{"id":61029,"title":"Ivanhoe Mines copper output rises 19% as Kamoa-Kakula recovers","publisher":"Stockmark.IT","author":"Stockmark.IT Website","published":"2026-10-09T08:12:56+00:00","modified":"2026-10-09T08:12:56+00:00","canonical_url":"https://stockmark.it/ivanhoe-copper-output-jumps-19-as-kamoa-kakula-rebounds/","markdown_url":"https://stockmark.it/ivanhoe-copper-output-jumps-19-as-kamoa-kakula-rebounds.md","json_url":"https://stockmark.it/ivanhoe-copper-output-jumps-19-as-kamoa-kakula-rebounds.json","category":"Business","categories":["Business","Companies","Mining"],"featured_image":"https://i0.wp.com/stockmark.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ivanhoe-mines-copper-output-rises-19-as-kamoa-kakula.png?fit=1536%2C1024&quality=80&ssl=1","format":"news","language":"en-GB","content":"Ivanhoe Mines has reported a 19% quarter-on-quarter increase in copper production, with third-quarter output reaching 76,401 tonnes. The Canadian miner stated that this rebound brings production levels closer to those recorded in 2025 as mining operations continue to recover. The figure includes 68,188 tonnes of copper concentrate generated at the Kamoa-Kakula complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This represents an 11.5% rise compared to the previous quarter, following a 14% decline in the second quarter of 2026 which saw concentrate production fall to 61,134 tonnes.\n\nThe company attributed the production increase to a 30% rise in mining rates, which now exceed 700,000 tonnes per month. This equates to an annualised rate of approximately 8.5 million tonnes. Ivanhoe noted that the acceleration in underground operations was driven by the addition of new crews, the creation of a box-cut access point at the Kamoa 1 mine, and the commencement of stoping. Although the recovery marks progress in restoring output at one of Africa’s major copper sites, the company expects annual production to finish near the lower end of its guidance. Development work over the next 15 months will focus on establishing long-term access and mine services ahead of production mining.\n\nIvanhoe maintained its 2026 production guidance of 290,000 to 310,000 tonnes of copper in saleable products, while noting that output is trending towards the lower boundary of that range. At the end of the third quarter, the complex held approximately 43,000 tonnes of copper in inventory. The on-site 500,000 tonnes-per-annum copper smelter is currently operating at 60% capacity. In addition to producing copper anodes, the facility generated 118,638 tonnes of sulphuric acid during the quarter, an annualised rate of roughly 480,000 tonnes. This acid is sold to other operations on the DRC Copperbelt for leaching copper and cobalt from oxide ores at a price of approximately $900 per tonne.\n\nThe company also reported a 10% increase in zinc output at its Kipushi mine, reaching 77,147 tonnes of zinc concentrate. Operational efficiency has improved through the use of an on-site hybrid solar facility with battery storage, which led to a 40% decrease in diesel generator consumption in September. This installation, described as the largest hybrid solar project at a mining site in Africa, delivers a continuous 60 megawatts of power. Ivanhoe aims to double the site’s solar capacity within 18 months. The company is scheduled to release its third-quarter financial results on 3 November, which will provide further details on the financial impact of the production recovery, smelter operations and power improvements."}