Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) Executive Co-Chair Robert Friedland and President Marna Cloete are very pleased to announce that on November 17, 2024, His Excellency Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, officially reopened the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-lead-germanium mine.
A presidential delegation attended the opening ceremony, led by DRC President, His Excellency Félix Tshisekedi, and First Lady, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi. Also in attendance were the President of the Senate, three Vice Prime Ministers, eight National Ministers, the Governor of Haut-Katanga, as well as other national, provincial, and local dignitaries.
The presidential delegation was greeted by senior management from Ivanhoe Mines, Gécamines, and Kipushi Corporation (KICO). His Excellency, Félix Tshisekedi, conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the official re-opening of the Kipushi Mine, subsequently followed by a surface tour of the operations. The ceremony was attended by KICO’s workforce, of which 97% are Congolese.
Ivanhoe Mines’ President Marna Cloete commented:
“Ivanhoe Mines, together with our governmental partners, the Minister of the Portfolio and Gécamines, have done it again! Not only have we built the largest copper mine in Africa, here in the DRC, we have now built the largest zinc mine in Africa, also here in the DRC.
“The reopening of the Kipushi Mine represents not only a milestone for sustainable resource development but also a promise of economic empowerment for our local communities. Today, we are breathing a new life into one of the world’s richest deposits, together proving that responsible mining can drive shared prosperity.
“It is therefore an immense honour to welcome the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, His Excellency Felix Tshisekedi, and the Mother of the Nation, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, in sharing in this moment in the official reopening of the Kipushi Mine.”
Gécamines’ Chairman, Guy-Robert Lukama Nkunzi commented:
“It is a great honour to take part in the official inauguration of the Kipushi Mine and to share this moment in the presence of the highest authority in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, His Excellency, the President, Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo.
“The Kipushi Mine was the beating heart of the Kipushi town since operations first began 100 years ago. However, the town’s heart stopped during the 1990s when operations were shuttered. Today, its heart has been revived, and the resumption of operations is an opportunity for a new economic paradigm, where the mine will contribute to the prosperity of everyone, and in particular the residents of Kipushi town.
“Thank you to everyone who took part in the reopening of Kipushi, whether they are public figures or ordinary citizens. I want to especially thank Ivanhoe’s President, Marna Cloete and my predecessors at Gécamines, Mr Albert Yuma Mulimbi, Mr Alphonse Kaputo and the Honourable Sama Lukonde, who, gave me the responsibility to restart this mine, for which I am very grateful.
“Kipushi is one of the country’s brightest jewels and there are many years’ worth of resources to come that are buried within its perimeter. We are confident that Ivanhoe, with Gécamines’ support, will reach its targets within set cost and time limits and ensure that recently constructed facilities are used effectively.”
Ivanhoe Mines is also proud to announce it has been ranked #2 globally in the Emissions category of the ESG Mining Company Index, as published by the Mining Journal. The ranking recognizes Ivanhoe’s leadership in sustainable mining practices and the company’s high standards of environmental stewardship, notably in the areas of emissions reduction, diversity, land and water management, health and safety, and community investment.
Independent consultants Skarn Associates of London, England, estimate that the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex and the Kipushi zinc mine have among the lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensities per tonne of metal produced globally, and the lowest of any major copper or zinc mine.
