| Company | Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. |
| Date | 2016 |
| Region | Kolwezi District, Lualaba Province, DRC |
| Commodities | Copper, Cobalt, Silver, Gold |
| Mine Type | Underground |
| Throughput | 3 Mtpa |
| Mine Life | 24 years |
| Status | Development |
Executive Summary
The Kamoa 2016 Prefeasibility Study (PFS) outlines the development plan for the Kamoa Copper Project located in the Kolwezi District of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The project is currently in the development stage, targeting an annual production rate of 3 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of ore with a mine life of approximately 24 years. The deposit is primarily sulphide-hosted within the Grand Conglomerat unit, featuring hypogene and supergene mineralisation dominated by chalcopyrite, bornite, and chalcocite. The study evaluates underground mining methods, specifically Stepped Room and Pillar (SR&P) for shallower depths and Drift and Fill (D&F) for deeper zones, with Controlled Convergence Room and Pillar identified as a potential alternative to improve extraction ratios.
Metallurgical testwork supports a conventional sulphide flotation flowsheet involving two-stage crushing and ball milling to liberate copper minerals. The process circuit includes primary and secondary ball mills followed by rougher, cleaner, and scavenger flotation banks, with regrinding of middlings to achieve high-grade copper concentrates. The PFS confirms reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction based on a copper price of US$3.00/lb, with mineral reserves defined as Probable Mineral Reserves converted from Indicated Mineral Resources. The project requires significant infrastructure development, including power supply from refurbished hydro plants and rail transport options to the coast.
Processing Profile
- Crushing: Primary and Secondary Cone/Jaw Crushers
- Milling: Two-stage Ball Mill, Regrind (IsaMill)
- Flotation: Rougher, Cleaner, Scavenger, Recleaner Cells
- Leaching: N/A
Reports
Entities
Concepts
Website: https://www.ivanhoemines.com/news-stories/news-release/ivanhoe-mines-announces-updated-independent-study-results-for-the-kamoa-kakula-copper-complex/
Report Date: 2016
Region: Kolwezi District, Lualaba Province, DRC
Project Status: Development
Commodity: Copper, Cobalt, Silver, Gold
Throughput: 3 Mtpa
Mine Life: 24 years
Mine Type: Underground
Ore type:
