead items of equipment (cone crusher) has arrived on site.
The structural steel, mechanical, piping and plate erection contract has been awarded and the tender document of the electrical, control and instrumentation installation contract will be issued shortly.
Foundations for the Phase 2 flotation cells advancing rapidly.
Watch a short time-lapse video of a day’s construction of the foundations of the Phase 2 concentrator flotation cells: https://vimeo.com/542354139/4847e933e8
Construction of foundations for the Phase 2 ball mills.
Construction of foundations for the Phase 2 high pressure grinding rolls.
Four new large-scale disk filters from FLSmidth, a Danish multinational engineering company, installed in the backfill plant. The filters are used for tailings filtration prior to mixing.
Kamoa-Kakula close to finalizing agreements for the sale of its copper concentrates during Phase 1 operations
Kakula is expected to produce an extremely high-grade, clean copper concentrate (containing over 55% copper) that will be highly coveted by smelters around the world. Metallurgical test work indicates that the Kakula concentrates contain extremely low arsenic levels by world standards – approximately 0.01%.
Offtake agreements for copper concentrates produced during Phase 1 operations are nearing final, and include arrangements to utilize local smelter capacity to produce blister copper ingots, and also to export concentrates directly.
Upon receipt of final documentation and board approvals from Kamoa-Kakula’s joint-venture partners, as well as from Kamoa Copper SA, Ivanhoe plans to issue a news release providing details of the marketing arrangements.
Contractors constructing a massive parking lot for the transport trucks that will haul Kamoa-Kakula’s copper concentrates to smelters in the DRC and to ports for shipping to international markets.
Kamoa-Kakula’s main 220-kV substation energized with clean, renewable hydropower; upgrading work at the Mwadingusha hydropower plant nearing completion
In December 2020, the 35-kilometre-long double circuit 220-kilovolt (kV) power line to Kamoa-Kakula was connected to the national electrical grid through theNew Western Dispatch substation in Kolwezi. Kamoa-Kakula’s main 220-kV substation was energized with 220-kV power from the national power grid on March 25 and the first of two 33-kV transformers on March 29.
Three 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 of power. The completion and commissioning of the hydropower plant’s remaining generating units, in sequence, is in progress.
In April, Kamoa-Kakula’s energy company signed an agreement with the DRC’s state-owned power company to upgrade Turbine 5 at the Inga II hydropower complex. Turbine 5 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.
The Mwadingusha hydropower plant soon is expected to deliver 78 megawatts of clean power to the national electrical grid.
Turbine 5 (penstock circled in red) at the Inga II hydropower complex is expected to generate an additional 162 megawatts of clean power after upgrading.
COVID-19 prevention and treatment initiatives successfully maintained, with focus on personnel staying vigilant about COVID safety protocols
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.
The Kamoa COVID-19 hospital continues to treat patients when required, as construction progresses for the expansion and upgrade of the primary healthcare wing of the hospital. Kamoa-Kakula’s highly experienced doctors and nurses apply the latest medical treatments, supported by a world-leading emergency response and paramedic team.
As the pandemic evolves, the medical team at Kamoa-Kakula continues to review and update its risk mitigation protocols, while ensuring that new medical advances are investigated and applied to protect the health and safety of the workforce and community members.
Contractor Elie Ngox Tbhisola working on the new primary healthcare wing of the Kamoa hospital.
Overhead view of the Kakula Village workers’ accommodations at dusk.
Kamoa-Kakula constructing an additional 100 fish ponds to expand sustainable aquaculture for increased food security and economic prosperity for local residents
Kamoa-Kakula is constructing another 100 fish ponds in the area surrounding the Kamoa-Kakula Mine, bringing the current number of fish ponds to 137. An additional 25 fish ponds are planned to be constructed, bringing the combined total to 162. The project is anotherKamoa-Kakula Sustainable Livelihoods initiative to further increase food security and economic prosperity in the region.
20 new companies have been created for local ownership of these additional ponds, with each company comprising five residents from local communities.
The Kamoa-Kakula Sustainable Livelihoods Project, established in 2012 by Ivanhoe Mines with the support of U.K.-based Eco-Livelihoods, is significantly contributing to the economic empowerment of residents in 14 communities in the vicinity of Kamoa-Kakula.
Watch a short video of ongoing construction work at the 100 new fish ponds: https://vimeo.com/542348642/9db311dae7
Serge Lumbal, a cook at the Kamoa staff kitchen, with fresh vegetables produced from local community farms – one of Kamoa-Kakula’s local procurement initiatives.
