Ivanhoe Mines, a Canadian metals mining company, has reported encouraging preliminary test work for increasing copper recoveries at its Kamoa-Kakula copper mine in Kolwezi, DRC.
The miner said their findings demonstrate how freeing copper from a tailings stream can significantly increase total recoveries.
Based on these outcomes, Kamoa-Kakula can boost output, sales, and cash flow further.
Company executive co-chairperson Robert Friedland said the grade of copper in Kamoa-tailings Kakula's is still significantly greater than that of most large copper mines worldwide, despite the Phase 1 and 2 concentrators exceeding the nameplate recovery rate.
“This is a direct consequence of Kamoa-Kakula being the highest-grade major copper mine globally. However, we are leaving a significant amount of copper behind, which this planet so desperately needs right now for our energy transition,” he said.
“If we can recover this copper, the production profile following the Phase 3 expansion could be in excess of 700 000 t/y. Not only would this provide additional revenue and cash flow, but it would also reduce even further our tailings footprint.”
About 7.1 million tonnes of ore with an average feed grade of 5.5% copper were processed at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in 2017, yielding 333,497 tonnes of copper in concentrate.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
