Ivanhoe Mines to reopen the western side of Kakula Mine

Kamoa Copper’s engineering teams are currently updating the short, medium, and long-term plans to resume operations on both the western and eastern sides of the Kakula Mine. Subject to dewatering progress, underground mining is expected to restart later this month on the western side of the mine, which remains dry and supported by over 1000 l/sec. of operational pumping capacity.

Operations on the eastern side of the Kakula Mine are expected to restart once dewatering is complete. Kamoa Copper has implemented a two-stage plan to dewater the entire Kakula Mine:

• Stage One involves the installation of temporary underground pumping infrastructure to stabilise and maintain current water levels. Stage One was completed on 2 June 2025, with total underground pumping capacity increasing to approximately 4400 l/sec., sufficient to manage water inflows.
• Stage Two involves the installation of high-capacity, surface-mounted pumps and new permanent infrastructure to fully dewater the entire Kakula Mine. Stage Two is already underway. Kamoa Copper has ordered four high-capacity pumps, each rated at 650 l/sec. Additional pumps will also be ordered as part of the long-term pumping infrastructure plan. These pumps will be deployed in pairs and installed in existing ventilation shafts that access the water catchment areas of the Kakula Mine. Delivery and installation of the surface pumps is expected within 90 days.

Meanwhile, the Phase 1 and 2 concentrators continue to operate at approximately 50% of their combined capacity, processing ore from surface stockpiles. Ore from the western side of the Kakula Mine will be fed into the concentrators once underground operations restart.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/finance-business/03062025/ivanhoe-mines-to-reopen-the-western-side-of-kakula-mine/