Ivanhoe Mines achieved a monthly output record of 35 856 tonnes (t) of copper concentrate in May  at its Kamoa-Kakula copper complex in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

This compares to the previous month’s output of 34 826 t, bringing the quarter-to-date total to 70 682 t.

A new daily milling record of 29 366 t of ore was also achieved from Phase 1 and 2 concentrators, which is equivalent to a yearly milling rate of 9.8 million tonnes. 

Ivanhoe said the results exceed the additional milling capacity of 9.2-million tonnes per year realised as a result of the Phase 1 and 2 concentrator debottlenecking programme, which was completed in February.

Meanwhile, the miner said that construction activities for the Phase 3 expansion with a capacity of 500 000 t of more than 99%-pure copper anodes, were progressing as planned for first production in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Ivanhoe completed the concrete foundations for the Phase 3 concentrator's two ball mills, as well as the foundations for the flotation cells.