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 DRC and at the Platreef palladium-platinum-nickel-copper-rhodium-gold discovery in South Africa; and the extensive redevelopment and upgrading of the historic Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC.
Kamoa-Kakula is expected to begin producing copper in May or early June 2021 and, through phased expansions, is positioned to become one of the world's largest copper producers. Kamoa-Kakula and Kipushi will be powered by clean, renewable hydro-generated electricity and will be among the world’s lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of metal produced. Ivanhoe also is exploring for new copper discoveries on its wholly-owned Western Foreland exploration licences in the DRC, near the Kamoa-Kakula Project.
Information contacts
Investors: Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834 / Media: Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034
Forward-looking statements
Certain statements in this release constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “scheduled”, “forecast”, “predict” and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company’s current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release.
Such statements include without limitation, the timing and results of: (i) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula to begin copper production within a month; (ii) statements regarding the target date for C4 commissioning (milling of ore and first copper concentrate production) has been advanced to the end May or early June; (iii) 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; (iv) statements regarding the surface stockpiles at Kamoa-Kakula are likely to grow further as our monthly mining rate currently exceeds the Phase 1 milling rate, and should only be drawn down once the Phase 2 concentrator begins operation in mid-2022; (v) 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; (vi) 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; (vii) 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; (viii) 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; (ix) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula will be among the world's lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of copper produced; (x) statements regarding the first steel and platework for Phase 2 is expected on site in June 2021; (xi) statements regarding approximately one half of the mine’s tailings will be sent back underground; (xii) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula is close to finalizing agreements for the sale of its copper concentrates during Phase 1 operations; (xiii) statements regarding Kakula is expected to produce an extremely high grade and clean copper concentrate (containing over 55% copper and extremely low arsenic levels by world standards – approximately 0.01%) that will be highly coveted by copper smelters around the world; (xiii) statements regarding the fully-refurbished Mwadingusha hydropower plant is expected to deliver approximately 78 megawatts of power to the national grid; and (xiv) statements regarding an upgraded Turbine 5 at Inga II is expected to produce 162 megawatts of renewable hydropower, providing the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex and associated smelter with abundant sustainable electricity for future expansions.
As well, all of the results of the Kakula definitive feasibility study, the Kakula-Kansoko pre-feasibility
study and the Kamoa-Kakula preliminary economic assessment, constitute forward-looking statements or information, and include future estimates of internal rates of return, net present value, future production, estimates of cash cost, proposed mining plans and methods, mine life estimates, cash flow forecasts, metal recoveries, estimates of capital and operating costs and the size and timing of phased development of the projects. Furthermore, with respect to this specific forward-looking information concerning the development of the Kamoa-Kakula Project, the company has based its assumptions and analysis on certain factors that are inherently uncertain. Uncertainties include: (i) the adequacy of infrastructure; (ii) geological characteristics; (iii) metallurgical characteristics of the mineralization; (iv) the ability to develop adequate processing capacity; (v) the price of copper; (vi) the availability of equipment and facilities necessary to complete development; (vii) the cost of consumables and mining and processing equipment; (viii) unforeseen technological and engineering problems; (ix) accidents or acts of sabotage or terrorism; (x) currency fluctuations; (xi) changes in regulations; (xii) the compliance by joint venture partners with terms of agreements; (xiii) the availability and productivity of skilled labour; (xiv) the regulation of the mining industry by various governmental agencies; (xv) the ability to raise sufficient capital to develop such projects; (xvi) changes in project scope or design; and (xvii) political factors.
Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed below and under “Risk Factors”, and elsewhere in this release, as well as unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release.
The company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors set forth below in the “Risk Factors” section in the company’s 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) 今天欣然宣布，卡莫阿-卡库拉 (Kamoa-Kakula) 第一序列选厂的建设和试车正在快速推进且进展顺利，第四阶段试车 (C4) (选矿和首批铜精矿生产) 的目标日期将提前至5月底或6月初，比原计划提前数月。
项目第一序列380万吨/年选厂的整体施工将近完成，第一阶段 (建设完成) 的C1证书大多数已获签字。选厂已获得长期电力供应，并正进行第二阶段试车 (C2) 且进度顺利，涉及电器、控制和仪表的检查。目前已开展第三阶段 (C3) 试车，在部分厂区加水运行，检查有否泄漏、校准部分仪器及检查控制环，并为第四阶段试车 (加料试车) 作好准备，选厂开始生产铜精矿。
选厂的整体试车比原定计划提前进行，预计于2021年5月底向选厂供应首批地下矿石。第四阶段试车期间将使用较低品位的矿石，在确保选厂的产能和铜回收率达标后，再提高入选品位。
4月份采出的40.9万吨矿石中，包括在卡库拉矿山采出的35.7万吨矿石，铜品位5.70% (其中包含在矿床高品位中心采出的12.1万吨矿石，铜品位高达8.40%) ，以及在卡索科 (Kansoko) 矿山采出的51,000吨矿石，铜品位5.85%。
项目投产前地表堆场已储备了约300万吨高品位和中品位矿石，平均铜品位约4.74%。卡莫阿-卡库拉目前已采出300万吨高品位和中品位矿石，相比2020年预可行性研究预测的时间点提前了几个月达标。
4月份矿堆铜金属量提高了约23,000吨，累计超过14万吨 (目前的铜价约9,950美元/吨)。
项目约7,000名员工和承包商共同努力，使第一序列380万吨/年选厂的建设再在预算之内超计划提前完工。
4月份的地下开拓工程打破所有过往记录，掘进超过3,625米
卡莫阿-卡库拉项目在4月份再创月度开拓记录，掘进超过3,625米，至今完成约42.2公里，超越计划约15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，完成一条单一的巷道 (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7月开始将回填料泵回井下作业。
卡莫阿铜业首席执行官马克·法伦 (Mark Farren) 说﹕“采掘班组于4月份的表现保持理想，持续超计划推进采掘工作，投产前堆矿量现已达到300万吨的目标。月度采矿速率已超越第一序列的选矿速率，预计堆矿量将会继续增加，并且仅在第二序列选厂于2022年中投产时才会逐渐减少。”
“更令人振奋的是，我们能够大大提前第一序列选厂的投产日期。目前，我们预计将于5月底或6月初实现首批铜精矿生产，比原定计划提前了几个月。 ”
“我们出色的现场团队，将继续努力实现各个艰巨的里程碑。项目的下一个挑战是要提升选厂至额定产能和设计回收率，我们预计进展将会持续顺利。大部分主要承包商已汲取I期建设的经验，将继续II期建设工作以确保连续性。目前，II期的施工进展顺利，略微超越既定目计划。”
弗里兰德先生补充说：“尽管COVID-19疫情带来了重大的挑战，卡莫阿-卡库拉团队上下一心，共同努力取得了骄人的成就，再预算内超计划提前实现I期生产，我们为此感到无比自豪。我们对于卡莫阿-卡库拉的领导团队特别致以衷心的感谢。他们凭着坚定不移的热诚、视野和决心追求卓越成就，这对于我们业务的转型和持续增长至关重要。”
“卡库拉矿山即将实现投产，标志着这个世代相传、包含多个高品位矿山的铜开采地区的开始。我们目前的重点，是以道德和社会负责任的方式，扩大这个大型铜矿区的规模，并为全球需求迫切的铜生产建立降低温室气体排放的全球基准。”
罗伯特·弗里兰德将于5月5日美国东岸时间上午11时45分参与2021年高盛铜业日的线上讨论
弗里兰德先生将讨论卡莫阿-卡库拉的扩建方案、公司西部前沿 (Western Foreland) 项目的勘探方案，并对于全球铜市场以及铜金属在绿色能源转型中扮演的角色发表意见。随着区块链技术的整合和更高效的市场发展，大宗商品的定价因ESG (环境、社会和公司管冶) 的生产特性而出现差异，弗里兰德先生将分享他在这方面的想法。高盛铜业日大会仅限受邀的机构客户参加。
弗里兰德先生说：“高盛的金属策略分析师最近将铜金属称为“新油”，并预测于2025年铜价将达到每吨15,000美元，我相信这将是一场热烈的讨论。”
艾芬豪与卡莫阿-卡库拉来自世界各地的高管团队成员在卡库拉第一序列选厂的气动控制阀。从左至右﹕卡莫阿铜业董事兼副总经理李志林、卡莫阿铜业项目负责人史蒂夫·阿莫斯 (Steve Amos)、卡莫阿铜业财务主任Annebel Oosthuizen、卡莫阿铜业董事长本·穆南加 (Ben Munanga)、艾芬豪矿业总裁兼首席财务官玛娜·科洛特 (Marna Cloete)、卡莫阿铜业首席执行官马克·法伦 (Mark Farren) 、卡莫阿铜业联席首席财务官罗谢尔·德维利耶 (Rochelle de Villiers)、卡莫阿铜业联席首席财务官Minty Cai，以及艾芬豪矿业刚果(金)公共事务副总裁奥利维尔·宾因戈 (Olivier Binyingo)。
