■Kamoa-Kakula smelter is Africa’s largest copper smelter with a capacity of 500,000 tonnes of copper per annum
■ Kamoa-Kakula 2026 sales set to exceed production as 20,000 tonnes of stockpiled copper in concentrate is smelted and sold as 99.7%-pure copper anodes at current record copper prices
■ Kakula Mine Stage Two dewatering complete; selective mining of eastern side of Kakula Mine recommenced ahead of schedule
TSX-listed Ivanhoe Mines Executive Co-Chairman Robert Friedland and Chief Executive Officer Marna Cloete announced that the first copper anodes were produced by Kamoa-Kakula’s on-site, state-of-the-art 500,000-tonne-per-annum direct-to-blister copper smelter on December 29, 2025, approximately five weeks after the commencement of the smelter’s heat-up and one week after the first feed of concentrate.
Ivanhoe Mines’ Executive Co-Chairman Robert Friedland commented:
“The first production of copper anodes from our world-class smelter is a defining moment for Kamoa-Kakula... This achievement is the culmination of a $1.1 billion investment, 18 million man-hours of disciplined execution, and an outstanding health and safety record that reflects the professionalism and commitment of everyone involved. This facility will proudly deliver the highest-quality Congolese copper anodes to the international markets, setting a new global benchmark for scale, efficiency, and sustainability. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the extraordinary Kamoa Copper team, as well as our contractors and partners from across the world, whose expertise, innovation, and teamwork made the design and delivery of this state-of-the-art facility possible. Together, we have built something exceptional that will serve global consumers for generations to come.”
