KOLWEZI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) Co-Chairs Robert Friedland and Yufeng “Miles” Sun are pleased to announce today that the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo has set a new monthly production record in May, with 29,800 tonnes of copper in concentrate produced.
Kamoa Copper’s record monthly production was achieved despite planned interruptions during the month. These planned interruptions involved scheduled maintenance for two days on the Phase 1 plant, including relining of the primary ball mill; and the successful commissioning of the third Larox filter press from Metso Outotec of Espoo, Finland, on May 9, which allows Kamoa Copper to leverage the enhanced ore throughput rates at the front-end of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 plants.
Kamoa-Kakula milled 660,000 tonnes of ore during the month at an average feed grade of 5.5% copper, currently positioning the Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrator plants at a combined annualized processing rate of approximately 8 million tonnes. Average feed grades are expected to trend toward long-term projections as Phase 2 establishes steady-state design capacity. Over the last seven months, the Phase 1, 3.8-million-tonne-per-annum concentrator plant has consistently exceeded design ore throughput by approximately 10% to 15%.
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, and first copper concentrate was produced approximately four months ahead of the originally announced development schedule. The Phase 2 plant now is consistently operating at comparable throughputs and recoveries to the Phase 1 plant.
Kamoa Copper management anticipates that the accelerated ramp-up of the Phase 2 concentrator plant will enable Kamoa-Kakula to deliver in the upper end of its 2022 copper production guidance of 290,000 to 340,000 tonnes.
The existing Phase 1 and 2 concentrators also will be de-bottlenecked and are expected to be operating at a combined throughput of 9.2 million tonnes of ore per year by the second quarter of 2023, which will increase Kamoa-Kakula’s annual copper production to more than 450,000 tonnes. This production rate will rank Kamoa Copper as the world’s fourth-largest copper producer.
Kamoa-Kakula's Phase 1 and Phase 2 plants milled a record 660,000 tonnes of ore in May for an annualized run rate of approximately 8 million tonnes per year.
Watch a June video highlighting Kamoa-Kakula’s operations and phased expansion: https://vimeo.com/717343101/2c3ff0216f
“Kamoa-Kakula continues to be an industry-leading example of responsible, world-scale development delivered on budget, and ahead of schedule, a unique accomplishment for major mining projects,” Mr. Friedland said. “The Kamoa Copper management team has smashed another milestone with the rapid ramp-up of the Phase 2 plant. We expect the lessons learned to serve us well as we continue to expand Kamoa-Kakula into one of the world's largest copper mining complexes, while providing exceptional returns for our shareholders.
“Together with our joint-venture partner, Zijin Mining, and alongside the Congolese nation, we have resolved to fast-track expansions at the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex to meet a rising world-wide demand for responsibly-produced copper metal. Kamoa Copper’s accomplishments also demonstrate the great potential and strategic importance of the Democratic Republic of Congo as we electrify the world economy, which will require an historic quantity of copper and many other vital metals. Kamoa Copper is proof that the country's vast mineral and hydropower potential can be realized to provide long-lasting economic and social benefits for the Congolese people.”
Figure 1: Monthly Kakula cumulative copper production – total production of approximately 220,000 tonnes copper from May 2021 to May 31, 2022.
Excavation for expanded concentrate thickener capacity; part of the ongoing de-bottlenecking program that will increase Kamoa-Kakula's total throughput to approximately 9.2 million tonnes of ore per annum by Q2 2023.
Kamoa Copper well on track to reach upper end of 2022 copper production guidance with record performance in May
The successful early commissioning and accelerated ramp-up of the Phase 2 concentrator plant positions Kamoa-Kakula to deliver the upper-end of its 2022 production guidance, with approximately 112,570 tonnes of copper in concentrate produced year to date, and 218,433 tonnes of copper in concentrate produced from May 2021 through May 31, 2022.
In May, Kamoa-Kakula’s record monthly production of 29,800 tonnes of copper in concentrate produced was achieved despite planned interruptions during the month. These planned interruptions involved scheduled maintenance for two days on the Phase 1 plant, including relining of the primary ball mill; and the successful commissioning of the third Larox filter press from Metso Outotec of Espoo, Finland, on May 9, which allows Kamoa Copper to leverage the enhanced ore throughput rates at the front-end of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 plants.
The monthly throughput rate of 660,000 tonnes of ore positions Kamoa Copper at a current annualized processing rate of approximately eight million tonnes per annum, or approximately 9% above nameplate capacity for the Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrator plants.
The Phase 1, steady-state-design copper recovery is approximately 86%, depending on ore feed grade. Phase 2 recovery continues to trend upward, and currently averages approximately 83%.
Kamoa Copper anticipates the upward trend in production to continue over the near-term, as Phase 2 drives a production increase to an expected rate of more than 400,000 tonnes copper per year.
A de-bottlenecking program is underway at Kamoa-Kakula to expand the design processing capacity of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrators by 21%, to a combined 9.2 million tonnes of ore per year. Copper production from Kamoa Copper’s first two phases is on track to exceed 450,000 tonnes per year by the second quarter of 2023.
Bovic Kilambe, Drill Rig Supervisor; Sun Mingyang, Welder; and Polite Mnyokemi, Instrument Technician, underground at Kakula South near the southwest pumping station and water dam.
The Phase 1 concentrator plant (left), steady-state-design copper recovery is approximately 86%, depending on ore feed grade, with Phase 2 now demonstrating comparable recovery rates.
Kamoa Copper’s Projects Construction teamcelebrates commissioning of Kamoa-Kakula’s third Larox concentrate filter press.
Construction on Phase 3 box cut nearing completion at the Kamoa 1 and Kamoa 2 mines
Engineering and construction work for the Phase 3 expansion, including a new box cut and twin declines to access new mining areas, are progressing quickly. 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.
Construction on the new box cut is nearing completion at the Kamoa 1 and Kamoa 2 mines, with decline development well underway to provide access to the main Phase 3 mining areas.
The pre-feasibility study for the Phase 3 expansion is well advanced and expected to be released in the second half of 2022.
A new, 5-million-tonne-per-annum concentrator plant will be constructed adjacent to the two new mines at Kamoa. Upon commencement of Phase 3 production, Kamoa Copper will have a total ore processing capacity greater than 14 million tonnes per annum.
The larger Phase 3 plant is based on the design principles and successful implementation of Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1 and Phase 2 plants. Phase 3 also will be similarly constructed with the sizing of the front end of the plant (crushing and screening) designed to accommodate double its initial milling capacity.
Phase 3 is expected to increase copper production capacity to approximately 600,000 tonnes per year by the fourth quarter of 2024, which will position Kamoa Copper as the world’s third-largest copper mining complex, and the largest copper mining complex on the African continent.
Construction progress on the new box cut and twin declines is nearing completion at the Phase 3 Kamoa 1 and Kamoa 2 mines.
The Kamoa 1 and Kamoa 2 underground mines will supply ore for the Phase 3 expansion, which is expected to boost total annual copper production to 600,000 tonne. A 5-million-tonnes-per-annum plant will be constructed adjacent.
Bulk earthworks progressing for Kamoa-Kakula’s direct-to-blister flash smelter, with first on-site copper metal production scheduled for Q4 2024
Earthworks and engineering for Kamoa-Kakula’s direct-to-blister flash smelter, adjacent to the Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrator plants, are well underway.
The smelter uses technology supplied by Metso Outotec of Espoo, Finland, and has been sized to process the bulk of the copper concentrate forecast to be produced by the Phase 1, 2 and 3 concentrator plants, with a production capacity of 500,000 tonnes per annum of approximately 99%-pure blister copper.
The smelter, once in operation, will enable Kamoa-Kakula to reduce its C1 cash costs per pound of payable copper produced by approximately 10% to 20%, driven by significantly reduced transportation costs, decreasing overall volumes shipped by approximately half.
China Nerin Engineering Company Co., Ltd. has been appointed to carry out the basic engineering design and develop a control budget estimate for the smelter with some early works engineering and procurement activities running in parallel. Work is progressing well and tenders for all long lead item have been issued to the market.
Earthworks and site preparation are well underway for Kamoa-Kakula's direct-to-blister flash smelter, which will be adjacent to the Phase 1 and Phase 2 plants.
Long-lead time items ordered for Inga II hydroelectric refurbishment, with main construction works scheduled to begin in July
In May 2022, Ivanhoe Mines Energy DRC, a sister company of Kamoa Copper tasked with delivering reliable, clean, renewable hydropower to the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mining Complex, placed initial orders for long-lead time items related to the refurbishment of Turbine #5 at the Inga II hydroelectric complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Site mobilization and main construction works on the project are scheduled to commence in July, with commissioning expected by the fourth quarter of 2024.
In July 2021, Ivanhoe Mines Energy DRC 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 Turbine #5 in the existing Inga II hydropower facility on the Congo River.
This partnership successfully refurbished and modernized the Mwadingusha hydropower plant in 2021, which now provides 78 megawatts (MW) to the national grid.
The Inga II project is expected to produce an additional 178 MW of renewable hydropower, providing the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex with sustainable electricity for Phase 3 and future expansions, while also benefitting local communities.
The Inga II hydropower facility was originally equipped between 1977 and 1982, and has eight 178-MW turbine and generator units. Turbine #5 is pictured below.
At Turbine #5, work will involve upgrading and replacing all equipment, including water intake, turbine, speed governor, alternator, voltage regulator and transformers (water to wire). In addition, the process of upgrading the transmission infrastructure from Inga to the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex is underway.
The Inga II Turbine #5 project is expected to have significantly lower unitary cost per megawatt produced ($0.58 million/MW) compared to the completed Mwadingusha project ($1.45 million/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.
Ivanhoe Mines Energy DRC is working with SNEL to upgrade Turbine #5 at the Inga II hydropower facility on the Congo River to provide 178-MW of clean electricity.
Qualified Persons
Disclosures of a scientific or technical nature at the Kamoa-Kakula Project in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Steve Amos, who is considered, by virtue of his education, experience and professional association, a Qualified Person under the terms of NI 43-101. Mr. Amos is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is the Head of the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex. Mr. Amos has verified the technical data disclosed in this news release.
Ivanhoe has prepared an independent, NI 43-101-compliant technical report for the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex, which is available on the company’s website and under the company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com:
- Kamoa-Kakula Integrated Development Plan 2020 dated October 13, 2020, prepared by OreWin Pty Ltd., China Nerin Engineering Co., Ltd., DRA Global, Epoch Resources, Golder Associates Africa, KGHM Cuprum R&D Centre Ltd., Outotec Oyj, Paterson and Cooke, Stantec Consulting International LLC, SRK Consulting Inc., and Wood plc.
The technical report includes relevant information regarding the assumptions, parameters and methods of the mineral resource estimates on the Kamoa-Kakula 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.
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-platinum-nickel-copper-gold discovery in South Africa; and the extensive redevelopment and upgrading of the historic Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kamoa-Kakula is the world’s fastest growing major copper mine. Kamoa-Kakula began producing copper concentrates in May 2021 and, through phased expansions, is positioned to become one of the world's largest copper producers. Kamoa-Kakula is being powered by clean, renewable hydro-generated electricity and is projected to be among the world’s lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of metal produced. Ivanhoe Mines has pledged to achieve net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mining Complex. Ivanhoe also is exploring for new copper discoveries on its Western Foreland exploration licences in the Democratic Republic of Congo, near the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex.
About the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mining Complex
Kamoa-Kakula is the world’s fastest growing and highest-grade major copper mining complex. Based on independent benchmarking, the project’s phased expansion scenario to 19 million tonnes per annum would position Kamoa-Kakula as the world’s second-largest copper mining complex, with peak annual copper production of more than 800,000 tonnes. Copper production from the Kamoa Copper’s first two phases is projected to exceed 450,000 tonnes per year by Q2 2023, positioning Kamoa Copper as the world’s fourth largest copper producer.
A 2020 independent audit of Kamoa-Kakula's greenhouse gas intensity metrics performed by Hatch Ltd. of Mississauga, Canada, confirmed that the project will be foremost among the world's lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of copper produced.
The Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex is a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines (39.6%), Zijin Mining Group (39.6%), Crystal River Global Limited (0.8%) and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (20%).
