Ivanhoe Mines’ Kamoa-Kakula copper complex produced 76,401 tonnes of saleable copper in the third quarter of 2026, up from 64,328 tonnes in the second quarter as mining and processing rates improved. The quarter’s total included 61,506 tonnes of copper anode from the on-site smelter, 2,347 tonnes of toll-treated blister copper, 5,645 tonnes of slag concentrate and 6,904 tonnes of copper fines designated for sale.
The company said higher mining rates and the sale of previously stockpiled high-grade fines supported the second-half improvement.
The complex also produced a quarterly record of 118,638 tonnes of high-strength sulphuric acid, with average contract prices near $900 per tonne. Kamoa-Kakula’s 60-megawatt hybrid solar facility began ramping up in September, cutting diesel-generator consumption by 40%; agreements are in place to expand solar capacity to 120 megawatts within 18 months.
Ivanhoe maintained its 2026 copper-production guidance at 290,000 to 310,000 tonnes, while saying output was trending toward the lower end of that range. Copper inventory increased from about 40,000 tonnes at the start of the quarter to roughly 43,000 tonnes at the end, after 6,904 tonnes of high-grade fines were prepared for third-party sale. More of those fines are expected to be assessed and offered for sale in the fourth quarter.
The company’s Kipushi zinc operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo also posted a record quarter, producing 77,147 tonnes of zinc in concentrate, 10% more than in the second quarter.
In South Africa, construction of the Phase 2 concentrator at the Platreef platinum-group-metals, nickel and copper mine was advancing toward its scheduled completion in the fourth quarter of 2027. Ivanhoe said it would release third-quarter financial results after market close on Nov. 3 and hold an investor conference call the following day.