A new era in African copper production has begun in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The inauguration of a massive, state-of-the-art copper smelter, built by Canadian firm Ivanhoe Mines, signifies a monumental leap forward for the nation and the continent.
For decades, the DRC has been a major exporter of raw copper concentrate, shipping its valuable ore abroad for processing. Now, that’s changing. This $700 million facility marks a decisive shift – the DRC is poised to become a significant supplier of *refined* copper to the world, capturing far greater value within its own borders.
Located at the Kamoa-Kakula mine, one of the world’s highest-grade copper operations, the smelter boasts an impressive annual capacity of 490,000 tons. It’s not just about volume, however; this is designed to be Africa’s largest and greenest copper smelter, setting a new standard for sustainable production.
Before this facility, approximately 35% of Ivanhoe Mines’ mined concentrate went to a local smelter, while the remainder was exported. Now, the company aims to process *all* Kamoa-Kakula copper within the DRC, maximizing economic benefits for the country.
The process transforms copper concentrate, containing roughly 55% copper, into “blister copper” – an intermediate product with a remarkable 99% purity. This refined product is then used to create copper anodes, further increasing the value chain within the DRC.
Despite a recent, temporary adjustment to production projections following a seismic event, the long-term outlook is bright. The launch isn’t merely an industrial achievement; it’s a symbolic moment, a “ritual” marking a transformative change in African copper mining, according to Ivanhoe Mines’ founder.
The inauguration itself was steeped in tradition, featuring colorful ceremonies led by local community leaders. This underscored the project’s commitment to integrating with and benefiting the surrounding communities.
Ivanhoe Mines’ operations extend beyond the DRC, encompassing projects in South Africa as well. But it’s here, at Kamoa-Kakula, that a particularly ambitious vision is taking shape – a vision of a fully integrated, sustainable copper industry.
Annebel Oosthuizen, Managing Director of Kamoa-Kakula, powerfully stated that the smelter’s launch “is the light that will change the future, not just for Kamoa Copper, but for our community, our country, and the African continent.”
The mine’s output reached 437,061 tons of copper in 2024, and the completion of a Phase 3 concentrator last year boosted potential annual production to around 600,000 tons. This positions Kamoa-Kakula among Africa’s most influential copper producers.
What truly sets Kamoa-Kakula apart is its self-sufficiency. Unlike many large copper mines in neighboring Zambia, which rely heavily on external smelters, this operation now boasts complete on-site processing capabilities.
Global demand for copper is surging, fueled by the electric vehicle revolution, the growth of renewable energy, and the broader energy transition. This new smelter ensures that the DRC, and Kamoa-Kakula, will play a pivotal role in meeting that demand with clean, sustainably produced copper.
Ultimately, this isn’t just about mining copper; it’s about building a future. A future where the DRC controls its resources, adds value locally, and becomes a major force in the global copper market.
