By land area, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the second-largest country in Africa, and the 11th largest in the world. Across this landmass is a copperbelt of around 70 kilometres wide and 250 kilometres long. .
There are 72 economic deposits of copper/cobalt and four large mining centres. Taken together, the DRC and Zambia copper belts are the second largest global reserve of copper, about one-third the size of the Chilean reserve.
Producing around 63% of the world’s cobalt, the second biggest copper producer after Chile, the DRC copper belt includes some of the highest-grade copper deposits in the world.
Starting production in 2021, the Kamoa Kukula Copper Complex (Kamoa Copper) based in the DRC, produced 393,551 tonnes of copper concentrate in 2023.
Kamoa Copper’s 2023 production achievement represents a year-over-year increase of 18%. The 2024 annual production guidance for Kamoa-Kakula is estimated at between 440,000 to 490,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate, following the anticipated completion of the Phase 3 concentrator during the third quarter of 2024.
The phased expansion is projected to make Kamoa-Kakula the third-largest copper complex globally.
Phase 3 will increase Kamoa Copper’s annual copper production to a ten-year average of 650,000 tonnes of copper. The expansion includes the commissioning of a 500,000-tonne-per-annum on-site, direct-to-blister copper smelter and refurbishment of Turbine #5 at the Inga II hydroelectric facility.
The mine’s 2023 preliminary economic assessment projects a nine-year mine life extension of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, in addition to the Kamoa-Kakula 2023 pre-feasibility study of 33 years. This case includes the addition of four new underground mines in the Kamoa area (called Kamoa 3, 4, 5 and 6) to maintain the overall production rate of up to 19.2 Mtpa.
Mining with a Greater Purpose
Kamoa Copper’s vision is to build a sustainable legacy in the DRC through environmentally and socially responsible copper mining.
“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do,” shared Chairman, Ben Munanga.
Sustainability is also inextricably linked to Kamoa Copper’s company values: sustainable growth; united in diversity; and to thrive.
“Kamoa Copper acknowledges that our impact on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could shape our long-term strategy, enhance dialogue with our stakeholders, and support our licence to operate,” said Ben.
Its environmental governance priorities are driven by its objectives of contributing to the achievements of the following UN SDGs: Clean Water and Sanitation; Responsible Consumption and Production; Life on Land; Climate Action.
For waste management, Kamoa Copper employs tailings management which involves the storage and management of the finely-ground rock, fine mineral particles and water separated from ore minerals during the milling process.
“Kamoa Copper has taken a very low risk approach to how we manage our tailings and aim to meet or exceed global good practice for safe tailings management,” said Ben.
Kamoa Copper plans to minimise the surface storage and management of tailings from its mining operations by storing it underground in the mined-out workings.
“The mine has a relatively small environment-footprint because approximately half of the tailings will be mixed with cement and pumped back underground to fill voids and help support the underground mining infrastructure,” Ben added.
Further to the mine’s tailings management, Kamoa Copper understands that limiting the environmental impact and the carbon footprint of its mining operations is key to mitigating the effects of climate change.
To support the continued successful performance of its mining complex, Kamoa Copper has signed a public-partnership with DRC’s state-owned power company La Société Nationale d’Electricité to secure clean, renewable hydro-generated electricity.
“Securing sustainable, long-term electricity is essential in the development of Kamoa Copper into one of the world’s largest copper mines,” said Ben.
In addition, Kamoa Copper has pledged to incorporate state-of-the-art equipment powered by electric batteries or hydrogen fuel cells into its mining fleet, replacing diesel-powered equipment.
Commitment to Education
Ensuring Kamoa Copper’s commitment to build a sustainable legacy in the DRC, it also employs a range of social initiatives to help develop the communities in which it operates.
One such initiative is contributing to successful food-production activities in nearby communities by uplifting small-scale farmers and enabling them to increase their production capacity.
“This is laying the foundation for increased commercial farming and setting an example for future generations,” shared Ben.
The initiatives include maize production, fruit and vegetable production, fish farming, poultry farming and honey production.
In addition, the business has launched an agronomy school to offer training and research facilities to local farmers. Plans are also underway for a collaboration between the agronomy school and the University of Kolwezi, which will provide further practical training for the students.
“The long‑term vision is to continue to expand all of these projects and to diversify into other business opportunities, such as agro‑processing,” said Ben.
The business also supports mining skills training, which in 2020 saw five operational crews for the Kakula Mine and two operational crews for the Kansoko Mine trained and deployed. A total of 194 trainees were equipped with skills, including tele‑handler, agitator truck and utility vehicle training.
Most recently, Kamoa Copper has established the Kamoa Centre of Excellence, with the first phase of students enrolling in 2023.
The aim of the centre is to retain and develop local talent, the Centre of Excellence will offer degrees, diplomas and short courses in collaboration with internationally accredited institutions.
Establishing a Long-Term Logistics Agreement
In February 2024 Kamoa Copper announced an agreement with Trafigura, one of the world’s largest commodity suppliers, to transport minerals via the Lobito Atlantic Railway for a minimum term of six years.
Lobito Atlantic Railway is a new import-export trade route between the African Copperbelt and Angola’s Atlantic coast, with this agreement marking the first long-term commercial commitment to the railway. Speaking on the agreement, Founder and Executive Co-Chairman of Ivanhoe Mines (which indirectly holds 39.6% of shares in Kamoa Copper), said:
“The transformative economic corridor will unlock more copper projects due to the lower logistical costs. Cheaper logistics increase the amount of economically recoverable copper across the Copperbelt, as cut-off grades can be lowered. This makes a significant impact on discoveries made in the DRC, such as the recent high-grade and open-ended Kitoko copper discovery in the Western Foreland, where we are stepping up exploration activities this year to find more ultra-green copper metal. Kitoko is located only 30 kilometres from the existing rail line,”