TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – TSX-listed Katanga Mining has resumed production of copper and cobalt from its Luilu plant, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, after replacing a transformer that was damaged by fire earlier this month.

The company's revenue was not negatively affected by the fire and subsequent repairs, because it was able to dip into inventories of finished metal, thereby avoiding any disruption to copper sales.

Cobalt sales were only disrupted in a small way, Katanga said.

The company, which is consolidating, rehabilitating and expanding the neighbouring Kamoto and KOV operations in the DRC, after merging with rival Nikanor earlier this year, has indicated that it is reviewing capital expenditure plans going forward, in response to recent turbulent market conditions.

Katanga then announced on November 21 that it had temporarily stopped mining operations at its Tilwezembe open pit and ore processing at its Kolwezi concentrator, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in response to slumping cobalt prices.

The suspension will remain in place until cobalt production becomes economically viable, interim CEO Steven Isaacs said at the time.

To subscribe to Mining Weekly's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.