卡库拉预期将会成为全球品位最高的大型铜矿，初始年开采矿石380万吨，估算的平均入选品位超过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1,900万吨/年，卡莫阿-卡库拉将成为全球第二大铜矿山，最高年产量将超过80万吨铜。
鉴于当前的铜价走势，艾芬豪与其合资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) 及卡库拉西区新的采区供给矿石。
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 (金) 政府 (占股20%) 的合资项目。
加拿大Hatch有限公司对于卡莫阿-卡库拉的2020年温室气体强度指标进行了独立审核，确定项目将会成为全球单位铜温室气体排放最低的矿山之一。
卡莫阿-卡库拉已接入全球最环保的电网之一，包括最近升级的Mwadingusha水电站供应的电力能源。
投产前地表矿堆已储备矿石300万吨，铜品位4.74%
图表1﹕2020年5月至2021年4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4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。虚线是以2020年预可行性研究为基础而作出的预测。
在卡库拉矿山北部采出的矿石经由皮带运输系统，送达地表的配矿堆场。配矿堆场目前已储备矿石量约164万吨，估计铜品位约4.93%。另外两个投产前矿堆分别位于卡库拉南斜坡道 (98.7万吨矿石，平均铜品位4.75%) 和卡索科斜坡道 (33.9万吨矿石，平均铜品位3.78%)。
地表堆场的低品位矿石将会被运送到原矿堆场，供给选厂用于早期试车。
卡库拉北斜坡道的投产前矿堆。配矿堆场已储备矿石164万吨，铜品位4.93%。红圈位置为上图的原矿堆场。
关于卡莫阿-卡库拉上月进度的全新航拍视频，可通过此链接进行观看﹕https://vimeo.com/544085443/17f43e0193
卡库拉南斜坡道的配矿堆场目前已储备约98.7万吨矿石，铜品位4.75% (其中包含44.8万吨高品位矿石，铜品位6.55%；以及53.8万吨中等品位矿石，铜品位3.25%)。
卡索科斜坡道的配矿堆场目前已储备约33.9万吨矿石，铜品位3.78% (其中包含83,000吨高品位矿石，铜品位6.19%；以及25.5万吨中等品位矿石，铜品位3.00%)。
图1﹕截至2021年4月30日在卡库拉矿山已完成的地下开拓工程 (黑色)。
380万吨/年初始选厂的建设已完成98%，最终检测正在进行中
第一序列380万吨/年选矿设施的整体建设正在快速推进，目前已完成约98% (截至4月底)，相比于3月底已完成至92%。选厂基本上已竣工，并计划于本月下旬或6月初实现首批铜精矿生产。
卡库拉的第一序列380万吨/年选厂正在进行管道喷漆工作。第二序列浮选车间和球磨机的地基位于图右。
第一序列选厂的钢结构和钣金安装、管道和阀门的安装，以及电器、控制和仪表的安装基本上已完成。
矿山的220千伏卡莫阿 (以下简称“KCS”)主变电站及33千伏KCS变电站已接入电网。选厂的33千伏主变电站以及所有中压和低压变电站已通电，且选厂现已获得电力供应。
第一阶段 (C1) 证书签字将近完成，约75%已获签字并从建设移交至试车阶段。第二阶段试车 (预试车) 进展顺利，部分厂区 (破碎、过筛和选矿) 已完成超过90%。目前已率先展开第三阶段 试车，在部分厂区供水运行，检查有否泄漏并校准部分仪器及检查控制环。
回填厂的电气安装正在进行中。回填厂将于7月、在采矿作业需要膏体充填之前完工。
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。尾矿库的施工进度理想，按计划将会按时完工以接收来自选厂的尾矿。
第一序列选厂现已获得长期水电供应。
图片上部为第一序列380万吨/年选厂的三维鸟瞰图，图片下部显示工程基本上已竣工。红圈位置为第二序列选厂的球磨机和浮选车间的地基位置。
DRA选矿工程师Kelebogile Choku正在监督破碎和过筛车间的新建振动筛的试车工作。DRA的总部位于澳大利亚珀斯，是一家多样化的国际工程集团，是卡莫阿-卡库拉I期工程的EPCM (工程、采购和建筑管理) 承包商。
T3项目的仪器技工Kembo Mzemba在高压辊磨机连接投料仓的控制板。
破碎和过筛车间的振动筛开展试车工作。从左至右﹕DRA机械工程师Ernest de la Hunt、DRA项目经理Morne Kruger、DRA调试经理Aldo Groenewald及DRA高级项目经理Thys de Beer。
新培训的操作员在Outotec精矿过滤机前。从左至右﹕Prince Mwenilungena、Teddy Kangwe Kangombe、Sakisa Mazau Papy、Katsmiza Tshisonk、Kazadi Mwyombe Jordan及Makungu Mushika Idris。
第二序列380万吨/年选厂的土方和土木工程进展顺利，首批钢结构将于6月运抵现场
