KOLWEZI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) Co-Chairs Robert Friedland and Yufeng “Miles” Sun are pleased to announce that the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo has set a new quarterly production record in the third quarter of 2022, with 97,820 tonnes of copper in concentrate produced.
Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1 and 2 concentrator plants set a monthly production record in September 2022 of 33,484 tonnes of copper in concentrate, and continue to regularly surpass the combined throughput design capacity of 7.6 million tonnes per annum, following the early commissioning of Phase 2 in April 2022.
Kamoa-Kakula's Phase 1 and 2 concentrator plants milled approximately 2.1 million tonnes of ore during the third quarter at an average feed grade of 5.6% copper. This included high-grade, run-of-mine ore from the Kakula Mine, supplemented with ore from the surface stockpiles to meet the throughput in excess of design capacity. In line with design parameters, copper recoveries averaged approximately 86% during the quarter.
Ongoing mining optimization work at the Kakula Mine successfully targeted higher head grades during the third quarter, with the goal of increasing head grades up to 6% copper. Kamoa Copper continues to evaluate additional material handling capacity at the Kakula Mine to increase mining rates to feed the de-bottlenecked Phase 1 and 2 processing capacity of 9.2 million tonnes per year. Further details will be incorporated into the Phase 3 expansion pre-feasibility study, scheduled for year-end.
To date, a total of 118.3 kilometres (73.5 miles) of underground development has been mined across the mining complex. While the ongoing expansion of underground infrastructure at the Kakula Mine takes place, ore will be drawn periodically from the stockpile to maximize copper production, as the concentrators are currently operating in excess of design capacity. Kamoa-Kakula’s total high- and medium-grade ore surface stockpiles totaled approximately 4.2 million tonnes at an estimated grade of 4.15% copper for a total of over 174,000 tonnes of contained copper, as of the end of September 2022.
The Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrator plants now are operating at an annualized production rate of approximately 400,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate, and have periodically exceeded this rate daily during the third quarter. The de-bottlenecking program is on track to boost Kamoa Copper's annual production to approximately 450,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate by the second quarter of 2023.
Management continues to anticipate that the early commissioning of the Phase 2 concentrator plant in March 2022, approximately four months ahead of schedule, will enable Kamoa Copper to deliver in the upper range of its increased 2022 production guidance of 310,000 to 340,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate.
Ivanhoe Mines’ Founder and Executive Co-Chairman, Robert Friedland commented: “Kamoa-Kakula has effectively doubled its copper production rate to approximately 400,000 tonnes per year since the first quarter, and is expected to be producing at an annualized rate of 450,000 tonnes per year by the second quarter of 2023. This all has been achieved ahead of schedule and on budget ... a true pink unicorn in the mining industry and a great credit to the operating team at Kamoa Copper and our joint-venture partner, Zijin Mining.
“This success is built upon Ivanhoe Mines' industry-leading history of mineral discovery, which will play a pivotal role in the company's future. We remain committed to discovering and developing tier-one ore bodies … to provide a supply of metals critically needed for the electrification of the world economy ... and reduction of greenhouse gases throughout the supply chain.”
Watch a September fly-over of mining and expansion activities at Kamoa-Kakula: https://vimeo.com/756832174/5e0fc76a83
Construction of an additional scavenger-cleaner flotation cell at the Phase 2 concentrator, which is part of the de-bottlenecking program designed to boost copper production to approximately 450,000 tonnes per annum by Q2 2023.
Also part of the de-bottlenecking program, construction of the additional concentrate thickener is advancing well.
Figure 1: Quarterly copper production since first production at Kamoa-Kakula in May 2021. Over 345,000 tonnes of copper have been produced to September 30, 2022.
Kamoa-Kakula reports record quarterly production of 97,820 tonnes copper for Q3 2022
Commercial production from Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 2 concentrator plant was declared on April 7, 2022, while steady state production was achieved at the end of May 2022.
The Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex milled approximately 5.0 million tonnes of ore at an average feed grade of 5.6% copper year-to-date, and produced approximately 240,736 tonnes of copper in concentrate through September 30, 2022. A total of 2.1 million ore tonnes were milled during the third quarter at an average feed grade of 5.6% copper.
Kamoa-Kakula set a new quarterly production record in the third quarter of 2022 with 97,820 tonnes of copper in concentrate produced, up from 87,314 tonnes produced in the second quarter and 55,602 tonnes produced in the first quarter.
Kamoa-Kakula achieved a daily record of 26,361 tonnes of ore milled per day on the last day of the quarter. In addition, a daily production record of 1,426 tonnes of copper in concentrate was achieved on September 3, 2022.
Over 100,000 tonnes of copper were floated during the quarter, including the contained copper that has been floated, but not yet filtered. As at September 30, 2022, there was a balance of approximately 4,800 tonnes of contained copper in the circuit.
The difference between floated and filtered copper arises from the current bottleneck in concentrate filter capacity, as the Phase 1 and 2 milling and flotation circuit continues to operate in excess of design capacity. Floated copper is temporarily stored as a slurry in a fully lined pond, which will be reclaimed into the concentrate thickener and filter press once the fourth Larox filter press is installed as part of the de-bottlenecking program.
The fourth Larox filter press, from Metso Outotec of Espoo, Finland, is expected to arrive on site by year-end and will be commissioned in January 2023. In the meantime, Kamoa Copper is working on initiatives to maximize the capacity of the existing three filter presses.
(L-R) Mbbuti Romain, KKCC General Mounter; and Wang Lei, KKCC Riveter, on the assembly platform for the new scavenger-cleaner flotation cells, which are being installed as part of the de-bottlenecking program at the Phase 1 concentrator.
Kamoa Copper’s previously announced de-bottlenecking program is 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.
After successfully operating the Phase 1 concentrator, the Kamoa-Kakula team identified several relatively minor modifications that are expected to increase ore throughput by approximately 20%, from the design capacity 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. The total capital requirement for the de-bottlenecking program is $50 million.
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 year, positioning the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex as the world’s fourth largest copper producing operation.
The Kamoa Copper process engineering team, together with a number of internationally-recognized external metallurgy specialists, is investigating new technologies to economically recover additional copper units from the tailings stream of the Phase 1 and 2 concentrators, thereby potentially increasing overall recovery above the design target of 86%.
Lualaba Copper Smelter restarts following scheduled maintenance
The Lualaba Copper Smelter, located approximately 50 kilometres from Kamoa-Kakula, completed its scheduled maintenance in early September. The transportation of copper concentrates to the facility has resumed, as well as the export of its blister copper (approximately 99% contained copper). The Lualaba Copper Smelter is expected to treat approximately 120,000 tonnes of copper concentrates from Kamoa Copper in 2022.
In line with previous disclosures, Kamoa Copper is in the process of implementing several initiatives to optimize the transportation of copper products, following higher logistics costs announced in Q2 2022 due to a significant increase in volumes shipped.
The restart of the Lualaba Copper Smelter will assist in reducing overall shipping volumes, as the export of blister copper incurs lower logistics costs per unit of copper compared to copper concentrate. While the logistics optimization initiatives are underway, Kamoa Copper and other operators have continued to experience disruption including periodic border congestion and occasional industrial action by truck drivers.
A close-up of a blister copper ingot, containing approximately 99% copper, and its identification tag at the Lualaba Copper Smelter, near Kolwezi.
Kamoa 1 and Kamoa 2 box cut and decline ramp now complete, Phase 3 twin decline excavation well underway
Kamoa-Kakula's Phase 3 will consist of two new underground mines known as Kamoa 1 and Kamoa 2, located 10 kilometres north of the existing Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrator plants. A new, 5-million-tonne-per-annum concentrator plant will also be established adjacent to the two new Kamoa mines. In addition, a 500,000-tonne-per-annum, direct-to-blister flash smelter will be constructed adjacent to the existing Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrator plants. The associated power and surface infrastructure constructed for Phase 3 will be designed to support future expansions of the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex.
Construction now is complete on the Phase 3 box cut and decline ramp at the Kamoa 1 and Kamoa 2 underground mines, while excavation of the twin declines to access the new mining areas is advancing well. Construction works for the ramp, cut-off drains, and water-collection sumps also now is complete.
Basic engineering design for the entire Phase 3 expansion project is complete, with procurement activities well advanced. Bush clearing and terracing work for the 5-million-tonne-per-annum concentrator plant and associated surface infrastructure has started. Earthworks and civils contracts have been placed.
Upon commencement of Phase 3 production, the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex will have a processing capacity in excess of 14 million tonnes per annum. Phase 3 is expected to increase copper production capacity to approximately 600,000 tonnes per annum, with commissioning expected by the fourth quarter of 2024. This production rate will position the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex as the third-largest copper mining operation in the world.
Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 3 expansion also includes the refurbishment of turbine #5 at the Inga 2 hydroelectric power station. The turbine will supply an additional 178-megawatts of clean hydroelectric power to the national grid, which is sufficient to meet the power requirements of the Phase 3 concentrator, the direct-to-blister flash smelter, as well as providing spare capacity for future expansions. The blister anode copper produced from Kamoa-Kakula’s smelter is expected to be one of the lowest carbon emitters per tonne of copper produced in the world.
The Kamoa-Kakula smelter is designed to use technology supplied by Metso Outotec of Espoo, Finland, and to meet the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) emissions standards. The smelter has been sized to process much of the copper concentrate that is expected to be produced by Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1, 2 and 3 concentrators.
Earthworks excavation is now approximately 60% complete and progressing well at the smelter site, adjacent to Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrator plants. Civil works have also commenced.
3D model of the direct-to-blister flash copper smelter site, located adjacent to the Phase 1 and 2 concentrators. Construction continues on schedule, with commissioning expected by the end of 2024.
Ivanhoe Mines to issue Q3 2022 financial results and host conference call for investors on November 14
Ivanhoe Mines will report its Q3 2022 financial results, and a detailed update on its operations, before market open on Monday, November 14, 2022.
The company will hold an investor conference call to discuss the Q3 2022 financial results at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time / 7:30 a.m. Pacific time on the same day.
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.
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 Ivanhoe Mines’ Executive Vice President, Projects. Mr. Amos has verified the technical data disclosed in this news release.
Other disclosures of a scientific or technical nature regarding the stockpiles in this news release have been reviewed and approved by George Gilchrist, who is considered, by virtue of his education, experience and professional association, a Qualified Person under the terms of NI 43-101. Mr. Gilchrist is not considered independent under NI 43- 101 as he is the Vice President, Resources of Ivanhoe Mines. Mr. Gilchrist has verified the other technical data regarding the surface stockpiles disclosed in this news release.
Ivanhoe has prepared an independent, NI 43-101-compliant technical report for the Kamoa-Kakula Project, which is available on the company’s website and under the company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com:
- Kamoa-Kakula Integrated Development Plan 2020 dated October 13, 2020, prepared by OreWin Pty Ltd., China Nerin Engineering Co., Ltd., DRA Global, Epoch Resources, Golder Associates Africa, KGHM Cuprum R&D Centre Ltd., Outotec Oyj, Paterson and Cooke, Stantec Consulting International LLC, SRK Consulting Inc., and Wood plc.
The technical report includes relevant information regarding the assumptions, parameters and methods of the mineral resource estimates on the Kamoa-Kakula 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 newly expanded, mechanized, underground mines at the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the development of the Platreef palladium-rhodium-platinum-nickel-copper-gold discovery in South Africa; and the restart of the historic Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex is one of the highest-grade and fastest growing major copper mining operations in the world. Copper concentrates were first produced in May 2021 and, through on-going phased expansions, it is positioned to become one of the world's largest copper producing operations. Kamoa-Kakula’s 2022 production guidance is between 310,000 to 340,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate.
The Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex is powered by clean, renewable hydro-generated electricity and is among one of the world’s lowest greenhouse gas emitters per tonne of copper metal produced.
The Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex is operated by Kamoa Copper, a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines (39.6%), Zijin Mining Group (39.6%), Crystal River Global Limited (0.8%) and the DRC government (20%).
Ivanhoe Mines is also exploring for new copper discoveries across its circa 2,400km2 of wholly-owned exploration licences in the Western Foreland, which are located adjacent to the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Information contact
Investors
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Media
Tanya Todd +1.604.331.9834
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 year-end 2022; (ii) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula’s copper production guidance for 2022, which currently is estimated at between 310,000 tonnes and 340,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate; (iii) statements regarding first copper production from Phase 3 expected in the end of 2024; (iv) statements regarding the de-bottlenecking program will enable the copper production from Kamoa Copper’s first two phases to exceed 450,000 tonnes per year by Q2 2023; (v) statements regarding ongoing mine optimization work at Kamoa-Kakula targeting improved grades towards 6% copper and additional material handling capacity; (vi) statements that the de-bottlenecking program is expected to expand ore throughput at Kamoa-Kakula’s Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrators to 9.2 Mtpa by Q2 2023; (vii) statements regarding the establishment of a new 5-Mtpa concentrator plant adjacent to the two new mines at Kamoa; (viii) statements that at commencement of Phase 3, Kamoa-Kakula will have processing capacity greater than 14 Mtpa and is expected to increase annualized copper production capacity to approximately 600,000 tpa by Q4 2024; (ix) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula will be among the world's lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of copper produced; and (x) statements regarding ore being periodically drawn from Kamoa-Kakula's surface stockpiles; (xi) statements regarding shipments of copper concentrate to the Lualaba Copper Smelter, blister copper exports and associated impacts on cash costs; (xii) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula's 500-ktpa smelter facility being commissioned by the fourth quarter of 2024; (xiii) statements regarding the refurbishment of Turbine #5 at the Inga II hydropower facility; (xiv) statements regarding the associated power and surface infrastructure constructed for Phase 3 will be designed to support future expansions.
As well, all of the results of the Kakula definitive feasibility study, the Kakula-Kansoko Pre-Feasibility Study and the Kamoa-Kakula Preliminary Economic Assessment, constitute forward-looking statements or information, and include future estimates of internal rates of return, net present value, future production, estimates of cash cost, proposed mining plans and methods, mine life estimates, cash flow forecasts, metal recoveries, estimates of capital and operating costs and the size and timing of phased development of the projects. Furthermore, with respect to this specific forward-looking information concerning the development of the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex, 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 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 because of the factors set forth below in the “Risk Factors” section in the company’s 2022 Q3 MD&A and its current annual information form.
