Ivanhoe Mines  announced Tuesday that efforts are ongoing to safely resume underground operations at the Kakula Mine, following the temporary suspension announced May 20, 2025. Senior management is working closely with globally recognized engineering experts to implement a cautious and methodical restart.

Engineering teams from Kamoa Copper, the joint venture operating the mine, are updating short-, medium-, and long-term plans to resume operations on both the western and eastern sections of the Kakula Mine. Subject to the pace of dewatering, mining is expected to recommence later this month on the western side, which remains dry and supported by an active pumping system capable of handling more than 1,000 liters per second.

Operations on the eastern portion of the mine will resume following completion of dewatering efforts. Kamoa Copper has initiated a two-stage dewatering strategy to restore full underground access.

Stage One, now completed, involved the installation of temporary underground pumping infrastructure to stabilize water levels. This has boosted total underground pumping capacity to approximately 4,400 liters per second, enough to manage ongoing inflows.

Stage Two is underway and includes installing high-capacity, surface-mounted pumps and permanent dewatering infrastructure. Four surface pumps, each with a capacity of 650 liters per second, have been ordered. These will be installed in pairs within existing ventilation shafts that access the mine’s water catchment zones. Additional pumps will be procured to enhance long-term capacity. Delivery and installation are expected within 90 days.

In the interim, the Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrators continue to operate at about 50% of their combined capacity, utilizing ore from surface stockpiles. Once underground operations resume on the western side, fresh ore will be supplied to the concentrators.

Since operations began in 2021, Kakula’s mining teams have advanced underground development well ahead of schedule, giving the mine operational flexibility and access to multiple production zones once declared safe.

The Kamoa underground mine and the adjacent Phase 3 concentrator remain fully operational and unaffected by the current suspension at Kakula.

A comprehensive geotechnical review is currently being finalized by Ivanhoe Mines, Kamoa Copper, and top-tier geotechnical consultants. The findings of this conservative assessment—along with detailed restart plans for both sides of the Kakula Mine—are expected to be released next week.

Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company dedicated to advancing three key projects in Southern Africa: the expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); the ramp-up of the exceptionally high-grade Kipushi mine—rich in zinc, copper, germanium, and silver—also in the DRC; and the phased development of the world-class Platreef Mine in South Africa, which hosts platinum, palladium, nickel, rhodium, gold, and copper.