JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) President Marna Cloete and Chief Financial Officer David van Heerden are pleased to announce the financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022. Ivanhoe Mines is a leading Canadian mining company developing and expanding its four principal mining and exploration projects in Southern Africa: the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which commenced commercial production in July 2021; the Platreef palladium, rhodium, nickel, platinum, copper and gold discovery in South Africa; the historic Kipushi zinc-copper-lead-germanium mine in the DRC; and the expansive exploration program for new copper discoveries on Ivanhoe’s Western Foreland exploration licences, near Kamoa-Kakula. All figures are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Ivanhoe Mines recorded a profit of $5million for Q2 2022, compared to a loss of $108.6 million for the same period in 2021. The profit in the quarter includes Ivanhoe Mines’ share of profit and finance income from the Kamoa-Kakula joint venture of $84.6 million.
  • Kamoa-Kakula set a new quarterly production record during the period, with 87,314 tonnes of copper in concentrate produced. Commercial production from the Phase 2 concentrator was declared on April 7, 2022.
  • Ivanhoe Mines increases the lower end of its 2022 production guidance range for Kamoa-Kakula to between 310,000 and 340,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate following the early commissioning of the Phase 2 expansion.
  • Kamoa-Kakula’s cost of sales per pound (lb.) of payable copper sold was $1.15/lb. for Q2 2022, while cash costs (C1) per pound of payable copper produced totalled $1.42/lb., compared to $1.21/lb. and $1.28/lb. in Q1 2022 and Q4 2021 respectively.
  • Ivanhoe Mines reiterates its C1 cash cost guidance for Kamoa-Kakula of $1.20/lb. to $1.40/lb. for the calendar year 2022. C1 cash costs over the first six months of 2022 total $1.34/lb.
  • During Q2 2022, Kamoa Copper sold 85,794 tonnes of payable copper and recognized revenue of $494.1 million, with an operating profit of $253.1 million and an EBITDA of $286.3 million.
  • Kamoa Copper mined 1.66 million tonnes of ore grading 5.57% copper in Q2 2022, including 0.78 million tonnes grading 6.74% copper from the Kakula Mine’s high-grade centre.
  • Over the first half of 2022, Kamoa Copper milled approximately three million tonnes of ore at an average feed grade of 5.59% copper, and produced 142,916 tonnes of copper in concentrate.
  • After the end of Q2, Kamoa Copper set another new monthly production record, with 32,877 tonnes of copper produced in July, equivalent to an annualized production rate of 387,100 tonnes.
  • Kamoa Copper’s de-bottlenecking program is progressing to schedule. The program will increase the combined design processing capacity of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrators to approximately 9.2 million tonnes of ore per annum. Copper production from Kamoa-Kakula’s first two phases is projected to reach approximately 450,000 tonnes per annum by Q2 2023.
  • Basic engineering design for Kamoa Copper’s Phase 3, 5.0-million-tonne-per-annum concentrator is nearing completion with engineering and procurement activities underway. During June, orders were placed for the following long-lead items: ball mills, concentrate filters, cone crushers and flotation cells. The earthworks contract also has been placed.
  • Earthworks excavation for the Phase 3 direct-to-blister flash smelter is advancing quickly. In June, purchase orders were placed for the smelter’s slag-cleaning furnace and the anode refining furnaces.
  • Ivanhoe Mines has a strong balance sheet with cash and cash equivalents of $507.1 million as at June 30, 2022, and expects that Kamoa Copper’s operating and expansion capital expenditures on Phase 3 will be funded from copper sales and facilities at Kamoa-Kakula.
  • Ivanhoe continues its copper exploration program on its Western Foreland licences that cover approximately 2,407 square kilometres neighbouring the 400-square-kilometre Kamoa-Kakula mining licences. The extensive 2022 drilling program is well underway, with 39 diamond drill holes totalling 7,539 metres completed during the second quarter.
  • Lateral underground mine development on Platreef's 950-metre-level, towards the location of the first ventilation shaft position, progressed well during the quarter. Over 200-metres of lateral development has been completed since work commenced in April 2022.
  • Construction of Platreef’s first solar-power plant is scheduled to commence in Q3 2022, with commissioning expected in 2023. The electricity generated from this power plant will be used for mine development and construction activities, as well as for charging Platreef’s battery-powered underground mining fleet.
  • The Platreef 2022 Feasibility Study yields an after-tax NPV8% of $1.7 billion and IRR of 18.5% at long-term consensus metal prices. Based on spot metal prices at the time of the study (February 23, 2022), the after-tax NPV8% increases to $4.1 billion and the IRR increases to 29%.
     
  • In June 2022, Kipushi and Gécamines approved the development budget for the Kipushi Project in line with the 2022 Feasibility Study. Ordering of long-lead equipment and other construction activities now has commenced. Financing and offtake discussions are advancing with several interested parties.
  • The Kipushi 2022 Feasibility Study yields an after-tax NPV8% of $941 million and IRR of 40.9% at long-term consensus metal prices. At a zinc price of $1.60/lb. (the current zinc spot price), the after-tax NPV8% increases to $2.0 billion and the IRR increases to 68%.

Watch a July fly-over of mining and construction activities at Kamoa-Kakula: https://vimeo.com/739389126/d7bf137f91

 

Kamoa Copper undertaking optimization of logistics costs

Due to the early commissioning and highly successful ramp-up of the Phase 2 concentrator during Q2 2022, Kamoa Copper dispatched approximately 177,000 tonnes of copper concentrates, a significant increase on approximately 103,000 tonnes dispatched during Q1 2022.

Copper C1 cash costs per pound of payable copper for Q2 2022 were higher than Q1 2022 largely due to a 42% increase in logistics charges for the transportation of Kamoa-Kakula’s copper products.

The increase in logistics charges for the quarter were impacted by limitations in truck availability caused by the sharp increase in volumes, interrupted port operations at Durban caused by flooding, customs clearing times and border congestion between the DRC and Zambia, as well as higher diesel prices.

However, mine site operating costs are somewhat shielded from higher diesel prices, as site power is provided by the DRC national grid at a rate of approximately 6 cents per kilowatt hour, following the refurbishment of the Mwadingusha hydropower facility under a public-private partnership with Société Nationale d'Électricité (SNEL), the DRC state power utility company.

In addition, the Lualaba Copper Smelter located near Kolwezi, which is expected to treat approximately 150,000 tonnes of copper concentrates from Kamoa-Kakula annually, is undergoing scheduled maintenance that is expected to be completed in early September. Until then, Kamoa Copper’s concentrate production will be wholly transported and exported as copper concentrate (approximately 50% contained copper), without the expected quantity of blister copper (approximately 99% contained copper), thereby temporarily increasing logistics costs.

Kamoa Copper, working alongside its offtake partners, Zijin Mining and CITIC Metal as well as the government of the DRC, is undertaking several initiatives to optimize the transportation of Kamoa Copper’s products.

These activities include working with its offtake partners, logistics service providers and local entrepreneurs to increase regional trucking capacity, improving processes for clearing products for export and opening up alternative export borders between the DRC and Zambia. A second import-export border crossing recently was opened at Sakania, in addition to the existing border at Kasumbalesa, DRC.

Kamoa Copper is also working to increase flexibility to ship from a variety of ports, including Durban in South Africa, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Walvis Bay in Namibia and Beira in Mozambique, and longer-term to the port of Lobito in Angola.

A step-change improvement in cash costs of 10% to 20% is anticipated once Kamoa Copper’s on-site 500,000-tonne-per-annum, direct-to-blister flash smelter is commissioned as part of the Phase 3 expansion, expected by the end of 2024. This cash cost reduction is in large part due to the significant decrease in volumes shipped, with approximately 600,000 tonnes of blister copper product shipped (including local toll smelting) instead of approximately 1.3 million tonnes of copper concentrate. In addition, the smelter will generate valuable by-product credits from the sale of sulphuric acid, which is in deficit in the DRC Copperbelt.

 

Kakula Mine optimization work targeting grades towards 6% copper

Ongoing mining optimization work at the Kakula Mine is targeting improved head grade during the second half of 2022 towards 6% copper. Kamoa Copper is also evaluating additional material handling capacity at Kakula to increase mining rates to feed the de-bottlenecked Phase 1 and 2 processing capacity of 9.2 million tonnes of ore per annum, which will be incorporated into the Phase 3 expansion Pre-Feasibility Study scheduled for the end of the year.

While the near-term expansion of underground infrastructure at Kakula takes place, ore will be drawn periodically from the surface stockpiles to maximize copper production as the Phase 1 and 2 concentrators are currently operating in excess of design capacity. As at the end of June 2022, Kamoa-Kakula’s high- and medium-grade ore surface stockpiles totalled approximately 4.6 million tonnes at an estimated grade of 4.42% copper.

Management anticipates that the early commissioning of the Phase 2 concentrator plant in March 2022, approximately four months ahead of schedule, has enabled Kamoa Copper to increase the lower end of its full year 2022 production guidance from a range of between 290,000 to 340,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate, to between 310,000 and 340,000 tonnes.

Ivanhoe Mines’ President Marna Cloete commented: “Ivanhoe Mines is very well positioned to manage the current commodity-market volatility and industry-wide inflationary pressures, with a strong balance sheet, tier-one, low-cost mining assets, and an experienced management team. Kamoa-Kakula is the fastest-growing, highest-grade major copper complex on the planet, and will be a long-life, cornerstone supplier of critical, high-quality, low-carbon copper metal. We remain extremely confident in copper's mid-to-long term fundamentals as the world navigates the transition to clean energy. The increase in Kamoa Copper’s annual production guidance estimate is a further testament to the excellent work by the mine operations team during the Phase 1 and Phase 2 construction and ramp-up.

We are working closely with our partners to identify opportunities to improve the efficiency of Kamoa-Kakula’s concentrate transport and logistics to mitigate any further cost pressures over the coming quarters. We are confident we can work proactively alongside the government of Democratic Republic of Congo to identify potential infrastructure pathways that improve our trucking and shipping conditions. With respect to Kamoa-Kakula’s on-site costs, these have been largely insulated from the recent inflationary market conditions.”

 

Ivanhoe Mines to host conference call for investors on August 15

The company will hold an investor conference call to discuss the Q2 2022 financial results at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time / 7:30 a.m. Pacific time on August 15. The conference call dial-in is +1-647-484-0258 or toll free 1-800-289-0720, quote “Ivanhoe Mines Q2 2022 Financial Results” if requested. Media are invited to attend on a listen-only basis.

Link to join the live audio webcast: https://bit.ly/3I7kaCR

An audio webcast recording of the conference call, together with supporting presentation slides, will be available on Ivanhoe Mines’ website at www.ivanhoemines.com.

After issuance, the Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis will be available at www.ivanhoemines.com and at www.sedar.com.
 

Principal projects and review of activities

  1. Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex
    39.6%-owned by Ivanhoe Mines
    Democratic Republic of Congo

The Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex, operated as the Kamoa Copper joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining, has been independently ranked as the world’s fourth-largest copper deposit by international mining consultant Wood Mackenzie. The project is approximately 25 kilometres west of the town of Kolwezi and about 270 kilometres west of Lubumbashi. Kamoa-Kakula began producing copper in May 2021 and achieved commercial production on July 1, 2021.

Ivanhoe sold a 49.5% share interest in Kamoa Holding Limited (Kamoa Holding) to Zijin Mining and a 1% share interest in Kamoa Holding to privately owned Crystal River in December 2015. Kamoa Holding holds an 80% interest in the project. Since the conclusion of the Zijin transaction, each shareholder has been required to fund expenditures at Kamoa-Kakula in an amount equivalent to its proportionate shareholding interest. Ivanhoe and Zijin Mining each hold an indirect 39.6% interest in Kamoa-Kakula, Crystal River holds an indirect 0.8% interest, and the DRC government holds a direct 20% interest.

Construction of an additional scavenger-cleaner flotation cell at the Phase 1 concentrator, part of the de-bottlenecking program to boost copper production to approximately 450,000 tonnes per annum by Q2 2023.

Health and safety at Kamoa-Kakula

At the end of June 2022, Kamoa-Kakula reached 4,272,520 work hours free of a lost-time injury. Two lost-time injuries occurred underground at the Kakula Mine in Q2 2022. Kamoa Copper continues to strive toward its workplace objective of zero harm to all employees and contractors.

Nursing staff inside the new medical facility at the Kamoa Hospital.

 

Kamoa-Kakula summary of operating and financial data

  Q2 2022Q1 2022Q4 2021Q3 2021
Ore tonnes milled(000’s tonnes)1,9501,0831,059861
Copper ore grade processed(%)5.44%5.91%5.96%5.89%
Copper recovery(%)84.0%87.1%86.4%83.4%
Copper in concentrate produced(tonnes)87,31455,60254,48141,545
Payable copper sold(tonnes)85,794 51,91953,16541,490
      
Cost of sales per pound($ per pound)1.151.081.121.08
Cash cost (C1)($ per pound)1.42 1.211.281.37
      
Sales revenue before remeasurement($'000)699,381 467,453458,880355,022
Remeasurement of contract receivables($'000)(205,248)52,14229,656(12,438)
Sales revenue after remeasurement($'000)494,133 519,595488,536342,584
EBITDA($'000)286,313 399,391357,619233,212
EBITDA margin(%)58%77%73%68%

C1 cash costs are prepared on a basis consistent with the industry standard definitions by Wood Mackenzie cost guidelines, but are not measures recognized under IFRS. In calculating the C1 cash cost, the costs are measured on the same basis as the Company's share of profit from the Kamoa Holding joint venture that is contained in the financial statements. C1 cash costs are used by management to evaluate operating performance and includes all direct mining, processing, and general and administrative costs. Smelter charges and freight deductions on sales to final port of destination, which are recognized as a component of sales revenues, are added to C1 cash cost to arrive at an approximate cost of delivered, finished metal. C1 cash costs exclude royalties and production taxes and non-routine charges as they are not direct production costs.

C1 cash cost per pound of payable copper produced can be further broken down as follows:

  Q2 2022Q1 2022Q4 2021Q3 2021
Mining($ per lb.)0.390.300.270.36
Processing($ per lb.)0.140.150.170.16
Logistics charges (delivered to China)($ per lb.)0.510.360.370.35
Treatment, refining and smelter charges($ per lb.)0.210.200.240.21
General and administrative expenditure($ per lb.)0.170.200.230.29
C1 cash cost per pound of payable copper produced($ per lb.)1.421.211.281.37

All figures in the above tables are on a 100%-project basis. Metal reported in concentrate is prior to refining losses or deductions associated with smelter terms. This release includes EBITDA, “EBITDA margin” and "Cash costs (C1) per pound" which are non-GAAP financial performance measures. For a detailed description of each of the non-GAAP financial performance measures used herein, and a detailed reconciliation to the most directly comparable measure under IFRS, please refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures section of the Q2 2022 MD&A.

 

Record quarterly production of 87,314 tonnes of copper in Q2 2022

In late March 2022, Ivanhoe Mines announced that Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 2 concentrator plant began hot commissioning significantly ahead of schedule. First ore was introduced into the Phase 2 milling circuit on March 21, 2022, and first copper concentrate was produced approximately four months ahead of the originally announced development schedule. Commercial production from the Phase 2 concentrator was declared on April 7, 2022, while steady state production was achieved at the end of May 2022. During June 2022, copper recoveries were averaging more than 86%, with feed grades averaging approximately 5.5% copper.

Kamoa-Kakula set a new quarterly production record in the second quarter of 2022 with 87,314 tonnes of copper in concentrate produced, up from 55,602 tonnes of copper in concentrate produced in Q1 2022 and 54,481 tonnes of copper in concentrate produced in the fourth quarter of 2021. A total of 1.95 million ore tonnes were milled during the second quarter of 2022 at an average feed grade of 5.44% copper.

Over the first half of 2022, Kamoa-Kakula milled approximately three million tonnes of ore at an average feed grade of 5.59% copper, and produced 142,916 tonnes of copper in concentrate.

 

Phase 1 and Phase 2 debottlenecking project to boost throughput to 9.2 million tonnes of ore per year remains on schedule

Kamoa Copper’s previously announced de-bottlenecking program is also progressing on schedule to increase the combined design processing capacity of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrator plants to approximately 9.2 million tonnes per annum (from 7.6 million tonnes per annum).

After successfully commissioning and operating the Phase 1 and 2 concentrators, the Kamoa-Kakula team identified several relatively minor modifications that are expected to increase ore throughput from the current design of 475 tonnes per hour to approximately 580 tonnes per hour. These modifications include increasing the diameter of several pipes, replacing several motors and pumps with larger ones and installing additional flotation, concentrate-thickening, concentrate-filtration and tailings-disposal capacity. Detailed planning is underway to maximize the use of planned maintenance shutdowns of the concentrators for the installation of the new debottlenecking equipment, which is expected to take place later this year.

Once completed in the second quarter of 2023, the de-bottlenecking program will enable the copper production from Kamoa-Kakula’s first two phases to reach approximately 450,000 tonnes per annum, positioning Kamoa Copper as the world’s fourth largest copper producer.

Construction is advancing well on the additional tailings thickener at Kamoa-Kakula's Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrator plants as part of the de-bottlenecking program.


Civil works are also advancing well for the planned installation of a fourth Larox filter press at Kamoa-Kakula's concentrate warehouse.

Safety Officer Franck Katende inspects construction of additional scavenger cleaner flotation capacity at the Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrator plants.

Phase 3 Pre-Feasibility Study nearing completion

The Pre-Feasibility Study for the Phase 3 expansion is expected to be announced towards the end of this year. Kamoa-Kakula's Phase 3 will consist of two new underground mines, known as Kamoa 1 and Kamoa 2. A new, 5-million-tonne-per-annum concentrator plant will also be established adjacent to the two new mines at Kamoa. In addition, Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 3 expansion includes a 500,000-tonne-per-annum, direct-to-blister flash smelter to produce approximately 99% copper metal, and the replacement of Turbine #5 at the Inga II hydroelectric power station. The turbine replacement will supply an additional 178-megawatts (MW) of clean hydroelectric power to the national grid.

Figure 1: Kamoa-Kakula’s base-case, pro-forma Phase 3 copper production (after de-bottlenecking of Phase 1 and 2 is complete) relative to the world’s projected top 10 producing mines in 2022 by payable copper production.

Source: company filings, Wood Mackenzie (April 2022). Note: Kamoa-Kakula production of 600 kt copper in concentrate is based on expected Phase 1, 2 and 3 steady state production, following de-bottlenecking of both Phase 1 and 2 concentrators, and commercial ramp-up of the Phase 3 concentrator.

Figure 2: Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 mine, processing plants and infrastructure layout.

 

Phase 3 basic engineering nearing completion, procurement activities have commenced

Basic engineering design for the Phase 3, 5-million-tonne-per-annum concentrator plant, smelter and associated infrastructure is nearing completion. Procurement activities have commenced with the following long-lead order items placed in June: ball mills, concentrate filters, cone crushers and flotation cells. The earthworks contract has also recently been placed. The associated power and surface infrastructure for Phase 3 will be designed to support future expansions.

Following the commissioning of Phase 3, expected by the end of 2024, Kamoa-Kakula will have a total processing capacity of more than 14 million tonnes per annum. The completion of Phase 3 is expected to increase copper production capacity to approximately 600,000 tonnes per annum. This production rate will position Kamoa-Kakula as the world’s third-largest copper mining complex, and the largest on the African continent.

Phase 3 boxcut for the new Kamoa 1 and Kamoa 2 underground mines nearing completion, excavation of the twin declines advancing rapidly

Construction is nearing completion on the Phase 3 box cut and decline ramp at the Kamoa 1 and Kamoa 2 mines, while excavation of the twin declines to access Phase 3 mining areas also is advancing well. Construction works for the ramp, cut-off drains, and water-collection sumps are well advanced.

Construction progress on the new twin declines is advancing rapidly at the Kamoa 1 and Kamoa 2 mines.

Machine operator Serge Muteba at work on a new tunnel connection at the Kamoa 1 and Kamoa 2 twin declines.


Basic engineering complete and initial long-lead equipment ordered for Kamoa-Kakula’s direct-to-blister flash smelter

Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 3 expansion includes a 500,000-tonne-per-annum, direct-to-blister flash smelter to produce approximately 99% copper metal, and the replacement of Turbine #5 at the Inga II hydroelectric power station. The turbine replacement will supply an additional 178-megawatts (MW) of clean hydroelectric power to the national grid.

Earthworks excavation at the smelter site is progressing well, adjacent to Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrator plants, with bush clearing and top-soil stripping well advanced.

In June, purchase orders were placed for the smelter’s slag cleaning furnace, anode refining furnaces and electrostatic precipitators, while basic engineering on the smelter design has been completed.

The Kamoa-Kakula smelter uses technology supplied by Metso Outotec of Espoo, Finland, and meets the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) emissions standards. The smelter has been sized to process most of the copper concentrate forecast to be produced by Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 concentrators.

Phase 3 and the smelter will be powered by hydroelectricity generated from the 178-MW Inga II hydro facility, which is currently undergoing refurbishment, at a cost of approximately 6 cents per kilowatt hour.

Smelter civil works (as part of the earthworks package), including the erection of concrete retaining walls, now are well underway.


Geotechnical drilling is underway in preparation of construction of the main structure for Kamoa-Kakula's direct-to-blister flash smelter.

 

Draw-down of surface ore stockpiles has commenced; stockpiles hold approximately 4.6 million tonnes grading 4.42% copper, containing more than 201,000 tonnes of copper

Kamoa-Kakula’s total high- and medium-grade ore surface stockpiles totalled approximately 4.6 million tonnes at an estimated grade of 4.42% copper as of the end of June 2022. The operation mined 1.66 million tonnes of ore grading 5.51% copper in Q2 2022, which was comprised of 1.62 million tonnes grading 5.57% copper from the Kakula Mine, including 0.78 million tonnes grading 6.74% copper from the mine’s high-grade centre.

Surface ore stockpiles contained more than 201,000 tonnes of copper as of the end of June 2022.


Kamoa-Kakula delivering Phase 1 and 2 copper concentrate and blister under off-take agreements

During the quarter, Kamoa Copper entered into an amendment to the existing off-take agreements for Phase 1 copper concentrate with CITIC Metal (HK) Limited (CITIC Metal) and Gold Mountains (H.K.) International Mining Company Limited, a subsidiary of Zijin, which includes the additional production volumes from Phase 2. The revised off-take agreements with CITIC Metal and Gold Mountains are evergreen for 50% each of the production volumes from Phase 1 and 2, and include both copper concentrate and blister copper resulting from processing of Kamoa-Kakula’s copper concentrates at the nearby Lualaba Copper Smelter.

Kamoa Copper also recently entered into a third off-take agreement with Trafigura Pte. Ltd. (Trafigura) for a fixed volume of Kamoa-Kakula’s concentrate production from 2022 to 2024, with such volume re-allocated on a pro-rata basis from CITIC Metal and Zijin.

Trafigura is one of the largest physical commodities trading groups in the world, and has significant experience in managing commodity logistics flows on the African continent.

All three off-takers are purchasing either the copper concentrate at the Kamoa-Kakula Mine or the blister copper at the Lualaba Copper Smelter on a free-carrier basis, meaning the buyers are responsible for arranging freight and shipment to the final destination, which is reimbursed on an open-book basis.

Kamoa Copper’s concentrates and blister copper are exported via the ports of Durban in South Africa and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, and to a lesser extent Walvis Bay in Namibia and Beira in Mozambique.

 

Inga II partnership to supply additional clean hydroelectric power for the Phase 3 expansion and smelter; EPC contract signed for Turbine #5 refurbishment

In July 2021, Ivanhoe Mines Energy DRC, a sister company of Kamoa Copper tasked with delivering reliable, clean, renewable hydropower to Kamoa-Kakula, signed an addendum of the financing agreement under a public-private partnership with the Democratic Republic of Congo's state-owned power company, La Société Nationale d'Electricité (SNEL), to upgrade a major turbine (#5) at the existing Inga II hydropower facility on the Congo River.

It was this same partnership that successfully refurbished the Mwadingusha hydropower plant in 2021, which now supplies approximately 78 MW of power into the Democratic Republic of Congo's national grid.

The Inga II project is expected to produce an additional 178 MW of renewable hydropower, providing Kamoa-Kakula and its associated smelter with sustainable electricity for Phase 3 and future expansions, while also benefitting local communities. The Inga II upgrade project is scheduled for completion in Q4 of 2024.

The work at Turbine #5 will include the upgrade and replacement of all the unit line from intake equipment, turbine, speed governor, alternator, voltage regulator and transformers (water to wire).

The Inga II Turbine #5 project has much lower unitary capital cost per megawatt produced ($0.58/MW) compared to the completed Mwadingusha project ($1.45/MW). The engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for the upgrading of Turbine #5 was signed in Heidenheim, Germany, on April 26, 2022, by SNEL and Voith Hydro, a leading German hydropower company.

Rehabilitation work under the private-public partnership now is underway to refurbish Turbine #5 at the Inga II hydropower facility.

 

Empowering local communities through sustainable development

Ivanhoe Mines founded the Sustainable Livelihoods Program in 2010 to strengthen food security and farming capacity in the host communities near Kamoa-Kakula. Today, approximately 900 community farmers are benefiting from the program, producing high-quality food for their families and selling the surplus for additional income. Sustainable Livelihoods commenced with maize and vegetable production, and now includes fruit, aquaculture, poultry and honey.

The banana plantation project began in 2018 and now consists of 11 hectares of banana trees. The 27 women from local communities who own this project harvested and sold more than 350 kilograms of bananas in July 2022.

Farmers from the local communities of Tshomeka, Katayi and Mundjendje harvesting bananas in July 2022.

Construction of additional livestock farming facilities is underway and planned to be completed in October. Together with the aquaculture project –comprised of approximately 140 fishponds with plans for the construction of another 100 new ponds – the livestock farm will significantly contribute toward local entrepreneurship and enhanced regional food security.

Construction of a health clinic at Muvunda Village has been completed and equipping of the facility is underway. Construction of a church at Tshilongo Village is approximately 60% complete. Kamoa-Kakula continued its support for the adult literacy training program, being implemented by a group of community participants who have been trained as facilitators.

Implementation of the first regulatory five-year community development plan, the Cahier des Charges, which provides $8.6 million towards educational, healthcare, agricultural, potable water provision, and other initiatives, is well underway. Construction of two early childhood development centres, planned for operation in September 2022, is nearing completion. The associated curriculum has been developed and is ready for implementation, thereby enabling access to these formative educational programs for the first time in the region. The Mupenda aquaculture project and the Muvunda poultry project also have been launched, and the planning and design of two rural community health centres has progressed well.

Local community enterprise programs continued, including the expansion of the brick-making and sewing facilities, as well as landscaping and gardening, which are under review seeking to enhance business efficiency and growth. An order has been placed for a new brick-making machine, which will see the production capacity double the average production to approximately 120,000 bricks per month. The extension of the sewing facility aims to double the current average monthly production rate of approximately 600 items of personal protective equipment.

Construction of a health clinic at the local community of Muvunda has been completed and equipping of the facility is underway.

 

Copper Production and Cash Cost Guidance for 2022

The Kamoa-Kakula Phase 2, 3.8 million tonne per annum concentrator plant successfully declared commercial production on April 7, 2022. First ore was introduced into the Phase 2 milling circuit on March 21, 2022, with first copper concentrate produced approximately four months ahead of the originally announced development schedule. Management expects that with the early commissioning of the Phase 2 concentrator plant, Kamoa-Kakula will be able to deliver the upper end of its original 2022 copper production guidance of 290,000 to 340,000 tonnes. As a result, Ivanhoe Mines increases its 2022 production guidance range for Kamoa-Kakula to between 310,000 and 340,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate.

Kamoa-Kakula produced a total of 87,314 tonnes of copper in concentrate in Q2 2022, and 55,602 tonnes in the first quarter of 2022. The figures are on a 100% project basis and metal reported in concentrate is prior to refining losses, or deductions associated with smelter terms. Guidance involves estimates of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different.

Cash costs (C1) per pound of payable copper amounted to $1.42 for the second quarter of 2022, as compared to $1.21 and $1.28 in the first quarter of 2022 and the last quarter of 2021 respectively.

Cash costs for the second quarter included a significant increase in off-site concentrate transportation and logistics charges, which is projected to continue during the third quarter as a result of the ongoing maintenance at the Lualaba Copper Smelter and as Kamoa Copper and its partners implement logistical optimizations.

The previously announced cash cost (C1) per pound guidance for the 2022 financial year of $1.20 to $1.40 per pound remains unchanged. Cash cost is projected to come in at the upper end of the guidance range, subject to logistics costs easing in the fourth quarter.

Cash costs (C1) is a non-GAAP measure used by management to evaluate operating performance and includes all direct mining, processing, and general and administrative costs. Smelter charges and freight deductions on sales to final port of destination (typically China), which are recognized as a component of sales revenues, are added to C1 cash cost to arrive at an approximate cost of delivered finished metal.

For historical comparatives, see the Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures section of this news release.

A breakdown of realized and provisionally priced copper production is as follows:

At the end of June 2022 there was an outstanding balance of 125,673 tonnes of provisionally priced copper in concentrate. Following the recent decline in the copper price, a remeasurement of $205 million was made to account for the change in copper price at period end.

  Q2 2022Q1 2022
Realized payable copper(1)(tonnes)50,64253,056
Realized copper price(1)($ per lb.)4.344.51
New provisionally priced payable copper(2)(tonnes)85,794 51,919
Average price of new provisionally priced copper($ per lb.)4.32 4.54
Copper price for remeasurement (mark-to-market) of provisional sales at period end($ per lb.)3.794.69
Outstanding balance of provisionally priced payable copper(3)(tonnes)125,673 90,544

Notes: (1) Payable copper that was provisionally priced in prior quarters and settled during the quarter. (2) Provisionally priced payable copper sold is subject to final pricing over the next several months. (3) Outstanding balance is made up of new provisionally priced payable copper from the current quarter, with the balance from the previous quarter.

 

  1. Platreef Project
    64%-owned by Ivanhoe Mines
    South Africa

The Platreef Project is owned by Ivanplats (Pty) Ltd (Ivanplats), which is 64%-owned by Ivanhoe Mines. A 26% interest is held by Ivanplats’ historically disadvantaged, broad-based, black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) partners, which include 20 local host communities with approximately 150,000 people, project employees and local entrepreneurs. A Japanese consortium of ITOCHU Corporation, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, and Japan Gas Corporation, owns a 10% interest in Ivanplats, which it acquired in two tranches for a total investment of $290 million.

The Platreef Project hosts an underground deposit of thick, platinum-group metals, nickel, copper and gold mineralization on the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex in Limpopo Province – approximately 280 kilometres northeast of Johannesburg and eight kilometres from the town of Mokopane.

On the Northern Limb, platinum-group metals mineralization is primarily hosted within the Platreef, a mineralized sequence traced for more than 30 kilometres along strike. Ivanhoe’s Platreef Project, within the Platreef’s southern sector, is comprised of two contiguous properties: Turfspruit and Macalacaskop. Turfspruit, the northernmost property, is contiguous with, and along strike from, Anglo Platinum’s Mogalakwena group of mining operations and properties.

Since 2007, Ivanhoe has focused its exploration and development activities on defining and advancing the down-dip extension of its original discovery at Platreef, now known as the Flatreef Deposit, which is amenable to highly mechanized, underground mining methods. With Shaft 1, the initial access to the deposit, now in operation and hoisting development rock from underground, Ivanhoe is focusing on construction activities to bring Phase 1 of Platreef into production by Q3 2024.

Aerial view of the Platreef project showcasing latest construction activities, with Shaft 1 on the right, Shaft 2 hitch-to-collar construction on the left, and the radial stacker in the foreground.

 

Health and safety at Platreef

As at the end of June 2022, the Platreef Project reached 1,243,146 lost-time, injury-free hours worked.

 

Shaft 1 changeover to a production shaft completed, lateral underground mine development progressing well

Shaft equipping was successfully completed in March 2022, with Shaft 1 now fully commissioned for Phase 1 mining as planned. Following the completion of this changeover initial development started on the 950-metre level in April 2022. Underground development work is focused on establishing the waste passes from the 750-metre and the 850-metre levels to the 950-metre level, installing the required underground infrastructure on the various stations, developing towards the first reef and stoping areas, as well as developing towards the first ventilation shaft location. Mine development on the 950-metre level progressed well with more than 200 metres of development successfully completed during the quarter. Mining on the 750-metre level and the 850-metre level will commence in Q3 and Q4 of 2022. 

Ivanplats’ initial order with Epiroc of Stockholm, Sweden, for its primary mining fleet includes emissions-free, battery-electric jumbo face drill rigs, 14-tonne battery-electric scooptrams, battery-electric bolting rigs and 42-tonne battery-electric dump trucks. The first ordered fleet has been delivered, slung down and are progressing with lateral underground development.

Construction of Platreef’s first solar-power plant is scheduled to commence in Q3 2022, with commissioning expected in 2023. The solar-generated power from the plant will be used for mine development and construction activities, as well as for charging Platreef’s battery-powered underground mining fleet.

A battery electric ST14 Scooptram from Epiroc operating underground at Platreef. Mine development on the 950-metre-level progressed well in Q2 2022.

 

Shaft 2 headgear construction from hitch to collar successfully completed

The 10m diameter Shaft 2, which will be the among the largest hoisting shafts on the African continent, is on the critical path for the future Phase 2 expansion of Platreef. Following the completion of the 26m concrete hitch to collar construction in August 2022, Ivanplats plans to continue with the construction of the 103-metre-tall concrete headgear (headframe) which will house the shaft’s permanent personnel and rock hoisting facilities. The pilot drilling required for the raise bore center hole of the shaft and the commencement of the sliding of the headframe are both planned to commence before the end of 2022. This will allow for optionality in bringing forward the timeline of Phase 2 production.

Shaft 2 headgear construction from hitch to collar (in red circle) now is complete.

 

Outstanding results of Platreef 2022 Feasibility Study

On February 28, 2022, Ivanhoe Mines announced the results of a new independent feasibility study for the Platreef Project (Platreef 2022 FS). The Platreef 2022 FS is based on a two-phased development to a steady-state production rate of 5.2 million tonnes per annum, and is the current execution plan for the Platreef Project.

Highlights of the Platreef 2022 FS include:

  • The Platreef 2022 FS evaluates the phased development of Platreef, with an initial 700,000-tonne-per-annum underground mine and a 770,000-tonne-per-annum capacity concentrator, targeting high-grade mining areas close to Shaft 1, with an initial capital cost of $488 million.
  • First concentrate production for Phase 1 is planned for Q3 2024, with the Phase 2 expansion based on the commissioning of Shaft 2 in 2027, followed by the commissioning of two 2.2-million-tonne-per-annum concentrators in 2028 and 2029. This would increase the steady-state production to 5.2 million tonnes per annum by using Shaft 2 as the primary production shaft.
  • Expansion capital cost for Phase 2 is estimated at $1.5 billion, which may be partially funded by cash flows from Phase 1 and a project-financing package.
  • Ivanplats’ dedicated engineering teams and leading consultants are evaluating optimizations to the sinking methodology for Shaft 2 to further accelerate the availability of the shaft for hoisting, which may fast track the overall development timeline.
  • Phase 1 average annual production of 113,000 ounces (oz.) of palladium, rhodium, platinum, and gold (3PE+Au), plus 5 million pounds of nickel and 3 million pounds of copper.
  • Phase 2 average annual production of 591,000 oz. of 3PE+Au, plus 26 million pounds of nickel and 16 million pounds of copper, which would rank Platreef as the fifth largest primary PGM producer on a palladium equivalent basis.
  • Life-of-mine cash cost of $514 per ounce of 3PE+Au, net of by-products, and including sustaining capital costs, would rank Platreef as the industry’s lowest cost primary PGM producer.
  • After-tax net present value at an 8% discount rate (NPV8%) of $1.7 billion and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 18.5%, based on long-term consensus prices.

Figure 3: Production and timeline schematic from the Platreef 2022 Feasibility Study.

Figure 4: World’s largest precious metal deposits under development ranked by contained metal in Measured and Indicated Resources.



Source: company filings, S&P Global Market Intelligence. Notes: Chart ranks the largest undeveloped primary palladium, platinum, gold, silver and rhodium projects from the S&P Global Market Intelligence database based on measured and indicated palladium equivalent resource. Palladium equivalent calculation includes palladium, platinum, gold, silver and rhodium ounces and has been calculated using spot price metal price assumptions (February 23, 2022) of US$1,095/oz. platinum, US$2,480/oz. palladium, US$18,750/oz. rhodium, US$1,909/oz. gold and US$24.55/oz. silver. Measured and Indicated resources for Platreef correspond to palladium, platinum, gold and rhodium ounces at a 1 g/t cut-off grade.



Platreef development currently funded by $300-million stream financing with efforts to finalize additional senior debt facility well underway

In December 2021, Ivanplats entered a gold, palladium and platinum stream financing with Orion Mine Finance, a leading international provider of customized financing to mining companies, and Nomad Royalty Company, a precious metals royalty company, in which Orion Mine Finance is a significant shareholder (Orion Mine Finance and Nomad Royalty Company, together, the Stream Purchasers). Ivanplat’s current Phase 1 development costs are being funded by the first prepayment of $75 million received in December 2021 following the closing of the transaction, with a further $225 million expected to be paid upon satisfaction of certain conditions precedent during the Q3 2022. Both the gold stream facility, and palladium and platinum stream facility, will be subordinated to any senior secured financing.

The senior debt facility of up to $150 million is anticipated to be used only after the stream facilities are fully drawn. Ivanplats remains flexible to raise additional debt or equity later, and has pre-agreed with the Stream Purchasers the inter-creditor arrangements for any future senior debt. While the stream facilities are guaranteed by Ivanplats and secured over the assets and Ivanhoe’s shares of Platreef, there is no recourse to Ivanhoe Mines.

 

Supply of bulk power to Platreef (100 MVA)

Final agreements for the 100 megavolt-amperes (MVA) power supply from Eskom, the South African public electricity utility, were signed during Q2 2022 and the construction permit was received. Construction of the overhead line has commenced, and fabrication of the pylons is progressing. The bulk power project is scheduled for completion in Q4 2023. 

 

Platreef continues focus on community development, human resources, and job training

Implementation of Platreef’s second Social and Labour Plan (SLP) is underway. Ivanplats plans to build on the first SLP and continue with its training and development suite, including: 15 new mentorship initiatives; internal skills training for 78 staff members; a legends program to prepare retiring employees with new/other skills; community adult education training for host community members; core technical skills training for at least 100 community members; portable skills training, and more. Platreef also continues to support several educational programs and provide free Wi-Fi in host communities.

The first cadetship program, providing learnership opportunities to over 50 local students, was successfully completed. Selection is underway for the 50 beneficiaries of the second cadetship program, planned to commence in October 2022. Through this program, youth from the local community are afforded the opportunity to obtain a National Certificate in Health and Safety, as well as mining competencies, such as utility vehicle operations from the Murray & Roberts Training Academy. The cadetship program seeks to enhance gender diversity within the mine’s workforce, targeting a minimum of 50% female representatives in the program. The first program successfully included 54% female students.

Local economic development projects will contribute to community water-source development through the Mogalakwena Municipality boreholes program. Activities undertaken include the tender process for the Ga-Magongoa community, as well as the launch of the social survey for the other five communities in preparation for the next phase of the water project. Other planned SLP projects, which will be conducted in partnership with other parties, include the refurbishment and equipping of a health clinic in Tshamahansi Village.

The enterprise-and-supplier development commitments comprise of expanding the existing kiosk and laundry facilities. New equipment has been installed at the laundry facilities, which increased capacity allows for service of the laundry needs of both the company and all on-site contractors. The planned kiosk expansion project will incorporate three separate facilities on site. The process of identifying local entrepreneurs to manage the kiosks is underway.

  1. Kipushi Project
    68%-owned by Ivanhoe Mines
    Democratic Republic of Congo

The Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver-lead mine in the DRC is adjacent to the town of Kipushi and approximately 30 kilometres southwest of Lubumbashi. It is located on the Central African Copperbelt, approximately 250 kilometres southeast of the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex and less than one kilometre from the Zambian border. Ivanhoe acquired its 68% interest in the Kipushi Project in November 2011, through Kipushi Holding that is 100%-owned by Ivanhoe Mines. The balance of 32% in the Kipushi Project is held by the state-owned mining company, Gécamines.

Kipushi Holding and Gécamines have signed a new agreement to return the ultra-high-grade Kipushi Mine back to commercial production. Kipushi will be the world’s highest-grade major zinc mine, with an average grade of 36.4% zinc over the first five years of production.

Activities in 2022 to date includes the award of the mining contract for early works, repair of underground access roads required for future workings and recruitment of the key staff required for development.

In June 2022, Kipushi Holding together with Gécamines, approved the development budget for the Kipushi Project in line with the Kipushi 2022 Feasibility Study. Ordering of long-lead equipment is in process and early works construction activities now have commenced. Financing and offtake discussions are advancing with several interested parties.

Highlights of the new agreement include:

  • Kipushi Holding will transfer 6% of the share capital and voting rights in the Kipushi Project to Gécamines, after which Kipushi Holding and Gécamines will hold 62% and 38%, respectively.
  • From January 25, 2027, 5% of the share capital and voting rights in the Kipushi Project will be transferred from Kipushi Holding to Gécamines, after which Kipushi Holding and Gécamines will hold 57% and 43%, respectively.
  • If, after the 6% and 5% transfers, part of the Kipushi Project’s share capital is required to be transferred to the State or to any third party pursuant to an applicable legal or regulatory provision, Gécamines will transfer the number of the Kipushi Project shares required, and Kipushi Holding will retain 57% ownership in the Kipushi Project.
  • Once a minimum of the current proven and probable reserves and up to 12 million tonnes has been mined and processed, an additional 37% of the share capital and voting rights in the Kipushi Project will be transferred from Kipushi Holding to Gécamines, after which Kipushi Holding and Gécamines will hold 20% and 80%, respectively.
  • A new supervisory board and executive committee will be established with appropriate shareholder representation.
  • Initiatives will be implemented, focusing on the development of Congolese employees, including individual development, the identification of future leaders, succession planning and the promotion of gender equality across the workforce.
  • A framework for tendering for the offtake of zinc concentrates produced by the Kipushi Mine has been established, which includes Gécamines’ participation.
  • Kipushi Holding will continue to fund the Kipushi Project with the shareholder loan and/or procure financing from third parties for the development of the project. The interest on the shareholder loan will be 6%, which will be applicable from January 1, 2022, on the existing balance and any further advances. Under the terms of the current shareholder loan agreement, the shareholder loan carries interest of LIBOR plus 4%, which is applicable to 80% of the advanced amounts with the remaining 20% interest-free. As of June 30, 2022, the balance of the shareholder loan owing to Kipushi Holding, including accrued interest, was approximately $557 million.

 

Health and safety at Kipushi

At the end of June 2022, the Kipushi Project reached 4,803,537 work hours free of lost-time injuries. It has been more than three and a half years since the last lost-time injury occurred at the project. 

 

Community enrichment and development

The Kipushi Project has built a new potable water station to provide a free daily supply of water to the municipality of Kipushi. This daily supply to the Kipushi municipality community members includes power supply, disinfectant chemicals, routine maintenance, security and emergency repair of leaks to the primary reticulation to the benefit of an estimated 100,000 people. Approximately 1,000 cubic metres of potable water is pumped hourly and continuously to consumers on a daily basis.

50 boreholes of potable water are planned to be drilled around the Kipushi district over five years, to reach areas not served by current distribution. Four new water wells have been drilled, bringing the total to 16 solar-powered potable water wells, which have been installed by the Kipushi Project in the district.

The Kipushi Project continues to support educational initiatives through ongoing renovations at the Mungoti School, and the granting of bursaries and scholarships to students from Kipushi. A local orphanage was presented with a donation of books. Over 300 local beneficiaries are participating in an adult literacy and education program this year after the program resumed with physical classes following a two-year interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Kipushi feasibility study issued, heralding the planned re-start of the historic mine, with a two-year development timeline and exceptional economic results

On February 14, 2022, Ivanhoe Mines announced the positive findings of an independent, feasibility study for the planned resumption of commercial production at Kipushi.

The Kipushi 2022 Feasibility Study is based on a two-year construction timeline, which utilizes the significant existing surface and underground infrastructure to allow for substantially lower capital costs than comparable development projects. The estimated pre-production capital cost, including contingency, is $382 million.

The Kipushi 2022 Feasibility Study focuses on the mining of Kipushi’s zinc-rich Big Zinc and Southern Zinc zones, with an estimated 11.8 million tonnes of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources grading 35.3% zinc. Kipushi’s exceptional zinc grade is more than twice that of the world’s next-highest-grade zinc project, according to Wood Mackenzie, a leading, international industry research and consulting group (see Figure 5).

Figure 5: World’s top 10 zinc projects, by contained zinc.

Source: Wood Mackenzie, January 2022. Note: All tonnes and metal grades of individual metals used in the equivalency calculation of the above-mentioned projects (except for Kipushi) are based on public disclosure and have been compiled by Wood Mackenzie. All metal grades have been converted by Wood Mackenzie to a zinc equivalent grade at Wood Mackenzie’s respective long-term price assumptions.

The Kipushi 2022 Feasibility Study envisages the recommencement of underground mining operations, and the construction of a new concentrator facility on surface with annual processing capacity of 800,000 tonnes of ore, producing on average 240,000 tonnes of zinc contained in concentrate.

Highlights of the 2022 feasibility study results for the Kipushi Mine include:

  • The Kipushi 2022 Feasibility Study evaluates the development of an 800,000-tonne-per-annum underground mine and concentrator, with an increased resource base compared to the pre-feasibility study, extending the mine life to 14 years.
  • Existing surface and underground infrastructure allow for significantly lower capital costs than comparable development projects, with the principal development activity being the construction of a conventional concentrator facility and new supporting infrastructure on surface in a two-year timeline.
  • Pre-production capital costs, including contingency, estimated at $382 million.
  • Life-of-mine average zinc production of 240,000 tonnes per annum, with a zinc grade of 32%, is expected to rank Kipushi among the world’s major zinc mines (Figure 5), once in production, with the highest grade by some margin.
  • Life-of-mine average C1 cash cost of $0.65/lb. of zinc is expected to rank Kipushi, once in production, in the second quartile of the cash cost curve for zinc producers globally.
  • At a long-term zinc price of $1.20/lb., the after-tax net present value (NPV) at an 8% real discount rate is $941 million, with an after-tax real internal rate of return (IRR) of 40.9% and project payback period of 2.3 years.

The Kipushi 2022 Feasibility Study was independently prepared on a 100%-project basis by OreWin Pty. Ltd., MSA Group (Pty.) Ltd., SRK Consulting (Pty) Ltd. and METC Engineering.

Kipushi mining crews installing support bolts for cables and water pipes using a boom basket.

 

Recently upgraded underground mine with easy access to stopes allows for rapid production ramp-up

Mining at Kipushi historically has been carried out from the surface to a depth of approximately 1,220 metres. Shaft 5 (P5) is planned to be the main production shaft with a maximum hoisting capacity of 1.8 million tonnes per annum and provides the primary access to the lower levels of the mine, including the Big Zinc Zone, through the 1,150-metre haulage level.

Mining will be performed using highly productive, mechanized methods and cemented rock fill will be utilized to fill open stopes. Material generated underground will be trucked to the base of the P5 shaft, crushed and hoisted to surface. Personnel and equipment access also are via the P5 shaft. The Big Zinc Zone will be accessed by way of the existing decline, without significant new development required. As the existing decline already is below the first planned stoping level, it is relatively quick to develop the first zinc stopes for the ramp up of mine production.

Figure 6: Schematic section of Kipushi Mine.Shaft 5 (P5) is planned to be the main production shaft with a maximum hoisting capacity of 1.8 million tonnes per annum.

  1. Western Foreland Exploration Project
    90%- and 100%-owned by Ivanhoe Mines
    Democratic Republic of Congo

Ivanhoe’s DRC exploration group is targeting Kamoa-Kakula-style copper mineralization through a regional exploration and drilling program on its Western Foreland exploration licences, located to the north, south and west of the Kamoa-Kakula Project. Ivanhoe’s Western Foreland Exploration Project consists of 17 licences that cover a combined area of approximately 2,407 square kilometres.

Exploration models that successfully led to the discoveries of Kakula, Kakula West, and the Kamoa North Bonanza Zone on the Kamoa Copper SA mining licence, are being applied to the Western Foreland extensive land package by the same team of exploration geologists responsible for the previous discoveries.

Exploration drilling in Q2 2022 was focused on additional drilling in the Makoko West area, drilling of stratigraphic holes in Lupemba area and regional stratigraphic sections on the permit north of the Kamoa-Kakula mining licence. A total of 39 diamond holes were completed during Q2 2022 to a total of 7,539 metres. In addition to the diamond drilling, 284 metres of air core drilling, within 8 holes, was completed at Makoko. Drilling expanded further afield during the period as the rainy season ended and the ground conditions improved.

The drilling of the Makoko West area is targeting the westerly extension of the Makoko Sud deposit discovered in 2018. Drilling is targeting shallow mineralization, less than 170 metres from surface, using Land Cruiser mounted rigs. In total, 2,802 metres in 21 holes were completed at Makoko West during Q2 2022.

A total of 1,716 metres of diamond drilling was completed in Q2 2022, in four holes, in the Mushiji permit, which is located approximately three kilometres north of the Kamoa-Kakula mining licence. Two five-kilometre-spaced drill fences were planned to test for the presence of lower Nguba and Roan Sandstone in the northern part of the permit. The drilling showed the northern section to have low prospectivity and no further work is planned. The southern portion of the licence still holds numerous prospective areas. A surface mapping program in the Mushiji area also was conducted to establish a more comprehensive surface geological map and assist with Roan distribution mapping.

Regional stratigraphic drilling during the quarter focused mainly on the Lupemba area in the far southwest of the Western Foreland licence package where the regional magnetic signature is more complex. In Q2 2022, diamond drilling for Lubudi, Kakula East and Lupemba were 890 metres, 1,025 metres and 1,106 metres, respectively.

Airborne gravity and electromagnetic helicopter surveys which began in 2021, recommenced and were nearly complete by the end of Q2 2022. Continued interpretation and processing of completed surveys is underway and will be used to better understand the structural domains and basin architecture over the Western Foreland. Ground gravity survey work is still in progress and will be used in conjunction with the airborne gravity to provide increased definition where required.

Ivanhoe’s 2022 Western Foreland exploration expenditure is provisionally planned at $25 million. The main component of this expenditure is exploration drilling, with more than 50,000 metres of shallow (depth of less than 150 metres) air core, reverse circulation and diamond drilling focussed on defining sub-outcrop positions and obtaining bed-rock samples under the Kalahari sand cover. In addition, up to 45,000 metres of deeper regional drilling covering the entire 2,407 square kilometre land package is also provisionally planned, some of which is dependent upon exploration success.

Camp infrastructure upgrades during the quarter included the completion of the mobile phone tower construction and the associated IT infrastructure and high-speed internet connection.

 

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following table summarizes selected financial information for the prior eight quarters. Ivanhoe had no operating revenue in any financial reporting period. All revenue from commercial production at Kamoa-Kakula is recognized within the Kamoa Holding joint venture. Ivanhoe did not declare or pay any dividend or distribution in any financial reporting period.

 

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Review of the three months ended June 30, 2022 vs. June 30, 2021
 

The company recorded a total comprehensive income of $340.9 million for Q2 2022 compared to a total comprehensive loss of $95.7 million for the same period in 2021. The profit for the period principally relates to the company’s share of profit from the Kamoa Holding joint venture, the gain on fair valuation of embedded derivative liability and the recognition of the deferred tax asset relating to the Kipushi Project, all three of which are described in greater detail below.

