Ivanhoe Mines Confirms Strong Start to 2025 at DRC Copper and Zinc Operations

Ivanhoe Mines

Kamoa-Kakula and Kipushi mines show robust early output as ramp-up continues toward full-year targets.

Ivanhoe Mines, the Canadian mining firm, reported that both its Kamoa-Kakula copper mine and Kipushi zinc mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are firmly on track to meet their 2025 production targets. Strong output in January and February suggests continued momentum across both flagship assets.

At Kamoa-Kakula, copper production reached 45,477 tonnes in January and 40,849 tonnes in February. Notably, during the final week of February alone, output hit 11,122 tonnes, equating to an annualized rate of over 578,000 tonnes—the upper end of Ivanhoe’s 2025 guidance of 520,000–580,000 tonnes.

Project 95 Expansion and Zinc Ramp-Up Progress

Ivanhoe confirmed that Project 95, which will add 30,000 tonnes/year of copper capacity, remains on schedule for completion in Q1 2026. This expansion will further boost Kamoa-Kakula’s long-term output as global copper demand continues to rise.

Meanwhile, the Kipushi zinc mine, which restarted operations in November 2024, posted record production of 16,063 tonnes in January and 11,903 tonnes in February, following a December high of 14,900 tonnes. Kipushi reached a nameplate milling rate of 2,000 tonnes per day in late February and is quickly approaching its 2025 target range of 180,000–240,000 tonnes of zinc in concentrate.

Ivanhoe projects Kipushi will reach 250,000 tonnes in 2026 as ramp-up activities continue and processing efficiency improves.

These results affirm Ivanhoe’s position as a top-tier copper and zinc producer in one of the world’s richest mineral belts, with infrastructure and expansion plans already underway.