HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA — Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) Executive Co-Chair Robert Friedland and President Marna Cloete, announced today at the 32nd BMO Global Metals & Mining Conference that the debottlenecking of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex’s Phase 1 and 2 concentrators has been completed ahead of schedule. The ongoing final installation and commissioning of a fourth Larox filter press is the final step in the overall debottlenecking program, which is expected to be completed in March 2023.
Mr. Friedland commented: "The operations team at Kamoa-Kakula continues to exceed expectations ... once again delivering an important expansion project ahead of schedule and on budget. We intend to reach a sustainable, annualized production rate of 450,000 tonnes of copper during the second quarter, which is an exceptional achievement considering we declared Phase 1 production at Kamoa-Kakula, alongside our joint venture partners, Zijin Mining, less than two years ago."
"Our dedicated team of engineers are determined to continue this record of operational excellence as we execute the Phase 3 expansion. The project will include the integration of Africa's largest direct-to-blister smelter complex and will drive annualized production to over 600,000 tonnes of copper by early 2025 ... continuing Kamoa-Kakula’s distinction as the fastest-growing, highest-grade copper complex on our planet."
The debottlenecking program of Kamoa-Kakula's Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrators is designed to increase the nameplate ore processing capacity by 22% from 7.6 to 9.2 million tonnes of ore per annum, increasing production capacity up to approximately 450,000 tonnes per annum of copper in concentrate. For comparison, Kamoa-Kakula produced 333,497 tonnes of copper in concentrate in 2022.
Two scheduled plant shutdowns, to tie in the new debottlenecking equipment, are now complete. The shutdown of the Phase 1 concentrator took place in January 2023, and the shutdown of the Phase 2 concentrator plant was completed on February 22, 2023. The new equipment consists of new hydrocyclone systems, new scavenger-cleaner flotation cells, a new concentrate thickener, as well as upsized piping and pumping capacity.
The last outstanding action is the installation and commissioning of the fourth Larox filter press, which sits at the end of the processing circuit. The filter press has been lowered into position in the concentrate storage and dispatch warehouse, and its installation and commissioning are anticipated to be complete in March. The Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrators are expected to be able to sustain the new nameplate capacity of 9.2 million tonnes of ore per annum prior to the fourth Larox filter press commissioning. The total capital cost for the debottlenecking program was approximately US$50 million.
The Phase 1 concentrator has been operating at its new, sustained nameplate capacity of 580 dry tonnes per hour since January 25, 2023; and at times delivering as high as 590 dry tonnes per hour.
On February 25, 2023, within 12 hours of restarting, the Phase 2 concentrator has also ramped up to its new, sustained nameplate capacity of 580 dry tonnes per hour, or 9.2 million tonnes per annum.
The final installation of the Phase 2 concentrator’s scavenger-cleaner flotation cell was completed on February 22. The commissioning of the scavenger-cleaner flotation cell on the Phase 1 concentrator complete was completed in January.
Yannick Mwanampuku, Metso Outotec Automation Engineer, with the recently delivered fourth Larox filter press. This is the final piece of equipment to be installed in the Kamoa-Kakula Phase 1 and Phase 2 debottlenecking program.
Kamoa-Kakula’s concentrate storage and dispatch warehouse (in the foreground) has been expanded to accommodate the larger, debottlenecked Phase 1 and Phase 2 production capacity of approximately 450,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate per annum.
Disclosure of technical information
Disclosures of a scientific or technical nature in this news release regarding the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex (other than stockpiles estimation) 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 Executive Vice President, Projects, at Ivanhoe Mines. Mr. Amos has verified the technical data related to the foregoing disclosed in this news release.
Ivanhoe has prepared an independent, NI 43-101-compliant technical report for the Kamoa-Kakula Copper 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 Copper 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 expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC, the construction of the tier-one Platreef palladium-rhodium-platinum-nickel-copper-gold project in South Africa; and the restart of the historic ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC.
Ivanhoe Mines also is exploring for new copper discoveries across its circa 2,400km2 of 90-100% owned exploration licences in the Western Foreland, which are located adjacent to, or in close proximity to, the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC.
Information contact
Follow Robert Friedland (@robert_ivanhoe) and Ivanhoe Mines (@IvanhoeMines_) on Twitter.
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
Cautionary statement on forward-looking information
Certain statements in this news 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.
Such statements include without limitation (i) statements regarding the planned completion of the debottlenecking program with the final installation of the fourth Larox filter in March; (ii) statements regarding the new production capacity is expected to increase to 450,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate per annum in Q2 2023; and, (iii) statements regarding Kamoa-Kakula's Phase 3 expansion, including the integration of Africa's largest direct-to-blister smelter complex, which will drive annualized production over 600,000 tonnes of copper by early 2025.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements.