Kamoa-Kakula sold 85,794 tonnes of payable copper in Q2 2022 realizing revenue of $494.1 million for the Kamoa Holding joint venture. Kamoa-Kakula’s other operating data is summarized under the review of operations section. The company recognized income in the aggregate of $84.6 million from the joint venture in Q2 2022, which can be summarized as follows:

The company’s share of profit from the Kamoa Holding joint venture was $49.7 million in Q2 2022 compared to a loss of $10.0 million in Q2 2021. The following table summarizes the company’s share of profit (loss) of the joint venture for the three months ended June 30, 2022, and for the same period in 2021:

The company recognized a gain on fair valuation of the embedded derivative financial liability of $183.6 million for Q2 2022, compared to a loss on fair valuation of the embedded derivative financial liability of $85.7 million for Q2 2021.

Finance income for Q2 2022 amounted to $38.6 million and was $13.5 million more than for the same period in 2021 ($25.1 million). Included in finance income is the interest earned on loans to the Kamoa Holding joint venture to fund past development that amounted to $34.9 million for Q2 2022, and $23.0 million for the same period in 2021, and increased due to the higher accumulated loan balance.

With the agreement of the development plan by the shareholders of Kipushi and the approval of the development budget consistent with the Kipushi 2022 Feasibility Study, it now is deemed probable that future taxable profit will be available from the Kipushi Project, against which the unused tax losses and unused tax credits can be utilized. As a result, the company recognized the previously unrecognized deferred tax asset in June 2022, resulting in a deferred tax recovery (income) of $114.2 million.

Exploration and project evaluation expenditure amounted to $13.5 million in Q2 2022 and $12.0 million for the same period in 2021. Exploration and project evaluation expenditure related to exploration at Ivanhoe’s Western Foreland exploration licences and amounts spent at the Kipushi Project, which was on reduced activities and incurred limited cost of a capital nature in the periods.

Review of the six months ended June 30, 2022, vs. June 30, 2021

The company recorded a total comprehensive income of $383.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to a loss of $79.5 million for the same period in 2021. The profit for the period principally relates to the company’s share of profit from the Kamoa Holding joint venture, the gain on fair valuation of embedded derivative liability and the recognition of the deferred tax asset relating to the Kipushi Project, all three of which are described in greater detail below.

The Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex sold 137,713 tonnes of payable copper in the six months ended June 30, 2022, realizing revenue of $1,013.7 million for the Kamoa Holding joint venture. Kamoa-Kakula’s other operating data is summarized under the review of operations section. The company recognized income in aggregate of $200.0 million from the joint venture in the six months ended June 30, 2022, which can be summarized as follows:

The company’s share of profit from the Kamoa Holding joint venture was $136.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to a loss of $14.1 million in the same period in 2021. The following table summarizes the company’s share of profit (loss) of the joint venture for the six months ended June 30, 2022, and for the same period in 2021:

The company recognized a gain on fair valuation of the embedded derivative financial liability of $117.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to a loss on fair valuation of the embedded derivative financial liability of $60.1 million for the same period in 2021.

With the agreement of the development plan by the shareholders of Kipushi and the approval of the development budget consistent with the Kipushi 2022 Feasibility Study, it now is deemed probable that future taxable profit will be available from the Kipushi Project, against which the unused tax losses and unused tax credits can be utilized. As a result, the company recognized the previously unrecognized deferred tax asset in June 2022, resulting in a deferred tax recovery (income) of $112.8 million.

Finance income for the six months ended June 30, 2022, amounted to $70.1 million, and was $22.2 million more than for the same period in 2021 ($47.9 million). Included in finance income is the interest earned on loans to the Kamoa Holding joint venture to fund operations that amounted to $63.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, and $44.1 million for the same period in 2021. Interest increased due to the higher accumulated loan balance.

Exploration and project evaluation expenditure amounted to $25.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2022, and $20.7 million for the same period in 2021. Exploration and project evaluation expenditure related to exploration at Ivanhoe’s Western Foreland exploration licences and amounts spent at the Kipushi Project, which was on reduced activities and incurred limited cost of a capital nature in the periods.

Financial position as at June 30, 2022, vs. December 31, 2021

The company’s total assets increased by $291.8 million, from $3,218.2 million as at December 31, 2021, to $3,510.0 million as at June 30, 2022. The main reason for the increase in total assets was attributable to the increase in the company’s investment in the Kamoa Holding joint venture by $200.0 million from $1,641.8 million as at December 31, 2021, to $1,841.8 million as at June 30, 2022.

The company’s share of profit from the Kamoa Holding joint venture amounted to $136.8 million, while the interest on the loan to the joint venture amounted to $63.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The company’s investment in the Kamoa Holding joint venture can be broken down as follows:

Prior to commencing commercial production in July 2021, the Kamoa Holding joint venture principally used loans advanced to it by its shareholders to advance the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex through investing in development costs and other property, plant and equipment.

Going forward, all Phase 1 and Phase 2 operating costs and most Phase 3 capital expenditures are expected to be funded from copper sales and facilities in place at Kamoa-Kakula. Cash flows generated and used by the Kamoa Holding joint venture can be summarized as follows:

The Kamoa Holding joint venture’s net increase in property, plant and equipment from December 31, 2021, to June 30, 2022, amounted to $280.0 million and can be further broken down as follows:

Ivanhoe’s cash and cash equivalents decreased by $101.0 million, from $608.2 million as at December 31, 2021, to $507.2 million as at June 30, 2022. The company utilized $47.6 million of its cash in operating activities and spent $33.4 million acquiring property, plant and equipment. The company also invested $13.3 million in acquiring a strategic equity stake in Renergen Ltd., a South African emerging energy and helium producer.

The company’s total liabilities decreased by $107.3 million to $733.9 million as at June 30, 2022, from $841.2 million as at December 31, 2021, with the decrease mainly due to the decrease in the embedded derivative liability linked to the convertible senior notes.

The net increase in property, plant and equipment amounted to $33.8 million, with additions of $41.2 million to project development and other property, plant and equipment. Of this total, $38.9 million pertained to development costs and other acquisitions of property, plant and equipment at the Platreef Project.

Costs incurred at the Platreef Project are deemed necessary to bring the project to commercial production and are therefore capitalized as property, plant and equipment.

Accounting for the convertible notes closed in March 2021

The company closed a private placement offering of $575.0 million of 2.50% convertible senior notes maturing in 2026 on March 17, 2021. Upon conversion, the convertible notes may be settled, at the company’s election, in cash, common shares or a combination thereof. Due to this election right and conversion feature, the convertible notes have an embedded derivative liability that is measured at fair value with changes in value being recorded in profit or loss, as well as the host loan that is accounted for at amortized cost.

The convertible senior notes are senior unsecured obligations of the company which will accrue interest payable semi-annually in arrears at a rate of 2.50% per annum and will mature on April 15, 2026, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. The initial conversion rate of the notes is 134.5682 Class A common shares of the company per $1,000 principal amount of notes, or an initial conversion price of approximately $7.43 (equivalent to approximately C$9.31) per common share.

The effective interest rate of the host liability was deemed to be 9.39% and the interest recognized on the convertible notes amounted to $9.7 million in Q2 2022, after the capitalization of $0.7 million borrowing costs. The carrying value of the host liability was $450.9 million as at June 30, 2022, up from $437.4 million as at December 31, 2021.

The derivative liability had a fair value of $150.5 million on closure of the convertible notes offering and increased to $244.2 million as at December 31, 2021, and decreased to $127.0 million as at June 30, 2022, resulting in a gain on fair valuation of embedded derivative liability of $117.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The change in the fair value of the embedded derivative liability is largely due to the changes in the closing share price of the company’s common shares at the different reporting dates.

The following key inputs and assumptions were used in determining the fair value of the embedded derivative liability:

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The company had $507.1 million in cash and cash equivalents as at June 30, 2022. At this date, the company had consolidated working capital of approximately $529.5 million, compared to $654.8 million as at December 31, 2021.

The Platreef Project entered a gold, palladium and platinum stream financing in December 2021 that will fund a large portion of the Phase 1 capital costs. The stream facilities are a prepaid forward sale of refined metals, with prepayments totaling $300 million, available in two tranches with the first prepayment of $75 million received in December 2021 following the closing of the transaction and $225 million to be paid upon satisfaction of certain conditions precedent.

Kipushi Holding together with Gécamines, approved the development budget for the Kipushi Project in line with the Kipushi 2022 Feasibility Study. Ordering of long-lead equipment and other construction activities now have commenced. Financing and offtake discussions are advancing with several interested parties.

The company’s main objectives for the remainder of 2022 at the Platreef Project are the continued development of the project towards the completion of its first phase currently scheduled for Q3 2024, as well as the continuation of the construction of the Shaft 2 headframe to allow optionality for possibly bringing Phase 2 forward. With the development plan and budget approved by Kipushi Holding together with Gécamines, Kipushi has commenced with the ordering of long-lead equipment and other construction activities as outlined in the 2022 feasibility study. With Phase 1 and Phase 2 commercial production achieved at the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex, the current focus is on operational efficiency and de-bottlenecking the Phase 1 and 2 operations, as well as progressing the Phase 3 expansion.

The company has forecast to spend $129 million on further development at the Platreef Project; $78 million on development at the Kipushi Project; and $21 million on corporate overheads for the remainder of 2022. Exploration activities at the Western Foreland exploration project in the DRC and other targets will continue in 2022 with an initial budget of $17 million for the remainder of 2022 on Western Forelands and $6 million on other targets. At the Kamoa Holding joint venture, all operating, and capital expansion costs are expected to be funded from copper sales and facilities in place at Kamoa.

The planned capital expenditure for 2022 can be broken down as follows:

Notes: (1) Amounts in the above table for the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex are on a 100%-project basis. (2) The amount for Phase 3 and smelter early works is initial budgets only and will be augmented on completion of the updated pre-feasibility study.

On March 17, 2021, the company closed a private placement offering of $575 million of 2.50% convertible senior notes maturing in 2026. The convertible senior notes are senior unsecured obligations of the company which will accrue interest payable semi-annually in arrears at a rate of 2.50% per annum and will mature on April 15, 2026, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. The notes will be convertible at the option of holders, prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding October 15, 2025, only under certain circumstances and during certain periods, and thereafter, at any time until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. Upon conversion, the notes may be settled, at the company’s election, in cash, common shares or a combination thereof. The carrying value of the host liability was $450.9 million and the fair value of the embedded derivative liability was $127.0 million as at June 30, 2022.

 

Non-GAAP FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Kamoa-Kakula’s C1 cash costs and C1 cash costs per pound

C1 cash costs and C1 cash costs per pound are non-GAAP financial measures. These are disclosed to enable investors to better understand the performance of Kamoa-Kakula in comparison to other copper producers who present results on a similar basis.

C1 cash costs are prepared on a basis consistent with the industry standard definitions by Wood Mackenzie cost guidelines but are not measures recognized under IFRS. In calculating the C1 cash cost, the costs are measured on the same basis as the company's share of profit from the Kamoa Holding joint venture that is contained in the financial statements. C1 cash costs are used by management to evaluate operating performance and include all direct mining, processing, and general and administrative costs. Smelter charges and freight deductions on sales to final port of destination, which are recognized as a component of sales revenues, are added to C1 cash cost to arrive at an approximate cost of finished metal. C1 cash costs and C1 cash costs per pound, exclude royalties and production taxes and non-routine charges as they are not direct production costs.

Reconciliation of Kamoa-Kakula’s cost of sales to C1 cash costs, including on a per pound basis:



EBITDA and EBITDA margin

EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure, which excludes income tax, finance costs, finance income and depreciation from net profit.

Ivanhoe believes that Kamoa-Kakula’s EBITDA is a valuable indicator of the mine’s ability to generate liquidity by producing operating cash flow to fund its working capital needs, service debt obligations, fund capital expenditures and distribute cash to its shareholders. EBITDA also is frequently used by investors and analysts for valuation purposes. EBITDA is intended to provide additional information to investors and analysts and does not have any standardized definition under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. EBITDA excludes the impact of cash costs of financing activities and taxes, and the effects of changes in operating working capital balances, and therefore are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under IFRS. Other companies may calculate EBITDA differently.

EBITDA margin is an indicator of Kamoa-Kakula's overall health and denotes its profitability, which is calculated by dividing EBITDA by revenue. EBITDA margin is intended to provide additional information to investors and analysts, does not have any standardized definition under IFRS, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute, for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Reconciliation of profit (loss) after tax to EBITDA:

 

Qualified Persons

Disclosures of a scientific or technical nature at the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex 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-Kakula Mining Complex. 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 has 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.

Ivanhoe has prepared an independent, NI 43-101-compliant technical report for the Kamoa-Kakula Project, the Platreef Project and the Kipushi Project, each 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 Kipushi 2022 Feasibility Study dated February 14, 2022, prepared by OreWin Pty Ltd., MSA Group (Pty) Ltd., SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, and METC Engineering.
  • The Platreef 2022 Feasibility Study dated February 28, 2022, prepared by OreWin Pty, Mine Technical Services, SRK Consulting Inc., DRA Projects (Pty) Ltd and Golder Associates Africa.

These technical reports include relevant information regarding the effective dates and the assumptions, parameters and methods of the mineral resource estimates on the Platreef Project, the Kipushi Project and the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex 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 in respect of the Platreef Project, Kipushi Project and Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex.

About Ivanhoe Mines

Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal 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-nickel-platinum-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.

Information contact
Investors

Vancouver: Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034

London: Tommy Horton +44 7866 913 207

Media

Tanya Todd +1.604.331.9834

Website www.ivanhoemines.com

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 the expected increase in processing capacity of Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrators by 21% to a combined total of 9.2 million tonnes of ore per year, resulting from the planned de-bottlenecking program at Kamoa-Kakula and the cost thereof; (ii) statements regarding copper production from Kamoa-Kakula’s first two phases are projected to exceed 450,000 tonnes per year by Q2 2023; (iii) statements regarding the expectation that the majority of Kamoa-Kakula’s expansion capital expenditures on Phase 2 and Phase 3 will be funded from copper sales and facilities in place at Kamoa-Kakula; (iv) statements regarding a step-change improvement in cash costs of 10% to 20% is anticipated once Kamoa Copper’s on-site 500,000 tonne per annum, direct-to-blister flash smelter is commissioned as part of the Phase 3 expansion, expected by the end of 2024; (v) statements that the smelter will generate valuable by-product credits from the sale of sulphuric acid, which is in deficit in the DRC Copperbelt; (vi) statements that management anticipates that the early commissioning of the Phase 2 concentrator plant in March 2022, approximately four months ahead of schedule, has enabled Kamoa Copper to increase the lower end of its full year 2022 production guidance from a range of between 290,000 to 340,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate, to between 310,000 and 340,000 tonnes; (vii) statements regarding the Pre-Feasibility Study for the Phase 3 expansion at the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex is expected to be announced towards the end of this year; (viii) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula's Phase 3 will consist of two new underground mines, known as Kamoa 1 and Kamoa 2, as well as the initial decline development at Kakula West; (ix) statements regarding a new, 5-million-tonne-per-annum concentrator plant will be established adjacent to two new mines at Kamoa; (x) statements regarding following the commissioning of Phase 3, expected by the end of 2024, Kamoa-Kakula will have a total processing capacity in excess of than 14 million tonnes per annum; (xi) statements regarding the completion of Phase 3 is expected to increase copper production capacity to approximately 600,000 tonnes per annum and that this production rate will position Kamoa-Kakula as the world’s third-largest copper mining complex, and the largest on the African continent; (xii) statements regarding the Inga II project is expected to produce an additional 178 MW of renewable hydropower, providing the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex and associated smelter with sustainable electricity for Phase 3 and future expansions, while also benefitting local communities; (xiii) statements regarding the Inga II upgrade project being scheduled for completion in Q4 of 2024; (xiv) statements that Kamoa Copper increases its 2022 production guidance range for Kamoa-Kakula to between 310,000 and 340,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate.; (xv) statements regarding production guidance of between 310,000 and 340,000 tonnes of contained copper in concentrate for 2022 from the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex; (xvi) statements regarding cash cost guidance of between $1.20 to $1.40 per pound for 2022 from the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex; (xvii) statements that Platreef’s shaft will be equipped with two cages on top of twin 12.5 tonne skips with hoisting capacity of 1 million tonnes per annum, resulting from an amended configuration that does not require the cage to be interchanged mid-shift, thereby increasing the hoisting time during the initial phase of mining; (xviii) statements regarding construction of Platreef’s first solar-power plant being scheduled to commence in Q3 2022, with commissioning expected in 2023 and that the solar-generated power from the initial plant will be used for mine development and construction activities, as well as for charging Platreef’s battery-powered underground mining fleet; (xix) statements regarding plans to continue the construction of the Shaft 2 headframe, and expects sinking to commence later this year, to allow optionality for possibly bringing the Phase 2 production timeline forward; (xx) statements regarding a new independent feasibility study for the Platreef Project which is based on a two-phased development to a steady-state production rate of 5.2 million tonnes per annum, and is the current execution plan for the Platreef Project; (xxi) statements regarding $225 million expected to be paid upon satisfaction of certain conditions precedent during the Q3 2022; (xxii) statements regarding the senior debt facility for the Platreef Project including that it is anticipated to be used only after the stream facilities are fully drawn; (xxiii) statements regarding the water requirement for the Phase 1 operation is projected to peak at approximately three million litres per day, which will then increase to nine million litres per day once the Phase 2 expansion is complete; (xxiv) statements regarding purchasing the treated wastewater from the Masodi Treatment Works at a reduced rate of R5 per thousand litres; (xxv) statements that arrangements are underway to re-commence the construction works of the Masodi Treatment Works and that the Company anticipates spending approximately ZAR 215 million ($13 million) to complete the works which are scheduled to take approximately 18 months; (xxvi) statements regarding implementation of the Platreef Project’s second Social and Labour Plan (SLP); (xxvii) statements regarding equipping of the Platreef’s permanent training academy is progressing well, with the official launch being planned for 2022; (xxviii) statements that Kipushi will be the world’s highest-grade major zinc mine, with an average grade of 36.4% zinc over the first five years of production; (xxix) statements regarding the new agreement signed between Kipushi Holding and Gécamines to return the ultra-high-grade Kipushi Mine back to commercial production; (xxx) statements that Kipushi Holding will continue to fund the Kipushi Project with the shareholder loan and/or procure financing from third parties for the development of the project; (xxxi) statements regarding 50 boreholes of potable water are planned to be drilled around the Kipushi district over five years, to reach areas not served by the current distribution; (xxxii) statements regarding the redevelopment of Kipushi is based on a two-year construction timeline, which utilizes the significant existing surface and underground infrastructure to allow for substantially lower capital costs than comparable development projects and that the estimated pre-production capital cost, including contingency, is $382 million; (xxxiii) statements regarding the Kipushi 2022 feasibility study envisages the recommencement of underground mining operations, and the construction of a new concentrator facility on surface with annual processing capacity of 800,000 tonnes of ore, producing on average 240,000 tonnes of zinc contained in concentrate; (xxxiv) statements regarding Ivanhoe’s 2022 Western Foreland exploration expenditure being provisionally planned at $25 million and that the main component of this expenditure is exploration drilling, with more than 50,000 metres of shallow (depth of less than 150 metres), air core, reverse circulation and diamond drilling and that in addition, up to 45,000 metres of deeper regional drilling covering the entire 2,407-square-kilometre land package also is provisionally planned, some of which is dependent upon exploration success; (xxxv) statements regarding with the agreement of the development plan by the shareholders of Kipushi and the approval of the development budget consistent with the feasibility study; and (xxxvi) statements regarding the main objectives for 2022, the 2022 budget and that, for the balance of 2022, the Company has forecast to spend $129 million on further development at the Platreef Project; $78 million on development at the Kipushi Project; $21 million on corporate overheads; and $17 million on Western Forelands. 

