The Kamoa-Kakula mine produced 86,000 tonnes of copper in January and February 2025. Ivanhoe Mines, which runs the mine, disclosed the figure in a note released on March 3. According to the source, “based on this performance, the total output for 2025 could stand between 520,000 and 580,000 tonnes, in line with annual forecasts.”

While this cumulative production over 59 days is significant, it translates to a daily average of 1,463 tonnes. If this pace continues throughout the year, the mine could yield approximately 534,000 tonnes within the projected range but not reaching its upper limit. 

However, Ivanhoe Mines reported an acceleration in production during the last week of February, achieving a daily average of 1,589 tonnes. If this rate is maintained, total output could reach around 572,563 tonnes, nearing the upper forecast limit for 2025.

Kamoa-Kakula delivered 437,061 tonnes of copper in 2024, slightly below the initial forecast of 440,000 to 490,000 tonnes. Last October, the firm scaled down its forecasts due to power supply issues.

Since the beginning of this year, reports regarding the power supply at Kamoa-Kakula have been promising. "Since the beginning of the year, operations in phases 1, 2, and 3 of the Kamoa-Kakula complex have been powered by around 100 MW of hydroelectric electricity generated locally and imported," Ivanhoe Mines stated. “This capacity meets the current energy needs for all three phases of the project,”

The imported power primarily comes from the Cahora Bassa hydroelectric dam in Mozambique and the Kariba dam in Zambia. Ivanhoe Mines noted that these dams are experiencing a gradual improvement in water levels, which should enhance energy availability as southern Africa enters its rainy season.

This article was initially published in French by Boaz Kabeya (intern)

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho