The Kamoa-Kakula copper mine, the largest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, recently revised its production forecasts for the year 2026. According to the Canadian operator Ivanhoe Mines, maximum production will now be capped at 330,000 tonnes, a figure significantly lower than the initial target of 420,000 tonnes. This announcement was made on March 31.
This revision is attributed to a more cautious approach to mining operations following disruptions encountered last year. Ivanhoe Mines has decided to focus its efforts on mine development and infrastructure strengthening over the coming years. The objective is to ensure a more stable and sustainable extraction rate in the long term. Consequently, production is expected to increase after 2026, reaching between 380,000 and 420,000 tonnes in 2027, before surpassing the record threshold of 500,000 tonnes starting in 2028.
Marna Cloete, President of Ivanhoe Mines, highlighted the efforts made by the Kamoa Copper team to maintain the Kakula mine after a challenging year in 2025. While this prudent approach impacts production levels for 2026 and 2027, it also prepares the mine to reach new heights from 2028 onwards, with production targets of over 500,000 tonnes of copper anodes and blister copper for several decades.
The financial implications of this strategy remain to be clarified, especially as the copper market has experienced a significant decline, with Trading Economics reporting a drop of approximately 10% in March. In 2025, despite a reduction in sales volumes, Kamoa-Kakula recorded an increase in revenue, reaching $3.11 billion USD, thanks to higher copper prices.
One positive aspect to note is the commissioning of the Kamoa-Kakula smelter. Previously, the copper produced was sold as concentrate. Thanks to this new facility, the site is now capable of processing this concentrate into copper anodes—a higher-value product—which will serve as the benchmark for reported volumes.
To put things into perspective, the Kamoa-Kakula project is 39.6% owned by Ivanhoe Mines, in partnership with the Chinese group Zijin Mining, while the Congolese State holds a 20% stake. This international collaboration underscores the strategic importance of this mine, not only for the DRC but also for the global copper market.
In summary, although Kamoa-Kakula faces short-term production challenges, efforts to stabilize and improve mining infrastructure position it for future success.