As well, all of the results of the feasibility study for the Kakula copper mine, the Kakula-Kansoko 2020 pre-feasibility study and the updated and expanded Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex preliminary economic assessment, the Platreef 2022 feasibility study, and the Kipushi 2022 feasibility study, 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 operation and development of the Kamoa-Kakula, Platreef and Kipushi projects, 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, nickel, zinc, platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold; (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; (xvii) recoveries, mining rates and grade; (xviii) political factors; (xviii) water inflow into the mine and its potential effect on mining operations, and (xix) the consistency and availability of electric power.

This release also contains references to estimates of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. The estimation of Mineral Resources is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Estimates of Mineral Reserves provide more certainty but still involve similar subjective judgments. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation (including estimated future production from the company’s projects, the anticipated tonnages and grades that will be mined and the estimated level of recovery that will be realized), which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences that ultimately may prove to be inaccurate. Mineral Resource or Mineral Reserve estimates may have to be re-estimated based on: (i) fluctuations in copper, nickel, zinc, platinum group elements (PGE), gold or other mineral prices; (ii) results of drilling; (iii) metallurgical testing and other studies; (iv) proposed mining operations, including dilution; (v) the evaluation of mine plans subsequent to the date of any estimates and/or changes in mine plans; (vi) the possible failure to receive required permits, approvals and licences; and (vii) changes in law or regulation.

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 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 above and under the “Risk Factors”, and elsewhere in the company’s MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, 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 news 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 news 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 news 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 MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022.

南非约翰内斯堡— 艾芬豪矿业总裁玛娜·克洛特 (Marna Cloete) 及首席财务官大卫·范·希尔登 (David van Heerden) 欣然宣布公司截至2022年6月30日止三个月及六个月的财务业绩。

艾芬豪矿业是一家加拿大矿业公司,正在开发和扩建旗下位于南部非洲的四大矿业项目﹕位于刚果民主共和国 (以下简称"刚果(金)") 的卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目、位于南非的普拉特瑞夫钯-铑-镍-铂-铜-金矿、位于刚果(金)的久负盛名的基普什锌-铜-铅-锗矿,以及毗邻卡莫阿-卡库拉采矿权的西部前沿探矿权内开展大规模勘查以寻找新的铜矿资源。除非另有指明,所有货币数字均以美元为单位。

重点内容

  • 艾芬豪矿业于2022年第二季度录得利润3.515亿美元,2021年同期亏损1.086亿美元。第二季度的利润主要来自艾芬豪矿业在卡莫阿-卡库拉合资企业中的利润份额以及财务收入 (共计8,460万美元)
  • 卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿期内生产精矿含铜8.7万吨,创下全新季度生产纪录。II 期选厂于20224月实现商业化生产。
  • II 期扩建完成早期试车后,艾芬豪矿业公司将上调卡莫阿-卡库拉2022年生产指导目标调整为31万吨-34万吨铜金属。
  • 2022年第二季度卡莫阿-卡库拉的销售成本为1.15美元/磅,现金成本 (C1) 1.42美元/磅,2022年第一季度和2021年第四季度的C1现金成本则分别为1.21美元/磅和1.28美元/磅。
  • 艾芬豪矿业重申卡莫阿-卡库拉2022年的C1现金成本指导目标将维持在1.20美元/磅至1.40美元/磅之间。2022年前半年的C1现金成本为1.34美元/磅。
  • 2022年第二季度,卡莫阿铜业出售8.6万吨铜,录得4.941亿美元收入,营业利润为2.531亿美元,EBITDA2.863亿美元。
  • 卡莫阿铜业于2022年第二季度共采出166万吨矿石,铜品位5.57%,包括在卡库拉矿山高品位中心采出的78万吨矿石,铜品位高达6.74%
  • 卡莫阿铜业于2022年上半年度已处理约300万吨矿石,平均入选品位5.59%,共生产精矿含铜14.3万吨。
  • 第二季度后,卡莫阿铜业于7月份破纪录生产3.3万吨铜,相当于38.7万吨铜的年化产能。
  • 卡莫阿-卡库拉项目的技改方案如期开展,计划将 I 期和 II 期选厂的综合设计产能提升至920万吨/年,预计到2023年第二季度,卡莫阿-卡库拉 I 期和 II 期将年产约45万吨铜。
  • 卡莫阿-卡库拉项目 III 500万吨/年规模的选厂基础工程设计即将完成,正在开展工程设计和采购工作。项目于6月份完成球磨机、精矿过滤机、破碎机和浮选机等长周期设备的采购订单,且已签署土方工程的合同。
  • III 期直接粗铜冶炼厂的土方工程进度理想,6 月份已订购废弃物加热炉和阳极精炼炉。
  • 艾芬豪矿业的财务状况稳健。截至2022630日,公司持有现金和现金等价物5.071亿美元,预计卡莫阿-卡库拉的铜销售和信贷融资足以支持卡莫阿铜业 III 期运营和扩建的资本性开支。
  • 艾芬豪继续在毗邻卡莫阿-卡库拉矿山约2,407平方公里的西部前沿探矿权内进行勘查。2022年的大规模钻探计划进展顺利,第二季度共完成39个金刚石钻孔,共7,539米的钻探进尺。
  • 普拉特瑞夫项目950米中段的井下矿山开发工作进展顺利,向首个通风竖井推进,从20224月开工至今已完成200多米的水平开拓工程。
  • 普拉特瑞夫的首个太阳能发电厂计划于2022年第三季度开始施工,预计2023年投产。太阳能电力将用于矿山开发和建设活动,以及为普拉特瑞夫的电池动力地下采矿设备充电。
  • 根据普拉特瑞夫2022可行性研究,以长期共识的金属价格估算,项目具有17亿美元的税后净现值 (折现率8%) 18.5%的内部收益率;以2022223日的现货价格计算,税后净现值将会提升至41亿美元 (折现率8%),内部收益率增加至29%
  • 20226月,基普什与杰卡明 (Gécamines) 根据2022可行性研究批准了基普什项目的开发预算,并已开展长周期设备的采购及其它建设工程。目前正与潜在投资者讨论关于融资和包销的安排。
  • 根据基普什2022可行性研究,以长期共识的金属价格估算,项目具有9.41亿美元的税后净现值 (折现率8%) 40.9%的内部收益率;以1.60美元/磅锌价计算,税后净现值将会提升至20亿美元 (折现率8%),内部收益率增加至68%

卡莫阿铜矿7月份采矿和建设视频: https://vimeo.com/739197662/57261459ec

卡莫阿铜业精矿物流成本优化

2022年第二季度的C1现金成本高于第一季度,主要原因是精矿运输和物流成本上升42%。本季度内,德班港的运营受到洪水影响、刚果()与赞比亚边境海关拥堵、卡车运载能力及柴油价格上涨等因素使物流运输多次中断,导致运费上涨。

然而,矿山的运营成本受柴油价格上涨的影响很小,因为公司与刚果()国家电力公司SNEL合作的Mwadingusha水电站升级改造完成后,使用刚果()国家电网提供的电力,成本为每千瓦小时0.06美元。

靠近科卢韦齐的卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂正进行定期维护,预计于9月初完成。该冶炼厂每年处理来自卡莫阿-卡库拉约15万湿吨的铜精矿。卡莫阿铜业的矿产品将以铜精矿的形式运输和出口,而没有按照预期出口99%粗铜,导致物流成本短期上升。

此外,艾芬豪矿业正与其合作伙伴紫金矿业、中信金属和刚果()政府携手,开展优化卡莫阿铜业产品的运输方案的分析研究。

这些举措包括与物流服务商和企业合作以提高区域性的承运能力、与刚果()政府共同改善出口的清关流程,以及增设刚果()与赞比亚之间的替代出口海关。除了刚果()位于Kasumbalesa的海关外,最近还在Sakania开设了第二个进出口过境点。

同时,卡莫阿铜业正研究从多个港口发货以提高灵活性,包括南非的德班港、坦桑尼亚的达累斯萨拉姆、纳米比亚的鲸湾港和莫桑比克的贝拉港等。

预计卡莫阿铜业 III 50万吨/年直接粗铜冶炼厂2024年底投产后,将使现金成本大幅降低约10%20%。现金成本下降主要是由于产品货运重量大幅下降,从约130万吨铜精矿减少至约60万吨粗铜产品 (包括当地付费冶炼)。此外,冶炼厂将销售副产品硫酸还可获得较高的经济收益,刚果()铜矿带对硫酸的需求旺盛。

卡库拉矿山的优化工作旨在将铜品位提高至6%

卡库拉矿山正进行采矿优化,目标是要在2022年下半年度将原矿铜品位提高至平均6%。同时,卡莫阿铜业正在评估提高卡库拉矿山矿石处理能力的可能性,技改方案完成后,向综合产能达920万吨/年的选厂供矿。

卡库拉矿山正进行短期的地下基础设施扩建工作,但由于 I 期和 II 期选厂实际处理量已超过设计产能,因此将定期从地表矿堆向选厂供矿以满足产量最大化。截至20226月底,卡莫阿-卡库拉地表已堆存约460万吨高品位和中品位矿石,平均铜品位约4.42%

II 期选厂提前于20223月投产,比原计划提前约4个月,使卡莫阿铜业能够将其2022年铜生产指导目标的下限,从 (29万吨至34万吨) 提高至 (31万吨至34万吨)

艾芬豪矿业总裁玛娜·克洛特 (Marna Cloete) 评论说:“艾芬豪矿业拥有世界顶级的低成本矿山和经验丰富的管理团队,公司财务状况稳健,足以应对商品价格波动和通胀压力带来的影响。卡莫阿-卡库拉是世界上成长最快和品位最高的超大型铜矿,将成为关键金属高品质铜长期供应的基石。随着全球迈向清洁能源的转型,我们对于铜金属的中长期基本面充满信心。卡莫阿铜矿年度生产指导目标的提高进一步印证了矿山运营团队在 I 期和 II 期建造及升级期间完成的出色工作。

我们正与合作伙伴紧密合作,力求提高卡莫阿-卡库拉的精矿运输和物流效率,以缓解成本压力。我们相信,在刚果()政府的支持下,能够积极研究基础设施建设和升级的可行性,以改善货运和航运困境。卡莫阿-卡库拉的矿山运营,并没有受到市场通胀的明显影响。

艾芬豪矿业将于815日举行投资者会议

公司将于815日东部时间上午10:30 / 西部时间上午7:30召开投资者电话会议,讨论2022年第二季度财务业绩。电话会议拨入号码为 +1-647-484-0258或免费拨号号码 1-800-289-0720,如有要求,请引述艾芬豪矿业2022年第二季度财务业绩,被邀媒体将在听众列席。

加入音频网络直播的链接:

https://bit.ly/3I7kaCR

电话会议的网络广播录音及相关演示材料将在艾芬豪矿业网站上提供:

www.ivanhoemines.com

发布后,财务报表和管理层的讨论和分析将在www.ivanhoemines.comwww.sedar.com上提供。

主要项目及活动回顾

1. 卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目

艾芬豪矿业持有 39.6% 权益

位于刚果民主共和国

卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿是艾芬豪矿业与紫金矿业的合资项目,被国际矿业咨询公司伍德曼肯兹 (Wood Mackenzie) 评为全球第 4 大铜矿床。该项目位于科卢韦齐 (Kolwezi) 以西约 25 公里,卢本巴希 (Lubumbashi) 以西约 270 公里处。卡莫阿-卡库拉项目于2021年5月启动铜生产,并于2021年7月1日正式实现商业化生产。

2015年12月,艾芬豪向紫金矿业出售卡莫阿控股有限公司 (以下简称 "卡莫阿控股") 49.5% 的权益,并向私营企业晶河全球出售卡莫阿控股1%的权益。卡莫阿控股持有项目80%权益。与紫金矿业的交易完成后,每位股东须按其持有卡莫阿控股的股权比例承担对卡莫阿-卡库拉项目的出资。艾芬豪与紫金矿业各自间接持有卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目39.6%的权益,晶河全球间接持有 0.8% 权益,而刚果(金)政府则直接持有20%权益。

 

卡莫阿-卡库拉 I 期和 II 期选厂技改工程,在 I 期选厂增设扫选-精选设施,预计到2023年第二季度,铜产量将提升至约45万吨/年。

卡莫阿-卡库拉的职业健康与安全

截至 20226月底,卡莫阿-卡库拉项目录得4,272,520个零失时工伤工时。2022年第二季度发生了3宗工伤事故。矿山和项目将继续致力为所有员工和承包商提供零伤害的工作环境。

医护人员在卡莫阿医院的新建医疗大楼。

卡莫阿-卡库拉运营和财务数据摘要

 

C1 现金成本的计算基准与伍德曼肯兹成本指南制定的行业标准定义一致,但并非国际财务报告准则 (IFRS) 认可的方式。在计算 C1 现金成本时,成本的计量基准与财务报表中所述的公司应占卡莫阿控股合资企业的收益份额相同。管理层以C1 现金成本评估经营业绩,其中包括所有直接采矿、选矿以及管理和行政成本。冶炼费和销售至最终港口的运费扣减被列作销售收入的一部分,将计入C1现金成本,以得出交付成品金属的粗略成本。权益金、产品税和非经常性费用并非直接生产成本,因此不会计入C1现金成本。

C1现金成本明细如下:

上述数字均以100%项目权益统计。报告的精矿含铜金属量未考虑冶炼协议中的损失或扣减。本新闻稿载述EBITDA、EBITDA利润率和每磅C1现金成本为非公认会计准则的财务指标。关于本文载述每项非公认会计准则财务指标的详细说明,以及与国际财务报告准则最直接可比的详细对账,请参阅2022年第二季度《管理层讨论与分析》的“非公认会计准则财务指标”的部分。

2022年第二季度生产87,314吨铜,创下全新季度生产纪录

艾芬豪矿业于2022年3月底公布卡莫阿-卡库拉 II 期选厂比原计划大幅提前带料试车。2022年3月21日开始向 II 期选厂供矿并顺利投产,比原计划提前约4个月。II 期选厂已于2022年4月7日实现商业化生产,并于2022年5月底达到稳态产能。2022年6月的平均回收率超过86%,平均入选品位约5.5%。

2022年第二季度,卡莫阿-卡库拉共生产精矿含铜8.7万吨,创下全新季度生产纪录,2022年第一季度共生产精矿含铜金属5.6万吨,2021年第四季度则为5.4万吨。2022年第二季度共处理195万吨矿石,平均入选铜品位5.44%。

卡莫阿-卡库拉2022年上半年共处理约300万吨矿石,平均入选品位5.59%,共生产精矿含铜14.3万吨。

卡莫阿-卡库拉I期和II期扩大产能至920万吨/年的技改如期开展

卡莫阿铜业之前公布的技改方案如期开展,计划将 I 期和 II 期选厂的综合设计产能从760万吨/年提升至920万吨/年。

I 期和 II 期选厂成功投产后,卡莫阿-卡库拉团队发现通过一些局部调整,可显著提高选厂的矿石处理能力,从当前设计的每小时475吨提升至每小时580吨。这些调整包括扩大一些管道的直径、替换较大型的电机和水泵,以及扩大浮选机、精矿浓密机、精矿过滤机和尾矿处理系统的产能。详细工作正在进行中,技改方案的新设备预计将于今年晚些时候在选厂定期停机维护期间安装。

