Ivanhoe Mines Launches Africa’s Largest Copper Smelter

Ivanhoe Mines has officially begun the heat-up process for Africa’s largest copper smelter, located at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ceremony took place on November 21, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the region’s mining industry.

At the opening event, Robert Friedland, Executive Co-Chairman of Ivanhoe Mines, highlighted the importance of this development. He stated, “The ceremony today is not just a ritual; it is the passing of a torch representing transformative change at Kamoa-Kakula.” This copper smelter, with a capacity of 500,000 tonnes per annum, aims to set a new global standard for copper production.

The start-up of the smelter was celebrated with traditional customs, including a blessing from the Chief of Kamoa-Kakula’s local communities. During the ceremony, traditional copper furnace rituals were conducted, symbolizing cultural heritage and the transition to modern industrial capabilities.

Annebel Oosthuizen, Managing Director of Kamoa-Kakula, expressed pride in the achievement. “This day belongs to every Kamoa Copper employee. You built this… This is our collective success,” she remarked, emphasizing the broader impact on the community and continent.

As the smelter heats up, the first feed of concentrate is expected by the end of the year. The management team plans to prioritize processing concentrates produced by the Phase 1, 2, and 3 concentrators at the on-site facility. Any excess concentrate will be treated at the nearby Lualaba Copper Smelter in Kolwezi.

Currently, Kamoa-Kakula’s on-site concentrate inventory stands at approximately 37,000 tonnes of copper. As the smelter ramps up operations, this figure is projected to decrease to around 17,000 tonnes during 2026.

The smelter’s heat-up process is supported by a robust power supply system. The installation of a 60-megawatt uninterruptible power supply (UPS) facility is nearing completion, providing up to two hours of backup power to protect against voltage fluctuations. Ivanhoe Mines has also secured a total of approximately 180 megawatts of on-site diesel-powered backup generator capacity.

Progress on the heat-up has been swift, with the furnace temperature reaching 800 degrees centigrade. This temperature will be maintained for nine days to facilitate the “hot” commissioning of various systems, including the boiler and concentrate dryer.

Looking ahead, Ivanhoe Mines is expected to announce copper production guidance for 2026 and 2027 later this week, further outlining the operational goals for Kamoa-Kakula.

In summary, the commencement of the Kamoa-Kakula copper smelter represents a pivotal advancement for both Ivanhoe Mines and the Congolese mining sector. The facility is poised to enhance sustainable copper production, aligning with global trends towards more environmentally conscious mining practices.

For more information on Ivanhoe Mines, visit their official website at www.ivanhoemines.com.