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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: (i) statements that an updated pre-feasibility study for Phase 3 is scheduled for H2 2022; (ii) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula becoming the world's third-largest copper mining complex by Q4 2024, with copper production of approximately 600,000 tonnes per year; (iii) statements regarding first copper production from Phase 3 expected in Q4 2024; (iv) statements regarding the Phase 1 and 2 de-bottlenecking program increasing combined throughput to 9.2 million tonnes of copper concentrate per year by Q2 2023 and increasing annual copper production to more than 450,000 tonnes; (v) statements regarding the Kamoa-Kakula’s phased expansion scenario to 19 Mtpa would position Kamoa-Kakula as the world’s second-largest copper mining complex, with peak annual copper production of more than 800,000 tonnes; (vi) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula will be among the world's lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of copper produced; (vii) statements on achieving net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mine; (viii) statements regarding the Phase 3 expansion to include a third 5 million-tonne-per-annum concentrator, adjacent to two new underground mines; (ix) statements regarding Kamoa Copper’s first copper metal production from on-site flash smelter expected in Q4 2024; (x) statements regarding the associated power and surface infrastructure for Phase 3 will be designed to support future expansions; (xi) statements regarding the Kamoa-Kakula smelter nameplate capacity of 500,000 tonnes a year of approximately 99%-pure blister copper; (xii) statements regarding the smelter enabling Kamoa-Kakula to reduce its C1 cash costs per pound of payable copper produced by approximately 10 to 20%; (xiii) statements regarding the Inga II Turbine #5 project being complete by Q4 2024, and providing 178 MW of hydropower to the grid; and (xiv) statements regarding the current run rate 8 million tonnes per year.
As well, all of the results of the Kakula definitive feasibility study, the Kakula-Kansoko pre-feasibility study and the Kamoa-Kakula preliminary economic assessment, constitute forward-looking statements or information, and include future estimates of internal rates of return, net present value, future production, estimates of cash cost, proposed mining plans and methods, mine life estimates, cash flow forecasts, metal recoveries, estimates of capital and operating costs and the size and timing of phased development of the projects. Furthermore, with respect to this specific forward-looking information concerning the development of the Kamoa-Kakula Project, the company