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Lualaba Copper Smelter

The Lualaba Copper Smelter is a copper processing facility located in Kolwezi, Lualaba province, Democratic Republic of Congo. The smelter is associated with Ivanhoe Mines' Kamoa-Kakula copper mining complex, one of the world's largest and highest-grade copper mining operations. It processes copper concentrate from the Kamoa-Kakula mine into refined copper products for export and domestic use. The facility forms part of the integrated value chain that Ivanhoe Mines has developed in the region, enabling the company to add value to its ore locally rather than exporting raw concentrate. The smelter contributes to the Democratic Republic of Congo's ambition to expand its downstream processing capacity and capture more value from its mineral resources. Kolwezi, the host city, sits at the heart of the Congolese Copperbelt, a region rich in copper and cobalt deposits. The smelter's operations support employment and economic activity in Lualaba province, one of the country's key mining regions. Ivanhoe Mines, led by executive co-chairman Robert Friedland, has positioned the Kamoa-Kakula project and its associated infrastructure as a cornerstone of copper supply growth at a time of rising global demand driven by electrification and renewable energy. The development of the smelter reflects broader trends in African mining, where governments and investors increasingly prioritise beneficiation and local value addition.

Lualaba Copper Smelter News


Looking north over the newly built Kansoko Sud boxcut, which is expected to start underground development in ore from the first quarter of 2027. The new boxcut will support the increase in production to between 380 000 t and 420 000 t of copper in 2027.
Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, Democratic Republic of Congo – update
17th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Ivanhoe Mines has maintained 2026 production guidance at 290 000 t to 330 000 t of copper in anode or blister, and 2027 guidance at 380 000 t to 420 000 t. 


Kamoa Kakula
Kamoa-Kakula’s second-quarter output reached 64 328 t of copper – Ivanhoe
8th July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

TSX-listed Ivanhoe Mines has reported that Kamoa-Kakula, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, produced 64 328 t of copper in the second quarter of this year, while improved mining rates and... 


The Kamoa-Kakula mine
Ivanhoe reports 71 417 t of copper from Kamoa-Kakula, record 6% increase in production from Kipushi
13th April 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

TSX-listed Ivanhoe Mines has produced 71 417 t of copper in blister and anode from its Kamoa-Kakula copper smelter, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), for the first quarter of this year.... 


Kamoa-Kakula complex
Ivanhoe announces first anode production from Kamoa-Kakula copper smelter
23rd January 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

TSX-listed Ivanhoe Mines has announced that the first copper anodes were produced by Kamoa-Kakula’s on-site, state-of-the-art 500 000 t/y direct-to-blister copper smelter, in the Democratic... 


A view over the casting wheels during the first batch of anodes produced by the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Smelter on December 29, 2025
Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, Democratic Republic of Congo – update
9th January 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Ivanhoe Mines has produced the first copper anodes at its direct-to-blister copper smelter at the Kamoa-Kakula complex. 


Kamoa-Kakula complex
Ivanhoe announces first anode production from Kamoa-Kakula copper smelter
5th January 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

TSX-listed Ivanhoe Mines has announced that the first copper anodes were produced by Kamoa-Kakula’s on-site, state-of-the-art 500 000 t/y direct-to-blister copper smelter, in the Democratic... 


Kamoa-Kakula direct-to-blister copper smelter
Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, Democratic Republic of Congo – update
5th December 2025 By: Sheila Barradas

The startup of Kamoa-Kakula’s 500 000 t/y direct-to-blister copper smelter started on November 21, 2025. 


Chief Musokantanda Sabuni Kafweku (front left) and Ivanhoe Mines co-chairperson Robert Friedland (front right) cut the ribbon, opening the new smelter
Ivanhoe celebrates start of heat-up of Africa's 'largest, greenest' copper smelter
2nd December 2025 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Canadian mining company Ivanhoe Mines has confirmed the start-up of the 500 000 t/y direct-to-blister copper smelter at its joint venture Kamoa-Kakula complex in the Democratic Republic of Congol... 


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pqt: 0.057s - ct: 0.113s - 179pq - 2rq
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