Ivanhoe Achieves Record Zinc Output at Kipushi Mine

Ivanhoe Mines has achieved a major operational milestone with record zinc production at its Kipushi Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), highlighting the company’s growing dominance in Africa’s base metals sector. During the third quarter of 2025, Kipushi delivered 57,200 tonnes of zinc, representing a remarkable 37% increase compared to the previous quarter. This strong performance not only cements Kipushi’s position among the world’s leading zinc producers but also reflects Ivanhoe’s successful implementation of operational optimizations designed to enhance plant efficiency and throughput.

The surge in output stems from concerted efforts to address processing bottlenecks and streamline the concentrator’s performance. Kipushi’s consistent quarterly improvements indicate that the mine is now operating at near design capacity after its long-awaited restart, following decades of dormancy since its historic operation under Gécamines. Ivanhoe is maintaining its 2025 production guidance of between 180,000 and 240,000 tonnes of zinc, underscoring confidence in the mine’s stability and long-term contribution to the company’s growth portfolio.

Parallel to this zinc success, Ivanhoe’s copper operations have continued to deliver robust results. The company produced 71,226 tonnes of copper across its portfolio in Q3, while its flagship Kamoa-Kakula complex, one of the world’s highest-grade copper deposits, recorded an impressive 316,393 tonnes of output during the same period. Ivanhoe reaffirmed its full-year copper production guidance at 370,000 to 420,000 tonnes, reflecting continued operational excellence and sustained demand for copper amid global electrification trends.

Financially, Ivanhoe’s momentum is being bolstered by a US$500 million investment from Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, which will be directed toward the expansion of its African operations and infrastructure upgrades. Among the most transformative projects in the pipeline is the construction of Africa’s largest copper smelter, supported by 60 MW of backup power and integrated sulphuric acid production capacity, a move expected to improve processing self-sufficiency and environmental performance.

The strong zinc performance at Kipushi and continued copper success at Kamoa-Kakula collectively reinforce Ivanhoe’s strategic position as one of Africa’s foremost diversified mining leaders. For the DRC, these developments hold significant economic implications: increased export revenues, local employment, and strengthened infrastructure in the Haut-Katanga and Lualaba provinces. On a continental scale, Ivanhoe’s achievements highlight Africa’s emergence as a critical supplier of industrial and energy-transition metals essential for renewable technologies and electric mobility.

Mini-Glossary

• Throughput: The volume of ore processed within a specific time period in a mining plant.
• Production Guidance: A company’s official forecast for the amount of metal it expects to produce over a given period.
• Smelter: An industrial facility that processes ore concentrates into refined metal using heat and chemical reactions.
• Sulphuric Acid Production: A process used in copper refining and often repurposed for fertilizer or industrial use.
• Sovereign Wealth Fund: A state-owned investment fund that invests in assets such as stocks, bonds, and infrastructure projects globally.
• Electrification Trends: The global shift toward using electricity in transport, industry, and energy systems to reduce carbon emissions.