has based its assumptions and analysis on certain factors that are inherently uncertain. Uncertainties include: (i) the adequacy of infrastructure; (ii) geological characteristics; (iii) metallurgical characteristics of the mineralization; (iv) the ability to develop adequate processing capacity; (v) the price of copper; (vi) the availability of equipment and facilities necessary to complete development; (vii) the cost of consumables and mining and processing equipment; (viii) unforeseen technological and engineering problems; (ix) accidents or acts of sabotage or terrorism; (x) currency fluctuations; (xi) changes in regulations; (xii) the compliance by joint venture partners with terms of agreements; (xiii) the availability and productivity of skilled labour; (xiv) the regulation of the mining industry by various governmental agencies; (xv) the ability to raise sufficient capital to develop such projects; (xvi) changes in project scope or design; and (xvii) political factors.
Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed below and under “Risk Factors”, and elsewhere in this release, as well as unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release.
The company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors set forth below in the “Risk Factors” section in the company’s 2022 Q1 MD&A and its current annual information form.
刚果民主共和国科卢韦齐 — 艾芬豪矿业 (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) 联席董事长罗伯特·弗里兰德 (Robert Friedland) 与孙玉峰 (Miles Sun) 今天欣然宣布，位于刚果民主共和国的卡莫阿-卡库拉 (Kamoa-Kakula) 铜矿5月份创下全新月度纪录，生产精矿含铜金属29,800吨。
尽管受到计划中的停产影响，卡莫阿铜业仍然创下月度生产纪录。计划的停产主要包括I期选厂为期两天的定期维护工作 (其中包括主球磨机换衬板)，以及第三台Larox精矿压滤机于5月9日成功试生产。该压滤机由芬兰美卓奥图泰 (Metso Outotec) 公司制造，投产后使卡莫阿铜业在I期和II期选厂充分扩大产能。
卡莫阿-卡库拉本月共处理66万吨矿石，平均入选品位5.5%，使I期和II期选厂的年化总产能提升至约800万吨/年。随着II期实现设计稳产，预计未来数月的平均入选品位将有所增加。过去7个月，I期380万吨/年选厂的产能比设计产能持续高出约10%至15%。
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期选厂供矿并顺利投产，比原计划提前约4个月。目前，II期选厂持续以与I期选厂相近的产能和回收率运行。
卡莫阿铜业管理层预计II期选厂加速爬坡，将有利于卡莫阿-卡库拉达到2022年铜生产指导目标 (290,000至340,000吨) 的上限。
I期和II期选厂的技改方案完成后，预计到2023年第二季度，两座选厂的总设计产能将提升至920万吨/年，卡莫阿-卡库拉的年产铜将超过45万吨，这将使卡莫阿铜业成为全球第四大铜生产商。
5月份卡莫阿-卡库拉I期和II期选厂共处理66万吨矿石，两座选厂的年化总产能约800万吨/年。
点击观看卡莫阿-卡库拉6月份生产作业和分期扩建的视频https://vimeo.com/717343101/2c3ff0216f
“卡莫阿-卡库拉继续成为行业领先的典范，以负责任的方式、在预算之内超计划提前建成世界级项目，对于大型采矿项目来说是举世罕见的斐然成就。”弗里兰德先生说道，“卡莫阿铜业管理层实现又一重要里程碑，加快推进II 期选厂爬坡实现稳产。我们期望过往汲取的经验将助力后续扩建，使卡莫阿-卡库拉成为全球规模最大的铜矿之一，并为我们的股东带来出色的回报。”
“我们与合作伙伴紫金矿业以及刚果(金)政府携手奋进，力求加快卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目的后续扩建，以满足全球对于铜金属日益增长的需求。同时，卡莫阿铜业的成就展示了刚果(金)的巨大潜力和战略重要性，因为我们需要大量的铜和其它关键金属以推动世界经济电气化。卡莫阿铜业证明了刚果(金)大量的矿产资源和水电潜力能够为该国人民带来长期的经济和社会利益。”
图1：卡库拉月度累计铜产量 - 2021年5月至2022年5月31日的铜产量总计约220,000吨。
作为技改工程的一部分，开挖场地以提高选厂精矿浓密机产能，预计到2023年第二季度，卡莫阿-卡库拉的总产能将提升920万吨/年。
5月份卡莫阿铜业新的月度生产纪录，预计2022年将按计划达到铜生产指导目标的上限