改方案将于2023年第二季度完成后,卡莫阿-卡库拉 I 期和 II 期的铜产量将提升至约45万吨/年,这将使卡莫阿铜业成为全球第四大铜生产商。

在提高精矿浓密机产能的工程进展顺利,是卡莫阿-卡库拉 I 期和 II 期选厂技改工程的一部分。

莫阿-卡库拉精矿仓的土建工程进展顺利,将用于安装第四台Larox压滤机。

安全主任Franck Katende I 期和 II 期选厂检视新粗选机设施的建设。

III 期预可行性研究接近完成

III 期扩建项目的预可行性研究预计于2022年底发布。卡莫阿-卡库拉 III 期将包括卡莫阿1区和卡莫阿2区两座新的地下矿山,以及卡库拉西区首条斜坡道的建设。卡莫阿两座新矿山附近将建设一座500万吨/年的新选厂。此外,卡莫阿-卡库拉 III 期扩建还将包括一座设计产能50万吨/年、含铜99%的直接粗铜冶炼厂,以及英加二期水电站5号涡轮机组的升级改造。涡轮机组升级后,将为国家电网增容178兆瓦清洁水电。

1﹕卡莫阿-卡库拉 III 期铜产量的基础情形预测 (I 期和 II 期技改后),与2022年全球十大生产矿山预测 (按可售铜产量排名) 比较。

信息来源﹕公司文件、伍德曼肯兹 (2022年4月)。注:卡莫阿-卡库拉精矿含铜60万吨的产量预测,是基于 I 期和 II 期选厂技改后,预计 I 期、II 期和 III 期实现稳态产能以及 III 期选厂实现爬坡而作出的估算。

 

2:卡莫阿-卡库拉 I 期、II 期和 III 期矿山、选厂和基础设施布局图。

III 期基本工程设计接近完成,已开始采购

III 期50万吨/年选厂、冶炼厂和基础设施的基础工程设计快将完成,目前正开展采购工作。项目于6月份完成球磨机、精矿过滤机、破碎机和浮选机等长周期设备的采购订单,且最近已签署土方工程的合同。III 期相关的电力和基础设施将支持未来的扩建。

预计 III 期2024年底投产后,卡莫阿-卡库拉的总矿石处理量将超过1,400万吨/年,铜产能将提升至约60万吨/年,这将使卡莫阿-卡库拉成为全球第三大铜矿山以及非洲大陆最大的铜矿。

 

III 期卡莫阿1区和卡莫阿2区两座新地下矿山的井口建设即将竣工,双斜坡道的掘进工程快速推进

III 期卡莫阿1区和卡莫阿2区的井口和斜坡道建设即将完工,双斜坡道的掘进工程进度理想,将用于 III 期采区的进场通道。斜坡道、排水管路和水仓的建设进展顺利。

卡莫阿1区和卡莫阿2区新建的双斜坡道施工进展顺利。

操作员 Serge Muteba 在卡莫阿1区和卡莫阿2区双斜坡道内兴建一条新巷道。

卡莫阿-卡库拉直接粗铜冶炼厂的基础工程设计已完成,并已订购首批长周期设备

卡莫阿-卡库拉 III 期扩建将包括一座设计产能50万吨/年、含铜99%的直接粗铜冶炼厂,以及英加二期水电站5号涡轮机组的升级改造。涡轮机组升级后,将为国家电网增容178兆瓦清洁水电。

卡莫阿-卡库拉冶炼厂靠近 I 期和 II 期选厂,土方开挖工程进度理想,清理灌木和表土的工作也进展顺利。

卡莫阿铜业于6月份已为冶炼厂订购废弃物加热炉、阳极精炼炉和静电收尘器,并已完成冶炼厂的基础工程设计。

卡莫阿-卡库拉冶炼厂采用芬兰美卓奥图泰公司的技术,按照国际金融公司 (IFC) 制订的排放标准建造;设计规模适合处理卡莫阿-卡库拉 I 期、II 期和 III 期选厂生产的大部分铜精矿。

III 期扩建和冶炼厂将会使用英加二期水电站供应的178兆瓦水电,成本每千瓦小时约0.06美元。

旨在提高精矿浓密机产能的工程进展顺利,是卡莫阿-卡库拉 I 期和 II 期选厂技改工程的一部分。

 

岩土工程钻探正在进行中,为建造卡莫阿-卡库拉直接粗铜冶炼厂的主体结构做好准备。

项目开始从地表堆场拉运矿石;地表堆存约460万吨矿石,铜品位4.42%,含超过20.1万吨铜

截至2022年6月底,卡莫阿-卡库拉地表堆存约460万吨高品位和中品位矿石,平均铜品位约4.42%,含铜超过20.1万吨。2022年第二季度共采出166万吨矿石,铜品位5.51%,包括在卡库拉矿山采出的162万吨矿石,铜品位5.57% (包括矿床高品位中心采出的78万吨矿石,铜品位高达6.74%)。

截至20226月底,地表堆存矿石超过20.1万吨铜。

卡莫阿-卡库拉按包销协议销售 I 期和 II 期生产的铜精矿和粗铜

卡莫阿铜业于本季度内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) 就现有的包销协议签署修订条款,扩大至 II 期的产量。与中信金属和金山签署的包销协议为常青协议,涵盖 I 期和 II 期矿山服务年限内的所有产品各50%产量的包销协议,包括铜精矿以及在卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂生产的粗铜。

此外,卡莫阿铜业最近与托克公司就卡莫阿-卡库拉于2022年至2024年间生产精矿的固定产量签署第三份包销协议,交付数量将从中信金属和紫金按比例重新分配。

托克是全球规模最大的实物商品贸易集团之一,在管理非洲大陆的商品物流方面拥有丰富的经验。

三家包销商将继续以FCA (货交承运人) 方式购买卡库拉矿山的铜精矿或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至最终目的地的货运,并以公开帐目进行报销。

卡莫阿铜业的精矿和粗铜主要经由南非德班港和坦桑尼亚的达累斯萨拉姆港口出口,其次经由纳米比亚的鲸湾港和莫桑比克的贝拉港出口。

英加水电站二期合作协议将为 III 期扩建及冶炼厂提供额外的清洁水电;5号涡轮机组升级工程的EPC合同已签署

2021年7月,艾芬豪矿业刚果(金)能源公司 (Ivanhoe Mines Energy DRC) 与刚果(金)国有电力公司 La Société Nationale d'Electricité (以下简称“SNEL”) 扩展现有的融资协议,对位于刚果河上的英加二期水电站进行5号涡轮机组的升级改造。艾芬豪矿业刚果(金)能源公司为卡莫阿铜业的姊妹公司,专门负责为卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿提供可靠的可再生清洁水电。

这项合作于2021年已成功为Mwadingusha水电站进行了升级改造,该水电站目前为刚果(金)国家电网提供约 78 兆瓦的电力。

英加二期项目预计将产生额外的178兆瓦可再生水电,为卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目和冶炼厂提供稳定的清洁电力供应,配合 III 期及未来扩建计划,同时惠及当地社区。英加二期升级改造项目将于2024年第四季度完工。

5号涡轮机组的工程将包括升级和更换进气设备、涡轮机、调速器、交流电机、电压调整器和变压器 (从水到电线) 的所有单元。

英加二期5号涡轮机组的单位投资成本为0.58美元/兆瓦,远低于已完工Mwadingusha项目 (1.45美元/兆瓦)。2022年4月26日,SNEL与领先的水电公司德国福伊特水电 (Voith Hydro) 在德国海登海姆签署5号涡轮机组升级改造的工程、采购和施工 (EPC) 合同。

英加二期水电站5号涡轮机组进行升级改造。

可持续发展促进社区繁荣

艾芬豪矿业于2010年创立“可持续民生计划”,旨在提升卡莫阿-卡库拉项目社区的食品安全和农作物生产。迄今,约有 900位社区居民正受益于民生计划,为家人生产优质食品并出售剩余产品以获得额外收入。“可持续民生计划”从最初的玉米和蔬菜种植已发展到目前包括水果种植、水产养殖、家禽养殖和养蜂。

2018年建成的香蕉种植园,现已种植11公顷的香蕉树。种植园由27名当地社区妇女持有,2022年7月份已收获及出售超过350公斤的香蕉。

来自TshomekaKatayiMundjendje社区的村民在收获香蕉 (20227)

 

增设的家畜养殖场计划于10月完工。养猪场与水产养殖项目 (由大约140个鱼塘组成,并计划再额外建设100个新鱼塘),将鼓励当地创业以及提高该地区的食物安全。

Muvunda诊所的建设已完工,正在添置和安装设备。Tshilongo教堂的施工已完成约60%。卡莫阿-卡库拉继续支持成人读写培训课程,部分参加者已毕业并担任课程的助教。

为期五年的首个监管发展方案 “Cahier des Charges” 正顺利进行,为教育、医疗保健、农业、饮用水供应和其他举措提供共计860万美元的资助。两所幼儿发展中心的建设即将完成,计划于2022年9月投入使用,相关课程已经制订准备妥当,为该地区提供首个早期教育计划。此外, Mupenda水产养殖项目和Muvunda家禽养殖项目已经开始运行;两所农村保健中心的规划设计也在顺利进行中。

当地社区合作经营计划继续推行,包括正在扩展的制砖、缝纫、绿化和园艺合作社 (现正对于业务效益和持续发展作出评估)。计划订购一台新的制砖机使产能翻倍,每月可平均生产约12万块砖。缝纫设施扩建后,产能将翻倍,每月可平均生产约600件个人防护设备。

Muvunda社区诊所建设竣工,正在添置和安装设备。

2022年铜精矿生产及现金成本

卡莫阿-卡库拉II期年处理矿石380万吨的选厂已于2022年4月7日实现商业化生产。2022年3月21日开始向 II 期选厂供矿,并已顺利生产首批铜精矿,比原计划提前约4个月。管理层预计 II 期选厂提前投产,将有利于卡莫阿-卡库拉达到2022年铜生产指导目标 (29至34万吨) 的上限。因此,艾芬豪矿业将卡莫阿-卡库拉2022年铜生产指导目标调整为31-34万吨。

2022年第二季度,卡莫阿-卡库拉合资项目已生产精矿含铜8.7万吨,2022年第一季度已生产5.6万吨。上述数字均以100%项目权益统计。报告的精矿含铜金属量未考虑冶炼协议中的损失或扣减。

2022年第二季度,C1现金成本为1.42美元/磅。2022年第一季度和2021第四季度现金成本分别为1.21美元/磅和1.28美元/磅。

第二季度的现金成本的增加主要是由于场外精矿运输和物流费用的大幅增加,考虑到卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂还将继续维护一段时间以及卡莫阿铜公司正在和其合作伙伴沟通物流优化方案,预计第三季度的现金成本还将有所增加。

此前公布的2022财年C1现金成本为每磅1.20美元至1.40美元的指导值继续保持不变,随着第四季度精矿运输和物流成本的降低,预计最终C1现金成本将处于指导范围的上限。

C1现金成本为非公认会计准则的财务指标。管理层以C1 现金成本评估经营业绩,其中包括所有直接采矿、选矿以及管理和行政成本。冶炼费和销售至最终港口 (通常是中国港口) 的运费扣减被列作销售收入的一部分,将计入C1现金成本,以得出交付成品金属的粗略成本。

关于过往成本的对比,请参阅本新闻稿中“非公认会计准则财务指标”的部分。

实际价格及临时定价的铜产量明细:

截至2022年6月底,按临时定价销售的12.6万吨铜精矿尚未完成最终交付结算。由于铜价近期下滑,公司对应铜价的变化在季度末有2.05亿美元的调整。

 

注:(1) 上季度临时定价并于本季度结算的铜产量。(2) 已销售的临时定价铜产量以未来几个月的最终定价为准。(3) 剩余产量包括本季度新增的临时定价铜产量以及上季度的余额。

2. 普拉特瑞夫项目

艾芬豪矿业持股64%

位于南非

普拉特瑞夫项目由 Ivanplats (Pty) Ltd. (以下简称 "Ivanplats") 持有,艾芬豪矿业持有Ivanplats公司64%的权益。《全面提高黑人经济实力法案》(B-BBEE) 的南非受益人持有项目26%的权益,这些受益人包括20个当地社区,约150,000位居民、项目雇员和当地企业主。伊藤忠商事株式会社、日本石油天然气和金属国家公司和日本天然气公司组成的日本财团通过 2 轮投资 (共2.9亿美元) 持有Ivanplats10%的权益。

普拉特瑞夫是一个地下开采矿山,铂族金属、镍、铜和金矿体厚大,位于林波波省的布什维尔德岩浆杂岩带北部,距离约翰内斯堡东北约280公里,距离波特希特斯镇约8公里。

在布什维尔德北翼,铂族金属矿化主要赋存在普拉特瑞夫层位,是一套走向延伸30多公里的矿化序列。艾芬豪的普拉特瑞夫项目位于普拉特瑞夫层位的南部,由Turfspruit及Macalacaskop两个相连的矿权组成。最北部的Turfspruit 矿权,邻近且位于英美铂金 (Anglo Platinum) Mogalakwena 矿山的走向延伸上。

自2007年以来,艾芬豪重点推进普拉特瑞夫的勘查和开发活动,以圈定和扩大早期发现的Flatreef矿床的深部延伸,以开展高度机械化的地下开采。1号竖井用于矿床的初步进场通道,现已正式运行并且从井下提升矿石。目前,艾芬豪正全力进行建设工程,以推进普拉特瑞夫 I 期于2024年第三季度实现投产。

 

普拉特瑞夫矿山鸟瞰图,显示投入运营的1号竖井 () 和在建的2号竖井 () 以及前方的径向堆料机。

普拉特瑞夫的职业健康与安全

截至2022 年6月底,普拉特瑞夫项目共录得1,243,146个零失时工伤工时。

 

1号竖井向生产井的转换已骏工,井下水平巷道开拓进展顺利

竖井装配已于2022年3月顺利完工,1号竖井按计划已完全投入 I 期采矿试生产。竖井转换工作完成后,2022年4月开始在950米中段开展初始水平巷道掘进。地下开发工作重点是建设从750米和850米中段到950米中段的废石运输通道,在各个工作站安装所需的地下基础设施,向首个含矿层、初始采场及1号通风井位置推进。2022年第二季度,在950米中段的开拓工程进展顺利,至今已完成200米以上的工程。将于2022年第3季度和第4季度开始在750米和850米中段开展采矿作业。

Ivanplats向瑞典安百拓 (Epiroc) 公司订购的首批主要采矿设备包括零排放的电动掘进凿岩台车、载重14吨的电动铲运机、电动锚索钻机以及载重42吨的电动卡车。首批设备已抵达现场并已运送到井下投入巷道开拓。

普拉特瑞夫的初始太阳能发电厂计划于2022年第三季度开始施工,预计于2023年投产。太阳能电力将用于矿山开发和建设活动,以及为普拉特瑞夫的电池动力地下采矿设备充电。

一台安百拓ST14电动铲运机在普拉特瑞夫井下运行。2022年第二季度,在950米中段的开拓工程进度理想。

2号竖井井架建设已完成

直径10米的2号竖井是非洲大陆最大型的提升竖井之一,是普拉特瑞夫 II 期扩建项目的关键路径。2022年8月,26米混凝土挂环施工完成后,Ivanplats计划继续建造103米高的混凝土井架。该井架将用于固定操作人员的工作场所并支撑岩石提升设施。按照计划,反向成井的先导孔和井塔安装将在2022年底前开始实施。这有可能为 II 期生产计划提前提供契机。

2号竖井井架 (从地基至井口) (红圈内) 的建设已于本季度內顺利完工。

普拉特瑞夫新可行性研究成果斐然

2022年2月28日,艾芬豪矿业公布普拉特瑞夫项目新的独立可行性研究 (以下简称 “2022可行性研究”) 的结果。普拉特瑞夫2022可行性研究是基于以两期开发达到520万吨/年稳态产能的方案而编制,并且是普拉特瑞夫目前实施的方案。

普拉特瑞夫2022可行性研究要点:

  • 普拉特瑞夫2022可行性研究对于普拉特瑞夫的分期开发方案进行了全面详细分析,初期70万吨/年的地下采矿能力及77万吨/年的选矿能力,以1号竖井附近的高品位矿带为目标采区,初期资本开支为4.88亿美元。
  • I 期计划于2024年第三季度实现首批精矿的生产,II 期扩建计划于2027年2号竖井投产后展开,其后建造两座220万吨/年的选厂,计划分别于2028年及2029年投产。2号竖井将用作首采井,以提升稳态产能至520万吨/年。
  • 估计II 期扩建的资本性开支为15亿美元,将由 I 期的现金流和项目融资方案提供部分资金。
  • Ivanplats勤勉尽责的工程团队及高级顾问团队正在评估优化2号竖井的凿井方法,以求大幅提前2号竖井的提升作业,加快整体开发进程。
  • I 期平均年产11.3万盎司的钯、铑、铂金和黄金 (以下简称“3PE+Au”) 以及500万磅镍和300万磅铜。
  • II 期平均年产59.1万盎司的3PE+Au金属以及1.2万吨镍和0.7万吨铜;这将使普拉特瑞夫成为世界第五大主要铂族金属矿山 (以钯金属当量排名)。
  • 矿山服务年限内的现金成本为每盎司 (3PE+Au) 514美元 (扣除副产品,并已计入维持性资本开支)。这将使普拉特瑞夫成为行业成本最低的主要铂族金属矿山。
  • 以长期共识价格计算,税后净现值为17亿美元 (折现率8%),内部收益率为18.5%。