刚果民主共和国科卢韦齐 — 艾芬豪矿业 (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) 联席董事长罗伯特·弗里兰德 (Robert Friedland) 与孙玉峰 (Miles Sun) 欣然宣布，位于刚果民主共和国的卡莫阿-卡库拉 (Kamoa-Kakula) 铜矿2022年第三季度再创新纪录，生产精矿含铜9.8万吨。
卡莫阿-卡库拉I期和II期选厂2022年9月创下月度生产纪录，共生产精矿含铜3.4万吨，自II期提前于2022年4月投产后，I期和II期选厂经常超过760万吨/年的综合设计产能。
卡莫阿-卡库拉I期和II期选厂第三季度共处理约210万吨矿石，平均入选品位5.6%，主要来自卡库拉矿山的高品位矿石，但由于选厂处理能力超过设计产能，需从地表矿堆向选厂额外供矿。本季度平均铜回收率约86%，与设计参数一致。
卡库拉矿山正进行采矿优化，目标是要在第三季度将原矿铜品位提高至平均6.0%。卡莫阿铜业正继续评估提高卡库拉矿山的矿石处理能力及回采率，在技改方案完成后，向综合产能920万吨/年的I期和II期选厂供矿。详细信息将被纳入III期扩建的预可行性研究，报告计划于2022年底发布。
卡莫阿-卡库拉项目迄今已完成118.3公里 (73.5英里) 的地下开拓工程。卡库拉矿山正进行地下基础设施扩建，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2022年9月底，卡莫阿-卡库拉地表已堆存约420万吨高品位和中品位矿石，平均铜品位约4.15%，共生产精矿含铜17.4万吨。
I期和II期选厂的年化总产能已接近精矿含铜约40万吨，单日产量在第三季度已稳定超过该指标。技改方案完成后，预计到2023年第二季度，卡莫阿铜业的产能将提升至45万吨铜/年。
II 期选厂提前于2022年3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，提高至31至34万吨。
艾芬豪矿业创始人兼执行联席董事长罗伯特·弗里兰德评论说﹕“第一季度以来，卡莫阿-卡库拉的年化产能翻了一番，达到40万吨铜/年，预计到2023年第二季度将达到45万吨铜/年。这一切都在预算内提前实现，成为行业光彩夺目的独角兽，其中凝聚着卡莫阿铜业和合作伙伴紫金矿业运营团队的巨大贡献。”
“艾芬豪矿业领先行业的勘查业绩为项目的成功打下了坚实的基础，在企业的未来发展中举足轻重。我们将继续致力于勘查和开发顶级矿山，提供全球经济迈向电气化所需的关键金属，并且在产业链上降低温室气体排放。”
卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿9月份采矿和扩建视频﹕
https://vimeo.com/756832174/5e0fc76a83
卡莫阿-卡库拉技改工程，在 II 期选厂增加扫选-精选设施，预计到2023年第二季度，产量将提升至约45万吨/年。
精矿浓密机扩产工程进展顺利，也是技改工程的一部分。
图1：卡莫阿-卡库拉自2021年5月投产以来的季度铜产量。截至2022年9月30日已生产超过34.5万吨铜。
卡莫阿-卡库拉于2022年第三季度生产9.8万吨铜，创下全新纪录
卡莫阿-卡库拉 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。
卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿于2022年至今已处理约500万吨矿石，平均入选品位5.6%，截至2022年9月30日共生产精矿含铜约24.1万吨。第三季度期间共处理210万吨矿石，平均入选品位5.6%。
2022年第三季度，卡莫阿-卡库拉共生产精矿含铜9.8万吨，再次刷新纪录。前两季度分别生产精矿含铜5.6万吨和8.7万吨。
卡莫阿-卡库拉于本季度最后一天创下纪录，单日处理26,361吨矿石，并于2022年9月3日破纪录单日生产精矿含铜金属1,426吨。
本季度浮选处理超过10万吨铜，其中包括已浮选但未过滤的精矿产量。截至2022年9月30日，现场库存4,800吨铜。
浮选铜和过滤铜之间的差异，主要由于I期和II期选矿和浮选机持续超越设计产能而导致过滤能力出现瓶颈。目前，浮选铜暂时储存在一个严格防渗的库池之内，直到技改方案其中的第四台Larox压滤机装机完成后，将供给精矿浓密机和压滤机处理。
第四台Larox压滤机预计于年底运抵矿场，并将于2023年1月进行试车。压滤机由芬兰美卓奥图泰公司制造。目前，卡莫阿铜业正研究不同方案，以充分扩大现有三台压滤机的产能。
(从左至右) KKCC General Mounter 的 Mbbuti Romain 及 KKCC Riveter 的Wang Lei，在组装平台上为 I 期选厂技改工程安装新的扫选-精选设施。
卡莫阿铜业之前公布的技改方案正按计划进行，旨在将 I 期和 II 期选厂的综合设计产能提升至920万吨/年。
I 期选厂成功运行后，卡莫阿-卡库拉团队发现通过一些局部调整，预计可将选厂的矿石处理能力提高约20%，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。技改方案的所需资金共计5,000万美元。
技改方案于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-卡库拉铜矿成为全球第四大铜生产商。
卡莫阿铜业的选矿工程设计团队正与多个国际知名的选冶研究单位合作，探索研究具有经济效益的新技术从 I 期和 II 期选厂的尾矿中回收铜金属，以图将整体回收率提高至设计指标86%以上。
卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂完成定期维护重启运作
卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂距离卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿约50公里，于9月初已完成定期维护。卡莫阿-卡库拉项目恢复向冶炼厂运送铜精矿，并已开始出口99%的粗铜。预计卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂于2022年将处理来自卡莫阿铜业约12万湿吨的铜精矿。
正如2022年第二季度公布所述，由于运货量大幅增加而导致物流成本上涨，因此，卡莫阿铜业正采取不同措施以优化铜产品的运输方案。
卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂重启运营，将有助于减少整体运货量，粗铜出口的物流成本较铜精矿更低。尽管项目正在优化物流措施，但卡莫阿铜业仍然不时受到边境拥堵及等待周期延长的影响。
邻近科卢韦齐的卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂生产的99%粗铜及其标签。
卡莫阿1区和卡莫阿2区的井口和斜坡道建设竣工，III 期双斜坡道的掘进工程快速推进
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，位于 I 期和 II 期选厂以北10公里处。卡莫阿两座新矿山附近将建设一座500万吨/年的新选厂。未来，I 期和 II 期选厂附近还将建设一座设计产能50万吨/年的直接粗铜冶炼厂。III 期电力和地表基础设施的设计工作正在进行中，以配合卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿日后扩建计划。
III 期卡莫阿1区和卡莫阿2区的井口和斜坡道建设竣工，双斜坡道的掘进工程进度理想，将用于新采区的进出场通道。斜坡道、排水管路和水仓的建设也顺利完成。
III 期扩建项目的基础工程设计已经完成，目前正进行采购工作且进度理想。 III 期500万吨/年选厂和地表基础设施的场地平整工作进展顺利，且已签署土方工程和土木工程的合同。
预计 III 期于 2024年第四季度投产后，卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿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-卡库拉铜矿成为全球第三大铜矿山。
卡莫阿-卡库拉 III 期扩建还将包括英加二期水电站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，可以满足 III 期选厂及直接粗铜冶炼厂的电力需求，并为日后扩建提供备用电能。卡莫阿-卡库拉冶炼厂生产的阳极铜预计将成为全球单位铜碳排放最低的产品之一。
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。
冶炼厂靠近卡莫阿-卡库拉 I 期和 II 期选厂，土方工程进度理想，目前已完成60%，并已开展土木工程。
直接粗铜冶炼厂靠近 I 期和 II 期选厂，正按计划顺利推进，预计于2024年底投产。下图为冶炼厂的三维设计图。
艾芬豪矿业将于11月14日举行投资者会议并公布 2022年第三季度财务报告
艾芬豪矿业将于2022年11月14日周一开市前公布2022年第三季度财务业绩。
公司将于同日东部时间上午10:30 / 西部时间上午7:30召开投资者电话会议，讨论2022年第三季度财务业绩。
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.com和www.sedar.com上提供。
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。由于阿莫斯先生是艾芬豪矿业的项目执行副总裁，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艾芬豪矿业资源部副总裁，因此他并不符合NI 43-101 对独立人士的界定。吉尔克里斯特先生已核实本新闻稿所披露的其它技术数据。
艾芬豪已经为卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目编制了一份符合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。
这些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生效日期、假设、参数和方法等信息，以及本新闻稿中关于卡莫阿-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-卡库拉铜矿项目新扩建的机械化井下矿山开发工程、位于南非的普拉特瑞夫 (Platreef) 钯-铑-铂-镍-铜-金矿的开拓工程；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-银矿的重建工程。
卡莫阿-卡库拉是全球品位最高和增长最快的大型铜矿之一。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-卡库拉铜矿2022年生产精矿含铜金属的指导目标为31至34万吨。
卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目使用清洁、可再生的水电，并将成为全球单位铜温室气体排放最低的矿山之一。
卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目由艾芬豪矿业 (占股39.6%)、紫金矿业集团 (占股39.6%)、晶河全球 (占股0.8%) 及刚果(金)政府 (占股20%) 的合资企业卡莫阿铜业负责运营。
同时，艾芬豪矿业正在刚果民主共和国境内、毗邻卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目的西部前沿 (Western Foreland) 探矿权内寻找新的铜矿资源。西部前沿探矿权占地2,400平方公里，由艾芬豪矿业全资拥有。
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
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III期的更新版预可行性研究将于2022年第底发表的陈述；(ii) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿2022年生产精矿含铜金属的指导目标为310,000吨至340,000吨的陈述；(iii) 关于预计III期扩建将于2024年底实现投产的陈述；(iv) 关于技改方案完成后，预计到2023年第二季度，卡莫阿铜业I期和II期的年产铜将超过45万吨的陈述；(v) 关于卡库拉-卡库拉铜矿正进行采矿优化，目标是要将铜品位提高至6%以及提升矿石处理能力的陈述；(vi) 关于技改方案完成后，预计到2023年第二季度，卡莫阿-卡库拉I期和I期选厂的总产能将提升920万吨/年的陈述；(vii) 关于500万吨/年的新选厂将建设在卡莫阿两座新矿山附近的陈述；(viii) 关于III期投产后，卡莫阿-卡库拉的总矿石处理量将超过1,400万吨/年，预计到2024年第四季度，年产能将提升至约60万吨铜的陈述；(ix) 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；(x) 关于定期从卡莫阿-卡库拉地表矿堆向选厂供矿的陈述；(xi) 关于运送铜精矿到卢阿拉巴铜冶炼厂、出口粗铜及对现金成本造成影响的陈述；(xii) 关于卡莫阿-卡库拉产能50万吨/年的冶炼厂将于2024年第四季度投产的陈述；(xiii) 关于英加二期水电站5号涡轮机组升级改造的陈述；以及 (xiv) 关于III 期电力和地表基础设施的设计配合日后扩建计划的陈述。
此外，卡库拉铜矿最终可行性研究、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-卡库拉铜矿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2022第三季度《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。