II期选厂成功提前投产和加速爬坡，将有利于卡莫阿-卡库拉达到2022年铜生产指导目标的上限，2022年至今已生产精矿含铜金属约112,570吨。2021年5月至2022年5月31日期间共生产精矿含铜金属218,433吨。
尽管受到计划中的停产影响，5月份卡莫阿铜业仍然创下月度纪录，生产精矿含铜金属29,800吨。计划中的停产主要包括I期选厂的定期维护保养 (其中包括主球磨机换衬板)，以及第三台Larox精矿压滤机于5月9日成功试车。压滤机由芬兰美卓奥图泰公司制造，投产后使卡莫阿铜业在I期和II期选厂充分扩大产能。
本月累计处理66万吨矿石，使得卡莫阿铜业目前的年化处理产能提高至约800万吨/年，相比I期和II期选厂的设计产能高出约9%。
I期选厂设计稳产的铜回收率约86%，视入选品位有所浮动。 II期选厂的铜回收率持续提高，目前平均回收率约83%。
卡莫阿铜业预期，随着II期加速爬坡至超过40万吨/年的产能，铜产量将于短期内继续攀升。
钻机主管Bovic Kilambe、焊工孙明阳和仪表技工Polite Mnyokemi在卡库拉南区井下。
I期选厂 (左) 的设计稳产铜回收率约86%，视入选品位有所浮动， II期选厂当前的铜回收率与之相当。
卡莫阿铜业项目施工团队庆祝卡莫阿-卡库拉的第三台Larox精矿压滤机正式投产。
III期卡莫阿1区和卡莫阿2区的新井口建设即将竣工
III期扩建的工程设计和施工进展迅速，其中包括新的井口和双斜坡道。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。
卡莫阿1区和卡莫阿2区的新井口建设即将完工，斜坡道的开拓工程进度理想，将用于III期主要采区的进场通道。
III 期扩建项目的预可行性研究进展顺利，预计于2022年下半年发布。
卡莫阿两座新矿山附近将建设一座500万吨/年的新选厂。III 期扩建实现投产后，卡莫阿铜业的总矿石处理量将超过1,400万吨/年。
规模更大的III期选厂以卡莫阿-卡库拉I期和II选厂的设计原则和成功实施为基础。III期也将采用相似的方式建造，选厂前端 (破碎和筛选) 的设计规模足以支撑日后将选矿产能翻倍。
III期投产后，预计到2024年第四季度，产能将提升至约60万吨铜年，这将使卡莫阿铜业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区的新井口和双斜坡道建设即将完工。
卡莫阿1区和卡莫阿2区地下矿山将为III期扩建供给矿石，预计将年产铜增加至60万吨/年，并将在附近建设年处理矿石500万吨的新选厂。
卡莫阿-卡库拉直接粗铜冶炼厂的土方工程正在施工，计划于2024年第四季度开始粗铜生产
卡莫阿-卡库拉的直接粗铜冶炼厂靠近I期和II期选厂，土方工程和工程设计进展顺利。
冶炼厂采用芬兰美卓奥图泰公司的技术，设计规模适合处理 I 期、II 期和 III 期选厂生产的大部分铜精矿，生产含铜99%的粗铜，设计产能达50万吨铜/年。
冶炼厂投产后，预计将使卡莫阿-卡库拉生产每磅铜的C1现金成本降低约10% - 20%，主要是因为物流成本大幅降低，产品运输总量减少约一半。
中国瑞林工程技术有限公司中标冶炼厂的基础工程设计以及项目概算，并同步进行部分前期工作的工程设计和采购活动，各项工作进展顺利且已向市场发出所有长周期设备的标书。
卡莫阿-卡库拉直接粗铜冶炼厂靠近在I期和II期选厂，冶炼厂的土方工程和准备工作进度理想。
英加二期水电站升级项目已完成长周期设备订购，预计于7月开展大型建设工程
2022年5月，艾芬豪矿业刚果(金)能源公司 (Ivanhoe Mines Energy DRC) 正式为刚果(金)英加二期水电站5号涡轮机组的升级改造工程订购首批长周期设备。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清洁、可再生水电。项目的现场调动和大型建设工程将于7月开展，并预计于2024年第四季度投产。
2021年7月，艾芬豪矿业刚果(金)能源公司与刚果(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。
这项合作于2021年已成功为Mwadingusha水电站进行了升级和现代化改造，该水电站目前为国家电网提供 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电力能源供应，配合 III 期及未来扩建计划，同时使当地社区受惠。
英加二期水电站建于1977年至1982年，设有8台178兆瓦的涡轮机组和发电机组。图为5号涡轮机组。
5号涡轮机组的工程将包括升级和更换进水、涡轮机、调速器、交流电机、电压调整器和变压器 (从水到电线) 等所有设备。此外，连接英加与卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿的输电基础设施的升级也正在进行中。
预计英加二期5号涡轮机组的单位投资成本为58万美元/兆瓦，将远低于已完工Mwadingusha项目 (145万美元/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、采购和施工管理 (EPCM)合同。
艾芬豪矿业刚果(金)能源公司与SNEL合作，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，将提供178兆瓦的清洁电能。
合资格人
本新闻稿中关于卡莫阿-卡库拉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库拉矿山的项目负责人，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。
艾芬豪已经为卡莫阿-卡库拉项目编制了一份符合NI 43-101 标准的独立技术报告，该报告可在艾芬豪网站以及SEDAR 网站上的艾芬豪页面获得，网址为www.sedar.com﹕
- 2020年10月13日发布的2020年卡莫阿-卡库拉综合开发方案，由OreWin Pty Ltd.、中国瑞林工程技术有限公司、DRA Global、Epoch Resources、Golder Associates Africa、KGHM Cuprum R&D Centre Ltd.、Outotec Oyj、Paterson and Cooke、Stantec Consulting International LLC、SRK Consulting Inc.以及Wood plc编制。