3﹕普拉特瑞夫2022可行性研究分期开发方案

4﹕全球规模最大的在建贵金属矿山 (按探明和控制资源的金属量排名)

 

信息来源﹕公司文件、标准普尔全球市场情报。根据标准普尔全球市场情报数据库中最大规模的未被开发钯、铂金、黄金、银和铑金属项目进行排名 (以探明和控制的钯当量金属为标准)。钯当量计算包括钯、铂、黄金、银和铑盎司,并根据以下现货金属价格 (2022年2月23日) 假设计算﹕铂1,095美元/盎司、钯2,480美元/盎司、铑18,750美元/盎司、黄金1,909美元/盎司和银24.55美元/盎司。普拉特瑞夫的探明和控制资源量,以1克/吨边界品位估算。

普拉特瑞夫项目目前由3亿美元的金属流融资提供开发资金,正集中推进落实高级债务融资

2021年12月,Ivanplats就黄金、钯及铂金属流融资与猎户座矿业金融 (Orion Mine Finance) 及Nomad Royalty Company 达成协议。猎户座矿业金融是世界领先的金融集团,为矿业公司提供定制化的融资。Nomad Royalty Company是一家拥有贵金属特许使用权的公司,猎户座是该公司的大股东之一 (猎户座矿业金融及Nomad Royalty Company统称为"金属流买方")。Ivanplat目前的 I 期开发成本由交易结束时2021年12月份到账的第一期预付款7,500万美元供资,剩余的2.25亿美元预计于2022年第三季度在满足若干先决条件后支付。黄金金属流融资及钯-铂金属流融资都将顺从于高级债务融资的安排。

 

高级债务融资达1.5亿美元,预计仅在金属流融资全额提取后才能使用。Ivanplats仍可在其后筹集额外的债务或股权融资,并就未来任何高级债务的债权人安排与金属流买方预先达成协议。金属流融资由Ivanplats以普拉特瑞夫的资产和艾芬豪矿业在普拉特瑞夫的股份担保,对艾芬豪矿业并没有任何追索权。

普拉特瑞夫矿山长期供电(100MVA)

2022年第二季度,Ivanplats与南非公共电力公司Eskom达成供电协议,提供总计100MVA电力,并已获得施工许可证。目前已开始建设高架线,同时正兴建电缆塔架,计划于2023年第四季度完工。

普拉特瑞夫继续专注于社区发展、人力资源和职业技能培训

普拉特瑞夫项目的第二个社会和劳动计划 (SLP) 已获得批准。在第二个SLP中,Ivanplats计划以第一个SLP为基础,继续专注于培训和开发计划,其中包括:增加15名新培训师、向78名员工提供内部技术培训、延续向即将退休的员工提供新/其他技术的培训计划、为项目社区成员提供社区成人教育,以及向最少100名社区成员提供核心技术培训以及常用技能等。普拉特瑞夫项目继续支持多个教育计划,以及在运营社区提供免费无线上网。

第一个学员计划已成功完成,为50多名当地学生提供了学习机会。第二个学员计划于2022年10月开始,正在甄选50名学生。通过该计划,社区青年有机会获得国家健康与安全以或采矿技能培训,并获发证书。例如:作为Murray & Roberts培训学院提供的工程车操作培训。学员计划旨在促进性别多样化,目标是女生比例至少达到50%。第一个项目已经成功地吸引了54%的女学生。

当地经济发展项目将通过Mogalakwena市水井计划促进社区水源开发,包括Ga-Magongoa社区的招标以及在其它5个社区启动社会调查,为下一阶段的水资源项目做准备。其它正在计划中的SLP项目将与各方合作开展,包括翻新装修Tshamahansi村的一家诊所。

企业和供应商的发展承诺包括扩大现有的小卖部和洗衣房。洗衣房安装了新设备,可以满足公司和所有现场承包商的洗衣需求。计划中的小卖部扩建项目将包括三个独立的现场设施。正在确定当地商户来管理小卖部。

3. 基普什项目

艾芬豪矿业持有68%股权

位于刚果民主共和国

位于刚果(金)的基普什锌-铜-锗-银-铅矿,邻近基普什镇,距离卢本巴希西南约30公里。基普什地处中非铜矿带,位于卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目东南约250公里,距离赞比亚边境不足一公里。2011年11月,艾芬豪通过其全资子公司基普什控股,收购了基普什项目68%的权益;其余32%权益由刚果(金)国有矿业公司杰卡明持有。

基普什控股与杰卡明已签署新框架协议,推进基普什超高品位矿山重启商业化生产。基普什将成为全球品位最高的大型锌矿,投产前5年的平均锌品位达36.4%。

2022年至今的工作包括:签署早期采矿合同、修复井巷设施以配合未来建设,以及招聘项目开发的关键人员。

2022年6月,基普什控股与杰卡明根据基普什2022可行性研究批准了基普什项目的开发预算,并已开展长周期设备的采购及其它建设工程。目前正与潜在投资者讨论关于融资和包销的安排。

新框架协议要点 :

  • 基普什控股将向杰卡明转让其在基普什項目持有的6%股权和投票权,其后基普什控股和杰卡明将分别持有62%和38%的股权
  • 2027年1月25日后,基普什控股应向杰卡明转让其在基普什項目持有的5%股权和投票权,其后基普什控股和杰卡明将分别持有57%和43%的股权
  • 在完成上述6%和5%的股权转让后,如需按照适用的法律或监管规定将基普什項目的部分股权转让与国家或任何第三方,则应由杰卡明履约转让该等基普什項目股权,而基普什控股将保持項目57%的股权不变
  • 一旦开采和处理矿石量达到目前估算的证实和可信储量且不超过1,200万吨,则基普什控股应向杰卡明再转让其在基普什項目中持有的37%股权和投票权,其后基普什控股和杰卡明将分别持有基普什項目的20%和80%股权
  • 成立新的监事会和执行委员会,以及依比例设置的股东代表席位
  • 实施重点发展刚果 (金) 人才的新举措,包括个人发展、物色未来管理层、人才梯队计划以及员工性别平等
  • 已制订基普什项目锌精矿产品包销的招标框架,杰卡明全程参与
  • 基普什控股将继续通过股东贷款及/或第三方融资,为项目开发提供资金。股东贷款的利率为6%,从2022年1月1日起计息,适用于现有余额及任何后续贷款。根据现有股东贷款协议的条款,股东贷款的利率为伦敦同业拆借利率加4%,适用于80%的预付款,其余的20%免息。截至2022年6月30日,基普什控股的股东贷款余额 (已计入应付利息) 约5.57亿美元。

基普什的职业健康与安全

2021年6月底,基普什项目录得4,803,537个零失时工伤工时,距离基普什项目上次失时工伤事件已超过3年半。

促进社区发展

基普什项目建设了新的饮用水供应站为基普什市免费供水。基普什市社区成员从免费饮用水得到的日常支持涉及电力、化学消毒剂、日常维护、保安和紧急修复主要管网的泄漏,受惠人数多达十万人 (未计郊区的居民)。日常每小时连续泵送约1,000方米的饮用水供给使用者。

计划在五年内在基普什地区周围钻50个饮用水井,以到达当前未供电的区域。4口新水井已经钻探完毕,总共有16口太阳能饮用水井,由基普什项目安装。

作为支持社区教育的举措之一,基普什项目继续为Mungoti学校进行翻新工程,并向基普什的学生提供助学金和奖学金。2022学年,共有100名当地居民受益于该计划获得助学金。另有超过300名当地居民参与成人读写教育计划,该计划在过去两年因COVID-19疫情而暂停实体课,今年已恢复正常。

可行性研究报告公布久负盛名的基普什矿山的复产计划、为期两年的建设时间表以及卓越的经济测算结果

2022年2月14日,艾芬豪矿业公布基普什重启商业化生产计划的独立可行性研究。

基普什2022年可行性研究以两年建设周期为基础,与同类开发项目比较,利用现有的地表和地下大型基础设施,可大幅降低资本性开支。估计投产前资本性开支(包括应急费用)为3.82亿美元。

基普什2022可行性研究的重点是大锌矿带和南锌矿带的开采,估算的探明和控制矿产资源量之矿石量达1,180万吨,锌品位35.3%。基普什拥有超级高的锌品位,国际矿业领先的研究咨询集团伍德曼肯兹认为基普什锌品位超过全球第二高项目两倍以上 (见图 5)。

5﹕按锌金属量排名的全球十大锌矿

信息来源﹕伍德曼肯兹 (2022年1月)。注:上述项目 (基普什除外) 中各金属矿种的矿石量和金属品位均以公开披露为基础,由伍德曼肯兹编辑整理。伍德曼肯兹根据其对金属的长期价格假设,将各金属品位转换为当量锌品位。

基普什2022可行性研究计划重启地下开采作业,并且在地表建设一座新选厂,年处理矿石80万吨,生产精矿含锌金属约24万吨。

基普什矿山2022可行性研究概要:

  • 2022可行性研究对于80万吨/年地下采矿和选厂的开发方案进行了评价,资源规模较预可行性研究有所提高,矿山服务年限延长至14年
  • 与同类项目对比,基普什利用现有的地表和地下基础设施,可显着降低资本性开支。主要的建设项目是两年内在地表建造一座常规的浮选厂以及新的配套基础设施
  • 投产前的资本性开支 (包括应急费用) 约为3.82亿美元
  • 矿山服务年限内平均年产精矿含锌金属24万吨,锌品位32%,预计将使基普什跻身世界主要锌矿山之列 (图 3),一旦投产,其品位将远高于其它矿山
  • 矿山服务年限内的平均C1现金成本为0.65美元/磅。预计基普什投产后在全球锌生产商现金成本曲线中处于第2个四分位
  • 以1.20美元/磅的长期锌价估算,项目具有9.41亿美元的税后净现值(折现率8%)和40.9%的税后内部收益率,项目回报期2.3年

基普什2022可行性研究由OreWin Pty. Ltd. 、MSA Group (Pty.) Ltd. 、SRK Consulting (Pty) Ltd.及METC Engineering按100%项目权益独立开展。

基普什的采矿班组为安装电线和水管桥架打孔。

地下矿山完成升级改造,提供方便的进场通道以加快实现产量爬坡

在历史上,基普什的开采作业从地表延伸至1,220 米的深度。计划用作主要生产井的5号竖井 (P5),提升能力达180万吨/年,并用作主要进场通道,经1,150米运输中段进入矿山的较低中段 (包括大锌矿带)。

项目将采用高效的、机械化的开采方式,将使用废石混凝土进行采空区回填。地下采出的岩石将会运送到P5竖井的底部,破碎后提升至地表。工作人员和设备运送也将经P5竖井出入。采掘班组将经由现有的斜坡道进入大锌矿带,因此无需进行大规模建设。由于现有的斜坡道已低于规划中的首采中段,采掘班组可以更快速地进行首批锌矿的开拓工程以实现产量爬坡。

6﹕基普什矿山示意图。计划用作主要生产井的5号竖井,提升能力达180万吨/年。

4. 西部前沿勘查项目

艾芬豪矿业全资拥有及持有90%权益

位于刚果民主共和国

艾芬豪的刚果(金)勘探团队通过区域勘查和钻探,在其位于卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目以北、以南和以西的西部前沿探矿权内,重点勘查卡莫阿-卡库拉类型的铜矿化。艾芬豪的西部前沿勘查项目包括17个探矿证,总面积约2,407平方公里。

之前取得重大发现的原班地质团队,在西部前沿广阔的勘查区内,采用相同的勘查模型;该模型成功指导了卡库拉、卡库拉西区和卡莫阿北区富矿带的发现。

2022年第二季度的勘查工作,集中在Makoko西区继续进行钻探,以及在Lupemba矿区和探矿权北部的区域地层剖面进行地层钻探。2022年第二季度共完成39个金刚石钻孔,累计7,539米钻探进尺。此外,还在Makoko矿区完成了8个钻孔共284米的空气钻。随着雨季结束和地面状况改善,钻探范围将进一步扩大。

Makoko西区的勘查工作主要集中在2018年发现的Makoko南部矿体的西部延伸范围,以近地表的矿化为目标,利用Land Cruiser 空气钻钻机,钻孔深度不超过170米。2022年第二季度在Makoko西区施工21个钻孔共2,802米。

2022年第二季度在卡莫阿-卡库拉采矿权以北约3公里Mushiji勘查区施工了4个金刚石钻孔共1,716米。设计了两条勘探线,间距5公里,以查明探矿权北部是否存在下Nguba群与上罗安群砂岩,结果显示北部的勘查潜力不大,因此无需继续钻探。探矿权南部还有大量勘查前景乐观的地区。此外,现场团队还在Mushiji勘查区开展了填图工作,编制最新的地质图以研究罗安群的分布。

本季度的区域地层钻探主要集中在西部前沿西南的Lupemba地区,该地区拥有较为复杂的区域地磁信号。2022年第二季度在Lubudi、卡库拉东区和Lupemba分别完成了890米、1,025米和1,106米的金刚石钻探。

2021年启动的航空重力和电磁物探,于2022年第二季度末重新启动,该项工作即将完成。我们继续对获得的物探数据进行解译和分析,进一步了解西部前沿的构造域和盆地结构。大地重力测量正在进行中,并将与航测数据整合,在需要时提供更高分辨率。

艾芬豪2022年在西部前沿探矿权的初步勘查预算为2,500万美元。主要费用集中在勘查钻探,包括50,000多米的浅孔 (深度小于150米)、空气岩芯钻、反循环钻和金刚石钻探,旨在揭露Kalahari砂层下部的基岩位置并采取基岩样品。另外还初步设计了最高45,000米的区域深孔钻探,覆盖整个2,407平方公里的矿权范围,其中部分工程视前期工作结果而定。

季度财务信息精选

下表总结了八个季度滚动的财务信息摘要。艾芬豪在任何财务报告期间都没有任何经营收入。卡莫阿-卡库拉项目商业化生产所得的经营收入均被计入卡莫阿控股合资企业。艾芬豪在任何财务报告期间都未声明或支付任何股息或股东红利。

 

经营业绩讨论

截至2022630日止三个月 (对比 2021630) 的回顾

公司于2022年第二季度录得3.409亿美元的综合收益,2021年同期为9,570万美元的综合亏损。期内所录得的利润,主要是在合资企业中的利润份额、嵌入式衍生金融负债的公允价值变动,以及确认了基普什项目的递延所得税资产,详情将在下文阐述。

卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目于2022年第二季度销售8.6万吨铜,为卡莫阿控股合资企业创造4.941亿美元的收入。2022年第二季度,公司从合资企业记录的总收入为8,460万美元,总结如下:

 

2022年第二季度,公司在卡莫阿控股合资企业中的利润份额为4,970万美元,2021年第二季度则分担亏损1,000万美元。下表列出截至2022年6月30日止三个月及2021年同期公司应占合资企业的利润(亏损)汇总:

公司在2022年第二季度嵌入式衍生金融负债的公允价值录得1.836亿美元的收益,2021年第二季度嵌入式衍生金融负债的公允价值则录得8,570万美元的损失。

2022年第二季度的财务收入为3,860万美元,与2021年同期 (2,510万美元) 相比增加了1,350万美元。其中包括向卡莫阿控股合资企业提供的贷款利息,2022年第二季度的利息收入3,490万美元,2021年同期所得的利息收入为2,300万美元。

鉴于基普什股东已就开发方案达成协议,并根据可行性研究批准了开发预算,现在认为基普什项目很可能获得应税利润,可以计入未使用的税收损失和未使用的税收抵免。因此,公司于2022年6月确认了先前未确认的递延所得税资产,从而产生了1.142亿美元的递延所得税回收 (收入)。

2022年第二季度的勘查及项目评价开支为1,350万美元,2021年同期为1,200万美元。用于西部前沿探矿权的勘查活动,还包括用于基普什项目的开支,但由于项目在期内减少作业仅产生了有限的资本性开支。

截至2022630日止六个月 (对比 2021630) 的回顾

截至2022年6月30日止六个月,公司录得3.835亿美元的综合收益,2021年同期则录得7,950万美元的亏损。期内所录得的利润,主要是在合资企业的利润份额、嵌入式衍生金融负债的公允价值变动,以及确认了基普什项目的递延所得税资产,详情将在下文阐述。

截至2022年6月30日止六个月,卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目共销售13.8万吨铜,为卡莫阿控股合资企业取得10.137亿美元的收入。截至2022年6月30日止六个月,公司从合资企业计入的总收入为2亿美元,摘要如下:

截至2022年6月30日止六个月,公司应占合资企业的利润为1.368亿美元,2021年同期则分担1,410万美元的亏损。下表列出截至2022年6月30日止六个月及2021年同期公司为卡莫阿控股分担的亏损汇总:

截至2022年6月30日止六个月,公司在嵌入式衍生金融负债的公允价值录得1.172亿美元的收益,2021年同期嵌入式衍生金融负债的公允价值则录得6,010万美元的损失。

鉴于基普什股东已就开发方案达成协议,并根据可行性研究批准了开发预算,现在认为基普什项目很可能获得应税利润,可以计入未使用的税收损失和未使用的税收抵免。因此,公司于2022年6月确认了先前未确认的递延所得税资产,从而产生了1.142亿美元的递延所得税回收 (收入)。

截至2022年6月30日止六个月,财务收入为7,010万美元,与2021年同期 (4,790万美元) 相比高出2,220万美元。其中包括向卡莫阿控股合资企业提供的贷款利息,截至2022年6月30日止六个月的利息收入为6,320万美元,2021年同期所得的利息收入为4,410万美元。

