Kipushi Zinc Mine

Kipushi is an underground zinc mine on the Zambian border near Lubumbashi. First opened in 1924, it was placed on care and maintenance in 1993. Ivanhoe Mines and Gécamines restarted it in 2024 with a new concentrator, producing first concentrate on 14 June 2024. The Big Zinc orebody averages about 36% zinc over the first five years, which Ivanhoe says makes Kipushi the world's highest-grade major zinc mine. Output is expected to average about 278,000 tonnes of zinc a year over that period. Gécamines' stake rose from 32% to 38% and is due to reach 43% in 2027.

1. 01Average about 278,000 tonnes of zinc in concentrate a year over the first five years
2. 02Mine the Big Zinc orebody at an average grade of about 36% zinc
3. 03Raise Gécamines' stake to 43% in 2027 under the 2022 joint-venture agreement
4. 04Sell concentrate to CITIC Metal and Trafigura under offtake agreements
5. 05Revive an historic mining town after three decades of closure

1. 1924 · completed

   Mine Opens

   Kipushi began operating during the Belgian colonial era.

2. 1993 · completed

   Care and Maintenance

   The mine was closed and flooded during Congo's economic collapse.

3. 2022 · completed

   New Joint Venture

   Ivanhoe and Gécamines signed a new joint-venture agreement to restart the mine.

4. 2024 · completed

   Restart

   First ore entered the new concentrator on 31 May and first zinc concentrate was produced on 14 June.

5. 2024 · completed

   Gécamines Stake Rises

   Gécamines' ownership increased from 32% to 38%.

6. 2027 · upcoming

   Stake to 43%

   Gécamines' stake is scheduled to rise to 43%.

• Underground mining through refurbished historic shafts and infrastructure
• New dense media separation and milling concentrator
• Flotation to high-grade zinc concentrate
• Road and rail export via Zambia and southern African ports

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• Ivanhoe Mines (62%)
• Gécamines (38%, rising to 43% in 2027)