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 under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the company’s MD&A, as well as the inability to obtain regulatory approvals in a timely manner; the potential for unknown or unexpected events to cause contractual conditions to not be satisfied; 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 outlined in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in the company’s MD&A for the period ended September 30, 2022, and its Annual Information Form.
艾芬豪矿业 (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) 执行联席董事长罗伯特·弗里兰德先生(Robert Friedland) 、联席董事长孙玉峰先生与总裁玛娜·克洛特女士 (Marna Cloete) 今天公布,卡莫阿-卡库拉 (Kamoa-Kakula) I 期和 II 期选厂的扩产建设比原计划提前完工,目前正进行最后阶段第四台Larox 压滤机的装机和试车。
罗伯特·弗里兰德先生评论道:卡莫阿-卡库拉运营团队再创佳绩,又一次在预算内提前完成一项重要的扩建工程。我们希望在第二季度实现可持续的45万吨/年的年化铜产能,考虑到我们和合作伙伴紫金矿业一年多之前才完成I期选厂投产,这将是一项了不起的成就。
艾芬豪勤勉尽责的优秀工程师团队下定决心,致力在III期扩建中继续创造卓越记录。III期包括建设一座非洲最大的一步炼铜冶炼厂,计划在2025年早期实现年化产能超过60万吨铜。继续保持卡莫阿-卡库拉作为全球成长最快、品位最高的铜矿。
扩产方案旨在将卡莫阿-卡库拉 I 期和 II 期选厂的综合设计产能从760万吨/年提升21%至920万吨/年,并将精矿产铜提升至约45万吨/年。2022年,卡莫阿-卡库拉共生产精矿含铜33.3万吨。
为了配合扩产,选厂曾两度停工以安装新设备,新设备已安装完成。I 期选厂于2023年1月停工,而 II 期选厂在2023年2月22日完成停机安装。扩产工程新安装的设备包括扫选-精选设施、精矿浓密机、以及替换较大型的管道和水泵。
目前正进行流程最后端的第四台Larox压滤机的安装调试和试车。压滤机已被吊装到精矿仓和发货仓,预计于3月份投产。即使在第四台Larox压滤机投产前,预计 I 期和 II期选厂都能够维持920万吨/年的综合产能。扩产工程的总资本性开支约5,000万美元。
自2023年1月25日起,I 期选厂的处理产能一直保持在580干吨/小时,最高达到590干吨/小时。
2023年2月25日,经过12小时的重启,II 期选厂也实现产量爬坡至580万干吨/小时的新设计产能。
II 期选厂扫选-精选设备于2月22日完成安装。I 期选厂扫选-精选设施的试车工作也于1月份完成。
美卓奥图泰自动化工程师 Yannick Mwanampuku 在最近运抵现场的第四台Larox压滤机前。这是卡莫阿-卡库拉 I 期和 II 期扩产工程最后一台待安装设备。
卡莫阿-卡库拉精矿仓的扩建完成,可容纳 I 期和 II 期扩产后45万吨/年的铜精矿。
技术信息披露
本新闻稿中关于卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目(矿堆估算除外) 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。
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,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-卡库拉铜矿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(金)的卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿项目的扩建工程、位于南非的普拉特瑞夫(Platreef) 顶级钯-铑-铂-镍-铜-金矿的开拓工程;以及同样位于刚果(金)、久负盛名的基普什(Kipushi) 超高品位锌-铜-锗-银矿的重建工程。
同时,艾芬豪矿业正在刚果(金)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及持有90%权益。
联系方式
请即关注罗伯特·弗里兰德 (@robert_ivanhoe) 和艾芬豪矿业(@IvanhoeMines_)的Twitter帐号。
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
前瞻性信息的警戒性声明
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。
该等陈述包括但不限于﹕(i) 关于扩产方案在3月份进行第四台Larox压滤机最后阶段的装机工程后将告完成的陈述;以及 (ii) 关于预计到2023年第二季度,生产精矿含铜产能将提升至45万吨/年的陈述。
读者请注意不应过度依赖前瞻性信息或陈述。
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《管理层讨论与分析》其他部分所指的因素,以及无法及时获得监管审批;未知或无法预计的事件导致未能符合合约条件的可能性;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年9月30日止期间的《管理层讨论与分析》和当前年度信息表中"风险因素"及其他部分所指的因素,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。