• PROJECTS AND EXPLORATION
The four-stage two high-capacity submersible pumps were commissioned over the course of two weeks between the end of August and mid-September. The four pumps are operating at the total design rate of approximately 2 600l per second. Including the mobile stage one pump stations located underground, the total potential pumping rate at the Kakula Mine is 6 400l per second, or 550Ml per day, subject to available underground access.
By October, approximately 13km of lateral development had been rehabilitated. As the water level declines, the mining crews are primarily focused on rehabilitating the access drives required to reposition the stage one underground pumping infrastructure, as well as the access to the stage three pump stations, which are currently submerged. The mining crews expect to start gaining access to the existing stage three pumping infrastructure in November.
An updated life-of-mine integrated development plan is underway, targeting increased mining rates of up to 17 million tonnes per year before the phase four expansion. Completion is expected by the end of Q1 2026.
Production rates were expected to steadily improve once the Kakula Mine is dewatered, with annualised copper production returning to over 550 000 tonnes over the medium term. Ivanhoe Mines also plans to provide, by the latest in Q1 2026, an update on Kamoa-Kakula’ s medium-term production guidance and recovery plan.
The 500 000-tonne-per-annum direct-to-blister copper smelter is expected to begin start-up before the end of 2025. Installation of the 60MW uninterruptible power supply system is nearly complete, ensuring operational stability during grid fluctuations. Construction of the on-site solar PV facilities, with battery storage, is well advanced, with both sites expected to be operational by Q2 2026.
Construction of Kamoa-Kakula’ s on-site solar( PV) facilities, with battery storage, is well advanced. The two sites, with a combined capacity of 60MW, are 42 % and 46 % complete, and are expected to be operational from Q2 2026. •
Source: Supplied by Ivanhoe Mines
An updated life-of-mine integrated development plan is underway, targeting increased mining rates of up to 17 million tonnes per year before the phase four expansion.
Supplied by Ivanhoe Mines
Aerial view of the Platreef Mine site, with Shafts One, Two and Three( centre), the run of mine surface stockpiles( top left) and the dry stack tailings facility( top right).
16 • African Mining • January 2026 www. africanmining. co. za