第二序列380万吨/年选厂 (II期) 施工进展顺利，目前正重点进行土方和土木工程，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。先期两批钢结构和三批钣金已制造完成并正在运送途中。首批钢材和钣金预计于2021年6月运抵现场。第一台长周期设备 (圆锥破碎机) 已抵达现场。
钢材、机械、管道和钣金的安装合同已签订，而电器、控制和仪表的安装合同预计快将达成协议。
第二序列浮选车间的地基建设正在快速推进。
关于第二序列选厂的浮选车间地基施工的快拍短视频，可通过此链接进行观看﹕https://vimeo.com/542354139/4847e933e8
第二序列球磨机的地基工程
第二序列高压辊磨机的地基工程。
丹麦跨国工程公司FLSmidth制造的四台全新大型圆盘过滤机在回填厂进行安装，用于对混合前的尾矿进行过滤。
卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿在I期运营期间的铜精矿销售协议即将达成
卡库拉预计将生产品位极高的清洁铜精矿 (铜品位超过55%)，它将是世界各地冶炼厂梦寐以求的产品。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%。
在I期生产的铜精矿承购协议即将达成，其中包括利用当地冶炼厂生产粗铜以及直接出口精矿的安排。
在收到最终文件以及卡莫阿-卡库拉合资企业伙伴和卡莫阿铜业的董事会批准后，艾芬豪将披露营销安排的细节。
承包商在建造一个大型的运输卡车停车场，卡车将卡莫阿-卡库拉的铜精矿运输到刚果 (金) 的冶炼厂以及港口后运送到国际市场。
卡莫阿-卡库拉的220千伏主变电站已接入清洁、可再生水电；Mwadingusha水电站的升级工程接近完成
2020年12月，卡莫阿-卡库拉连接的一条35公里长的220千伏双回路输电线，经科卢韦齐的西部调度 (Western Dispatch) 变电站与并入国家电网。卡莫阿-卡库拉的220千伏主变电站于3月25日起从国家电网获得电力供应，并于3月29日与两台33千伏变压器的第一台接电。
Mwadingusha水电站的6台新涡轮机中的3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。水电站的其它发电机组将陆续完工及进行调试。
卡莫阿-卡库拉的能源公司于4月份与刚果 (金) 国家电力公司签署英加二期水电站5号涡轮机组的升级改造协定。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水电站预计快将向国家电网提供78兆瓦的清洁电力。
英加二期水电站的5号涡轮机组 (红圈显示其压力管道) 升级后，将会产生额外的162兆瓦清洁电能。
继续实行COVID-19防疫及治疗措施，并以严格遵守 COVID安全规程为重点
卡莫阿-卡库拉矿山继续以防疫、防备及降低风险为重点，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COVID-19医院的主医疗大楼目前正进行扩建及升级工程，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-卡库拉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。
承包商Elie Ngox Tbhisola在卡莫阿医院新建的主医疗大楼施工。
黄昏时分，卡库拉营地员工宿舍的鸟瞰图。
卡莫阿-卡库拉建设100个新鱼塘，扩大可持续水产养殖的规模，提高当地居民的粮食安全和经济发展
卡莫阿-卡库拉正在卡莫阿-卡库拉矿山周边范围建设100个新鱼塘，将鱼塘的数量增加至137个，并计划再建设额外25个鱼塘，使总数达到162个。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。
新成立了20家公司，每家公司由5名当地社区的居民组成并拥有这些新建鱼塘的所有权。
卡莫阿-卡库拉可持续民生计划于2012年由艾芬豪矿业在英国的Eco-Livelihoods支持下建立，为卡莫阿-卡库拉附近14个社区的居民在经济权能方面做出了巨大的贡献。
关于100个新建鱼塘施工的短视频，可通过此链接进行观看﹕https://vimeo.com/542348642/9db311dae7
卡莫阿员工厨房的厨师Serge Lumbal使用当地社区农场生产的新鲜蔬菜，作为卡莫阿-卡库拉当地采购举措的一部分。
合资格人员
本新闻稿中关于卡莫阿-卡库拉项目开发方案的科学或技术性披露已经由史蒂夫·阿莫斯 (Steve Amos) 审查和批准，他凭借其教育、经验和专业协会会籍被认为是NI 43-101 标准下的合资格人。由于阿莫斯先生是卡莫阿项目的负责人，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、勘探程序和其他事项的信息。
关于艾芬豪矿业
艾芬豪矿业是一家加拿大的矿业公司，目前正推进旗下位于南部非洲的三大合资企业项目：位于刚果(金) 的卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿和位于南非的普拉特瑞夫 (Platreef) 钯-铂-镍-铜-铑-金矿的大型机械化地下矿山开发工程；以及同样位于刚果(金)、久富盛名的基普什 (Kipushi) 锌-铜-锗-银矿的大型重建和改善工程。
卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目预计于5月或6月初实现铜生产，并分阶段进行扩建，预计将会成为全球最大规模的铜生产商之一。卡莫阿-卡库拉和基普什将使用清洁、可再生的水电，并将成为世界上每单位金属温室气体排放量最低的矿山之一。同时，艾芬豪正在刚果(金)境内其全资拥有的、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于证券法所定义的“前瞻性陈述”或“前瞻性信息”。该等陈述及信息涉及已知和未知的风险、不明朗因素和其他因素，可能导致本公司的实际业绩、表现或成就、其项目或行业的业绩，与前瞻性陈述或信息所表达或暗示的任何未来业绩、表现或成就产生重大差异。该等陈述可通过文中使用“可能"、“将会”、“会”、“将要”、“打算”、“预期”、“相信”、“计划”、“预计”、“估计”、“安排”、“预测”、“预言”及其他类似用语，或者声明“可能”、“会”、“将会”、“可能会”或“将要”采取、发生或实现某些行动、事件或结果进行识别。这些陈述仅反映本公司于本新闻稿发布当日对于未来事件、表现和业绩的当前预期。
该等陈述包括但不限于下列事项的时间点和结果﹕ (i) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉将于一个月内实现铜生产的陈述；(ii) 关于第四阶段试车(选矿和首批铜精矿生产) 的目标日期将推前至5月底或6月初的陈述；(iii) 关于回填厂将选厂的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的陈述；(iv) 关于月度开采率已超越第一序列的选矿速率，预计卡莫阿-卡库拉的地表堆矿量将会继续增加，并且仅在第二序列选厂于2022年中投产时才会逐渐减少的陈述；(v) 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；(vi) 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；(vii)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；(viii) 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；(ix) 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；(x) 关于第二序列的首批钢材和钣金预计于2021年6月运抵现场的陈述； (xi) 关于矿山约一半的尾矿将被泵送回地下的陈述；(xii) 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即将达成的陈述；(xiii ) 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55%，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；(xiii) 关于Mwadingusha水电站全面翻新后预计将向国家电网提供约78 兆瓦电力的陈述；以及(xiv) 关于英加二期水电站5号涡轮机组升级后将产生162兆瓦的可再生水电，为卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目及冶炼厂提供长期的稳定电力以配合日后扩建计划的陈述。
此外，卡库拉最终可行性研究、卡库拉-卡索科预可行性研究及卡莫阿-卡库拉初步经济评估的所有结果，构成了前瞻性陈述或信息，并包括内部收益率的未来估算、净现值，未来产量、现金成本估算、建议采矿方案和方法、矿山寿命估计、现金流预测、金属回收率、资本和运营成本估算，以及项目分期开发的规模和时间点。另外，对于与卡莫阿-卡库拉项目开发有关的特定前瞻性信息，公司是基于某些不确定因素而作出假设和分析。不确定因素包括：(i) 基础设施的充足性；(ii) 地质特征；(iii) 矿化的冶金特征；(iv) 发展充足选矿产能的能力；(v) 铜价格；(vi) 完成开发所需的设备和设施的可用性；(vii) 消耗品和采矿及选矿设备的费用；(viii) 不可预见的技术和工程问题；(ix) 事故或破坏或恐怖主义行为；(x) 货币波动； (xi) 法例修订；(xii) 合资伙伴对协议条款的遵守情况；(xiii) 熟练劳工的人手和生产率；(xiv) 各政府机构对矿业的监管；(xv) 筹集足够资金以发展该等项目的能力；(xvi) 项目范围或设计更变；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，而且受本警戒性声明明确限制。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年年终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。