| Company | Kipushi Corporation SA |
| Date | 2017 |
| Region | Haut-Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Commodities | Zinc, Copper, Lead |
| Mine Type | Underground |
| Throughput | 800 ktpa |
| Mine Life | 11 years |
| Status | Development |
Executive Summary
The Kipushi 2017 Prefeasibility Study outlines the redevelopment of the Kipushi Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The project is currently in the development phase, utilizing existing underground infrastructure refurbished for production. The proposed process plant has a nameplate capacity of 800 ktpa, targeting a life-of-mine average annual zinc concentrate production of 381 ktpa with a grade of 59% Zn. The mine life is estimated at eleven years, producing approximately 2,472 kt of zinc metal.
The processing circuit involves two-stage surface crushing, Dense Media Separation (DMS) to reject dolomitic waste, and a single ball mill in closed circuit with cyclones. Flotation is conducted in two stages to recover copper/lead followed by zinc. The project requires significant infrastructure refurbishment, including a 34 km rail spur to connect to the national network for concentrate export. The study identifies a positive business case with an after-tax NPV of $683M at an 8% discount rate.
Processing Overview
- Crushing: Two-stage surface crushing (Secondary + Tertiary)
- Separation: Dense Media Separation (DMS)
- Milling: Single Ball Mill (900 kW)
- Flotation: Two-stage differential flotation (Cu/Pb then Zn)
Reports
Website: https://www.ivanhoemines.com/what-we-do/operations-projects/kipushi-development-project/
Report Date: 2017
Region: Haut-Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo
Project Status: Development
Commodity: Zinc, Copper, Lead
Throughput: 800 ktpa
Mine Life: 11 years
Mine Type: Underground
Ore type:
Technical report and processing history
The following archived source profiles have been consolidated here to preserve the project’s processing history and study context.
Kipushi Mine — 2016 Pre-Feasibility Study
Kipushi Mine — 2016 Pre-Feasibility Study
| Company | Kipushi Project |
| Date | 2016 |
| Region | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Commodities | Zinc, Copper |
| Mine Type | Underground |
| Throughput | 150 tph |
| Mine Life | 10 years |
| Annual Production | 5,296 kt Zn concentrate |
| Status | Development |
Executive Summary
This report details the recovery methods for the Kipushi Underground Mine, outlining a Dense Media Separation (DMS) and Spiral Concentrator plant designed to treat 9.4 Mt of zinc feed over a 10-year mine life. The process targets the production of 5,296 kt of zinc concentrate at 53% Zn, with a secondary tolling arrangement for 547 kt of copper feed to produce 106 kt of copper concentrate.
The primary processing circuit involves crushing and screening followed by DMS using Ferro Silicon media to separate sphalerite from dolomite gangue. Fine fractions are upgraded via spiral concentrators. Tailings are utilized as underground backfill. The plant includes two 75 tph DMS cyclone plants and a 20 tph spiral plant, with concentrate bagging and rail loading facilities at Kipushi Station.
Operational Details
Processing Profile
Website: https://www.ivanhoemines.com/what-we-do/operations-projects/kipushi-development-project/
Report Date: 2016
Region: Democratic Republic of Congo
Project Status: Development
Commodity: Zinc, Copper
Throughput: 150 tph
Mine Life: 10 years
Mine Type: Underground
Ore type:
