Ivanhoe starts copper anode production at Kamoa-Kakula smelter in DRC

Ivanhoe Mines has reached a major operational milestone with the commencement of copper anode production at its newly constructed direct-to-blister smelter at the Kamoa-Kakula complex in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. First production was achieved on December 29, 2025, in line with the company’s previously issued guidance, underscoring strong execution and project delivery at one of the world’s fastest-growing copper mining operations. Once fully ramped up, the facility is expected to become the largest copper smelter on the African continent.

The smelter reached its initial output approximately five weeks after the heat-up process began, reflecting a smooth and well-managed commissioning phase. Designed with a steady-state processing capacity of 500,000 tonnes per year, the smelter produces copper anodes with a purity level of approximately 99.7 percent. These anodes are a critical intermediate product in the copper value chain and are destined for both regional and international refining and manufacturing markets. The direct-to-blister technology also allows Ivanhoe Mines to significantly reduce reliance on third-party processing, improving cost efficiency and logistical flexibility.

Looking ahead, the company expects the smelter to ramp up to full capacity by the end of the year. For 2026, copper production at Kamoa-Kakula is forecast to range between 380,000 and 420,000 tonnes. Smelter output, however, is expected to exceed mine production during the year, largely due to the planned drawdown of on-site copper concentrate inventories. This destocking strategy is anticipated to result in a significant reduction in concentrate stockpiles by the end of 2026. Should excess concentrate arise during the ramp-up phase, Ivanhoe has indicated it may be toll-treated at the Lualaba smelter to ensure uninterrupted operations.

In parallel with smelter commissioning, Ivanhoe Mines has reported solid progress on mine recovery efforts at the Kakula underground operation following last year’s seismic event. The completion of Stage 2 dewatering was achieved ahead of schedule, enabling selective mining to resume in previously affected underground areas. The company emphasized that full operations are expected to continue without major disruption, providing confidence in production stability and supporting strong copper sales at a time when global copper prices remain near record levels.

From a broader perspective, the successful start-up of Africa’s largest copper smelter represents a significant development for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the continent’s mining industry as a whole. By increasing in-country processing capacity, the project strengthens local value addition, reduces export of raw concentrates, and enhances the region’s position in global copper supply chains. Over time, this investment is likely to stimulate downstream industrial activity, create skilled employment, and reinforce Africa’s role as a strategic supplier of critical minerals essential for energy transition technologies and economic growth.

Mini-Glossary

• Copper anodes: Semi-refined copper products used as an intermediate step before final refining into high-purity copper cathodes.
• Direct-to-blister smelter: A smelting process that converts copper concentrate directly into blister copper, reducing processing steps and costs.
• Heat-up: The initial phase of bringing a smelter furnace up to operating temperature before production begins.
• Steady-state capacity: The normal, sustained production level a facility is designed to achieve during continuous operation.
• Destocking: The planned reduction of stored inventory by processing or selling accumulated material.
• Toll treatment: Processing material at a third-party facility for a fee when on-site capacity is temporarily exceeded.
• Dewatering: The removal of water from underground mine workings to allow safe resumption of mining activities.

Editor: Vural Burç ÇAKIR