技术报告包括本新闻稿中引用的卡莫阿-卡库拉项目的矿产资源估算的假设、参数和方法等信息，以及本新闻稿中关于科学和技术性披露的数据验证、勘查程序和其他事项的信息。
关于艾芬豪矿业
艾芬豪矿业是一家加拿大的矿业公司，正在推进旗下位于南部非洲的三大主要项目：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 (Platreef) 钯-铑-铂-镍-铜-金矿的大型机械化地下矿山开发工程；以及同样位于刚果民主共和国、久负盛名的基普什 (Kipushi) 锌-铜-锗-银矿的大型重建和改善工程。
卡莫阿-卡库拉是世界上增长最快的大型铜矿。卡莫阿-卡库拉于2021年5月实现铜精矿生产，未来将分阶段进行扩建，预计将会成为全球最大规模的铜生产商之一。卡莫阿-卡库拉使用清洁、可再生的水电，并将成为世界上每单位金属温室气体排放量最低的矿山之一。艾芬豪矿业已作出承诺，卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿将致力实现净零运营温室气体排放 (范围一和二)。同时，艾芬豪正在刚果民主共和国境内、毗邻卡莫阿-卡库拉项目的西部前沿 (Western Foreland) 探矿权内寻找新的铜矿资源。
关于卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目
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。根据独立研究机构排名，一旦产能扩大至1,900万吨/年，卡莫阿-卡库拉将成为全球第二大铜矿山，最高年产铜80多万吨。预计到2023年第二季度，卡莫阿铜业I期和II期联合年产铜将超过45万吨，使卡莫阿铜业成为全球第四大铜生产商。
2020年，加拿大Hatch有限公司对卡莫阿-卡库拉的温室气体强度指标进行了独立审核，确认项目将会成为全球单位铜温室气体排放最低的矿山之一。
卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目是艾芬豪矿业 (占股39.6%)、紫金矿业集团 (占股39.6%)、晶河全球 (占股0.8%) 及刚果民主共和国政府 (占股20%) 的合资项目。
联系方式
投资者
马修·基维尔 (Matthew Keevil)，电话﹕+1.604.558.1034
媒体
坦尼娅·托德 (Tanya Todd) ，电话﹕+1.604.331.9834
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﹕(i) 关于III期的更新版预可行性研究将于2022年下半年发表的陈述；(ii) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉预计于2024年第四季度将成为全球第三大铜矿山，年产铜约60万吨的陈述；(iii) 关于预计III期扩建将于2024年第四季度实现投产的陈述；(iv) 关于I期和II期选厂的技改方案完成后，预计到2023年第二季度，两座选厂的总设计产能将提升至每年920万吨铜精矿，年产铜将超过45万吨的陈述；(v) 关于分期扩建方案一旦扩大至1,900万吨/年，卡莫阿-卡库拉将成为全球第二大铜矿山，最高年产铜80多万吨的陈述；(vi) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉将会成为全球单位铜温室气体排放最低的矿山之一的陈述；(vii) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿将致力实现净零运营温室气体排放 (范围一和二) 的陈述；(viii) 关于III期扩建将增设年处理矿石500万吨的第三座选厂，将建设在两座地下矿山附近的陈述；(ix) 关于卡莫阿铜业将于2024年第四季度在现场冶炼厂开展铜生产的陈述；(x) 关于III期电力和地表基础设施的设计将配合日后扩建计划的陈述；(xi) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉冶炼厂的设计产能达50万吨/年，生产含铜99%粗铜的陈述；(xii) 关于冶炼厂将使卡莫阿-卡库拉生产每磅铜的C1现金成本减低约10%至20%的陈述；(xiii) 关于英加二期5号涡轮机组升级改造项目将于2024年第四季度完工，将为电网提供178兆瓦水电的陈述；以及(xiv) 关于现时产能达800万吨/年的陈述。
此外，卡库拉铜矿可行性研究、卡库拉-卡索科预可行性研究以及卡莫阿-卡库拉项目初步经济评价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-卡库拉项目开发有关的特定前瞻性信息，公司是基于某些不确定因素而作出假设和分析。不确定因素包括：(i) 基础设施的充足性；(ii) 地质特征；(iii) 矿化的选冶特征；(iv) 发展充足选矿产能的能力；(v) 铜价格；(vi) 完成开发所需的设备和设施的可用性；(vii) 消耗品和采矿及选矿设备的费用；(viii) 不可预见的技术和工程问题；(ix) 事故或破坏或恐怖主义行为；(x) 货币波动； (xi) 法例修订；(xii) 合资企业伙伴对协议条款的遵守情况；(xiii) 熟练劳工的人手和生产率；(xiv) 各政府机构对矿业的监管；(xv) 筹集足够资金以发展该等项目的能力；(xvi) 项目范围或设计更变；以及 (xvii) 政治因素。
前瞻性陈述及信息涉及重大风险和不确定性，故不应被视为对未来表现或业绩的保证，并且不能准确地指示能否达到该等业绩。许多因素可能导致实际业绩与前瞻性陈述或信息所讨论的业绩有重大差异，包括但不限于“风险因素”以及本新闻稿其他部分所指的因素，以及有关部门实施的法律、法规或规章或其不可预见的变化；与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；以及勘查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查、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2021第四季度及年度《管理层讨论与分析》和当前年度信息表中"风险因素"部分所列的因素，公司的实际业绩可能与这些前瞻性陈述所预计的业绩产生重大差异。