截至2022年6月30日止六个月,勘查及项目评价开支为2,570万美元,2021年同期为2,070万美元,用于西部前沿探矿权的勘查活动,还包括用于基普什项目的开支,但由于项目在期内减少作业仅产生了有限的资本性开支。

截至2022630日的财务状况 (对比截至20211231)

截至2022年6月30日,公司的总资产为35.1亿美元,相比截至2021年12月31日的32.182亿美元上升2.918亿美元。总资产的增长主要是向卡莫阿控股合资企业的投资增加了2亿美元,从截至2021年12月31日的16.418亿美元到截至2022年6月30日的18.418亿美元。

公司在合资企业中的利润为1.368亿美元。截至2022年6月30日六个月,公司向合资企业提供贷款所得的利息收入为6,320万美元,明细如下﹕

卡莫阿-卡库拉项目于2021年7月启动商业化生产之前,卡莫阿控股合资企业主要使用股东贷款,用于开发支出、不动产、厂房和设备来推进卡莫阿-卡库拉项目的发展。这反映在公司享有的卡莫阿控股合资企业的净资产份额的变化上。

展望未来,铜产品销售收入和卡莫阿-卡库拉现有的信贷余额将足以支持项目 I 期和 II 期的所有运营支出以及 III 期的大部分资本性支出。卡莫阿控股合资企业的现金流情况摘要如下::

 

 

卡莫阿控股合资企业的不动产、厂房和设备从2021年12月31日增长至2022年6月30日,达到2.8亿美元,可进一步分解如下:

 

 

截至2022年6月30日,艾芬豪拥有5.072亿美元的现金和现金等价物,相比截至2021年12月31日的6.082亿美元减少1.01亿美元,主要是动用了4,760万美元现金支持运营以及3,340万美元用于不动产、厂房及设备的购置,并以1,330万美元战略入股南非新能源及氦气生产商Renergen。

截至2022年6月30日,公司的总负债为7.339亿美元,相比截至2021年12月31日的8.412亿美元减少了1.073亿美元,主要由于高级可转债相关的嵌入式衍生金融负债减少所致。

不动产、厂房和设备的净增长为3,380万美元,共计4,120万美元花费在项目开发及其它不动产、厂房及设备的购置。其中,3,890万美元用于普拉特瑞夫项目的开发成本及其它不动产、厂房及设备的购置。

普拉特瑞夫项目的各项支出对于项目迈向商业化生产而言是必需的,因此也资本化为不动产、厂房和设备。

20213月已完成可转债的发行

2021年3月17日,公司已完成私募发行总额为5.75亿美元、息票率2.50%、2026年到期的高级可转债。转换债券时,公司可选择以现金、普通股或其组合方式结算。鉴于上述的选择权及转换方式,可转债设有嵌入式的衍生负债,以公允价值计量且其变动计入当期损益,而主贷款则以摊余成本入账。

可转债为公司的高级无抵押债务,息票率2.50%,每半年付息一次。除非提前回购、赎回或转换,债券将于2026年4月15日到期。债券的初步转换率为每份面值1,000美元的债券可转换为134.5682股公司A类普通股,或相当于每普通股约7.43美元 (约9.31加元) 的初步转换价。

主负债的实际利率为9.39%,在2022年第二季度所得的可转债的利息为970万美元,其中70万美元为已资本化的借贷成本。主负债的账面值从2021年12月31日的4.374亿美元上升至2022年6月30日的4.509亿美元。

公司完成可转债发行时,衍生负债的公允价值为1.505亿美元,截至2021年12月31日已增加至2.442亿美元,并于2022年6月30日减少至1.27亿美元,截至2022年6月30日止六个月嵌入式衍生金融负债公允价值变动造成1.172亿美元的收入。嵌入式衍生负债的公允价值变动主要取决于公司普通股在不同报告日内的收盘价变动。

嵌入式衍生负债的公允价值根据以下的关键参数和假设﹕

流动资金来源

截至2022年6月30日,公司拥有5.071亿美元的现金和现金等价物。截至该日,公司的综合运营资金约为5.295亿美元,而截至2021年12月31日为6.548亿美元。

普拉特瑞夫项目于2021年12月已就黄金、钯及铂金属流融资达成协议,将为I期大部分的资本性开支提供资金。金属流融资是指买方以预付款项购买预售的精炼金属,预付款总额为3亿美元,分两期支付,第一期预付款7,500万美元已于2021年12月份交易结束时到账,剩余的2.25亿美元将在满足若干先决条件后支付。

基普什控股与杰卡明根据2022可行性研究批准了基普什项目的开发预算,并已开展长周期设备的采购及其它建设工程。目前正与潜在投资者讨论关于融资和包销的安排。

在2022年剩余时间,公司对于普拉特瑞夫项目的主要目标是要继续推进 I 期的建设工程,计划于2024年第三季度投产,并继续建设2号竖井的井架以提前 II 期投产。基普什控股与杰卡明根据2022可行性研究已批准了基普什项目的开发方案和预算,并已开展长周期设备的采购及其它建设工程。卡莫阿-卡库拉项目 I 期和 II 期已实现商业化生产,项目将重点提高运营效率,在 I 期和 II 期实施技改方案以及推进 III 期扩建。

2022年剩余时间预算拟投入1.29亿美元进一步开发普拉特瑞夫项目,7,800万美元用于基普什项目,以及2,100万美元用于公司经常性开支。2022年剩余时间将继续在刚果(金) 的西部前沿及其它靶区进行勘查,初步预算1,700万美元用于西部前沿及600万美元用于其它靶区。在卡莫阿控股合资企业层面,项目的所有运营支出及资本性开支将会从铜销售收入和卡莫阿现有的信贷出资。

2022年计划资本性开支明细如下::

注:(1) 卡莫阿-卡库拉项目框上的以上数据均以100%权益计算。(2) III 期和冶炼厂早期工程的预算仅是初步方案,将在预可行性研究更新完成后予以调整。

2021年3月17日,公司已完成私募发行总额为5.75亿美元、息票率2.50%、2026年到期的高级可转债。高级可转债为本公司的高级无抵押债务,息票率2.50%,每半年付息一次。除非提前回购、赎回或转换,债券将于2026年4月15日到期。在2025年10月15日前一个工作日结束前,仅在某些情况下和特定时间,债券可根据持有人的选择进行兑换,此后,可随时兑换,直至到期日前第二个计划交易日结束。转换债券时,本公司可选择以现金、普通股或其组合方式结算。截至2022年6月30日,主负债的账面值为4.509亿美元,嵌入式衍生负债的公允价值为1.27亿美元。

非公认会计准则财务指标

 

卡莫阿-卡库拉的C1现金成本和每磅C1现金成本

C1现金成本及每磅C1现金成本为非公认会计准则的财务指标。这些披露使投资者更清楚了解卡莫阿-卡库拉项目的表现,与其他铜生产商按照类似指标公布的业绩作比较。

C1现金成本的计算基准与伍德曼肯兹成本指南制定的行业标准定义一致,但并非IFRS认可的计量。在计算C1现金成本时,成本的计量基准与财务报表中所述的公司应占卡莫阿控股合资企业的收益份额相同。管理层以C1现金成本评估经营业绩,其中包括所有直接采矿、选矿以及行政和管理成本。冶炼费和销售至最终港口的运费被列作销售收入的一部分,将计入C1现金成本,以得出交付最终结算金属产品的粗略成本。权益金、产品税和非经常性费用并非直接生产成本,因此不会计入C1现金成本及每磅C1现金成本。

卡莫阿-卡库拉平衡后的销售成本与C1现金成本:

上述数字均以100%项目权益统计。

EBITDAEBITDA利润率

EBITDA为非公认会计准则的财务指标,是指未计所得税、财务成本、财务收入和折旧之前的净利润。

艾芬豪认为卡莫阿-卡库拉的EBITDA是衡量项目是否有能力产生流动性的重要指标,通过产生运营现金流为其营运所需提供资金、偿还债务、为资本性开支供资,以及向股东派发现金股利。投资者和分析师也经常使用 EBITDA进行估值。EBITDA旨在向投资者和分析师提供额外信息,但并非由IFRS标准定义的,故不应被独立评估或取代按照IFRS制订的表现指标。EBITDA撇除融资活动的现金成本和税项的影响以及运营资金余额变动的影响,因此并不代表IFRS所定义的营业利润或经营产生的现金流。公司计算 EBITDA 的方法可能与其他公司有所不同。

EBITDA利润率是衡量卡莫阿-卡库拉整体经济性的指标,反映了其盈利能力,计算方法是将息税折旧及摊销前利润除以收入。息税折旧摊销前利润旨在向投资者和分析师提供额外信息,根据《国际财务报告准则》没有任何标准化定义,不应单独考虑,也不应作为根据《国际会计准则》编制的业绩指标的替代品。

损益与EBITDA的对账如下﹕

上述数字均以卡莫阿控股合资企业100%权益计算。

合资格人

本新闻稿中关于卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目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-卡库拉铜矿项目的负责人,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。吉尔克里斯特先生是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。

艾芬豪已经为卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目、普拉特瑞夫项目和基普什项目分别编制了一份符合NI 43-101 标准的独立技术报告,这些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。
  • 2022年2月14日发布的基普什2022可行性研究,由OreWin Pty Ltd.、MSA Group (Pty) Ltd.、SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd. 和METC Engineering编制。
  • 2022年2月28日发布的普拉特瑞夫2022可行性研究,由OreWin Pty Ltd.、Mine Technical Services、SRK Consulting Inc. 、DRA Projects (Pty) Ltd 以及 Golder Associates Africa编制。

这些技术报告包括本新闻稿中引用的普拉特瑞夫项目、基普什项目和卡莫阿-卡库拉项目的矿产资源估算的生效日期、假设、参数和方法等信息,以及本新闻稿中关于普拉特瑞夫项目、基普什项目和卡莫阿-卡库拉项目的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,正在推进旗下位于南部非洲的三大主要项目: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钯-铑-镍-铂-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、久负盛名的基普什锌-铜-锗-银矿的大型重建和改善工程。

联系方式

投资者

温哥华﹕马修·基维尔 (Matthew Keevil),电话﹕+1.604.558.1034

伦敦﹕托米·霍顿 (Tommy Horton) ,电话﹕+44 7866 913 207

媒体

坦尼娅·托德 (Tanya Todd) ,电话﹕+1.604.331.9834

网址﹕www.ivanhoemines.com

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、不确定性和其他因素,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。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) 关于技改方案完成后,预期I 期和 II 期选厂的总设计产能将提升21%至920万吨/年和相关支出的陈述;(ii) 关于预计到2023年第二季度,卡莫阿-卡库拉I期和II期的年产量将达到45万吨铜以上的陈述;(iii) 关于预计铜销售和卡莫阿-卡库拉的信贷融资足以支持卡莫阿-卡库拉II期和III期扩建大部分资本性开支的陈述;(iv) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉III 期扩建的预可行性研究将于2022年第四季度发布的陈述;(v) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉 III 期将包括卡莫阿1区和卡莫阿2区两座新建的地下矿山,以及卡库拉西区首条斜坡道的建设工程的陈述;(vi) 关于在卡莫阿两座新矿山附近建设一座500万吨/年新选厂的陈述;(vii) 关于III 期将于2024年底投产,卡莫阿-卡库拉的总矿石处理量将超过1,400万吨/年的陈述;(viii) 关于III期投产后,铜产能将提升至约60万吨/年,这将使卡莫阿-卡库拉成为全球第三大铜矿山以及非洲大陆最大铜矿的陈述;(ix) 关于英加二期项目预计将产生178兆瓦的可再生水电,为卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目和冶炼厂提供长期的稳定电力以配合III期和日后扩建计划,同时使当地社区受惠的陈述;(x) 关于英加二期升级改造项目将于2024年第四季度完工的陈述;(xi) 关于II期选厂提前投产,将有利于卡莫阿-卡库拉达到之前公布的2022年铜生产指导目标 (290,000至340,000吨) 上限的陈述;(xii) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目的2022年生产精矿含铜金属的指导目标为2 90,000吨至340,000吨的陈述;(xiii) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目的2022年现金成本指导目标为1.20至1.40美元/磅的陈述;(xiv) 关于普拉特瑞夫竖井将配备两个12.5吨的箕斗,提升能力达100万吨/年,由于设置更改后不需要可转换的罐笼,因此在开采初期可用更多时间进行矿石提升的陈述;(xv) 关于普拉特瑞夫的初始太阳能发电厂计划于2022年第三季度开始施工,预计于2023年投产,太阳能电力将用于矿山开发和建设活动,以及为普拉特瑞夫的电池动力地下采矿设备充电的陈述;(xvi) 关于继续建设2号竖井的井架,预计于今年晚些时候开展凿井工程以提前实现II期投产的陈述;(xvii) 关于普拉特瑞夫项目新独立可行性研究确定新分期开发方案的可行性,加快普拉特瑞夫于2024年第三季度投产的陈述;(xviii) 关于Ivanplats将根据金属流融资协议条款并在满足若干先决条件后收取2.25亿美元的陈述;(xix) 关于普拉特瑞夫项目的高级债务融资,包括仅在金属流融资全额提取后才能使用的陈述;(xx) 关于 I 期生产的用水需求预计最高约300万公升/天,II 期扩建完工后将提高至900万公升/天的陈述;(xxi) 关于以5南非兰特每1,000公升的较低价格向Masodi 废水处理厂购买中水的陈述;(xxii) 关于项目计划重新启动Masodi废水处理厂的建设工程,预计投入约2.15亿南非兰特 (约1,300万美元),工程需时18个月的陈述;(xxiii) 关于普拉特瑞夫项目实施第二个社会和劳动计划的陈述;(xxiv) 关于普拉特瑞夫矿山的常设培训学院添置设备的进度理想,计划于2022年正式开幕的陈述;(xxv) 关于基普什将成为全球品位最高的大型锌矿,投产前5年的平均锌品位达36.4%的陈述;(xxvi) 关于基普什控股与杰卡明签署新框架协议,推进基普什超高品位矿山重启商业化生产的陈述;(xxvii) 关于基普什控股将继续通过股东贷款及/或第三方融资,为基普什项目开发提供资金的陈述;(xxviii) 关于基普什项目计划于未来5年在基普什区域范围建设50个水井,为偏远地区提供水源的陈述;(xxix) 关于基普什复产开发的建设周期为两年,与同类开发项目比较,利用现有的地表和地下大型基础设施,可大幅降低资本性开支,估计投产前资本性开支(包括应急费用) 为3.82亿美元的陈述;(xxx) 关于基普什2022可行性研究计划重启地下开采作业,并且在地表建设一座新选厂,年处理矿石80万吨,生产精矿含锌金属约24万吨的陈述;(xxxi) 关于艾芬豪2022年在西部前沿项目的初步勘查预算为2,500万美元,主要费用集中在勘查钻探,超过50,000米的浅孔 (深度小于150米)、空气岩芯钻、反循环钻和金刚石钻探,另外还初步设计了最高45,000米的区域深孔钻探,覆盖整个2,407平方公里的矿权范围,其中部分工程视勘查结果而定的陈述;(xxxii) 关于基普什股东已就开发方案达成协议,并根据可行性研究批出开发预算的陈述;以及 (xxxiii) 关于2022年的主要目标和2022年预算,以及在2022年剩余时间公司预算拟投入1.29亿美元进一步开发普拉特瑞夫项目,7,800万美元用于基普什项目、2,100万美元用于公司经常性开支,以及1,700万美元用于西部前沿的陈述。

此外,卡库拉铜矿可行性研究、卡库拉-卡索科2020预可行性研究、更新和扩展的卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目初步经济评价、普拉特瑞夫2022 可行性研究以及基普什2022可行性研究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、估计矿山服务年限、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、普拉特瑞夫及基普什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、镍、锌、铂金、钯、铑和黄金的价格;(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) 项目范围或设计更变;(xvii) 回收率、开采率和品位;(xviii) 政治因素;(xix) 矿山进水情况及对于开采作业的潜在影响;以及 (xx) 电源的稳定性和供应。

 

本新闻稿还载有矿产资源和矿产储量估算的参考信息。矿产资源估算未能确定,并涉及对许多有关因素的主观判断。矿产储量的估算提供了更多的确定性,但仍然涉及类似的主观判断。矿产资源不是矿产储量,不具有论证的经济潜力。任何该等估算的准确性是可用数据的数量和质量函数,并根据工程和地质诠释的假设和判断而作出 (包括公司项目的未来产量估算、预期将开采的矿石量和品位,以及估计将实现的回收率),可能被证明是不可靠,在一定程度上取决于钻探结果和统计推论的分析,而最终可能证明是不准确的。矿产资源或矿产储量估算可能需要根据下列因素作出重新估算﹕(i) 铜、镍、锌、铂族金属、黄金或其他矿产价格的波动;(ii) 钻探结果;(iii) 选冶试验和其他研究的结果;(iv) 建议采矿作业,包括贫化;(v) 在矿山计划的任何估算及/或变更日期之后作出的矿山计划评估 (vi) 未能取得所需准许、批准和许可证的可能性;以及(vii) 法律或法规的修订。

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”以及公司截至2022年6月30日止三个月及六个月的《管理层讨论与分析》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。

基于公司截至2022年6月30日止三个月及六个月的《管理层讨论与分析》的"风险因素" 所指的因素,公司的实际业绩可能与这些前瞻性陈述所预计的业绩产生重大差异。

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