KOLWEZI – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has fundamentally redrawn the map of the global copper supply chain following the first production of refined copper anodes at Ivanhoe Mines’ Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex. The landmark achievement, recorded on December 29, 2025, signals a decisive move away from the traditional model of exporting raw mineral concentrates, instead capturing higher margins through domestic, high-tech industrial processing.
The commissioning of the 500,000-tonne-per-annum direct-to-blister smelter—the largest and “greenest” facility of its kind on the African continent—represents a US$1.1 billion capital deployment into regional industrial capacity. By upgrading output from 45% copper concentrate to 99.7% pure copper anodes, the complex is expected to halve its outbound logistics costs while simultaneously insulating itself from the volatility of international refining charges.
“The first production of copper anodes from our world-class smelter is a defining moment for Kamoa-Kakula,” stated Robert Friedland, Founder and Executive Co-Chairman of Ivanhoe Mines, in a media statement marking the milestone. “This achievement is the culmination of a US$1.1 billion investment, 18 million man-hours of disciplined execution, and an outstanding health and safety record that reflects the professionalism and commitment of everyone involved. This facility will proudly deliver the highest-quality Congolese copper anodes to the international markets, setting a new global benchmark for scale, efficiency, and sustainability.”
Operational economics for 2026 are underscored by a conservative ramp-up strategy, with production targets set between 380,000 and 420,000 tonnes. This 80% capacity utilization allows the engineering teams to ensure the stability of the facility’s integrated subsystems, including a 60-megawatt uninterruptible power supply and a state-of-the-art acid plant. The latter is already producing 1,200 tonnes of sulphuric acid daily, creating a lucrative secondary revenue stream that exploits a regional shortage following Zambia’s recent export restrictions.
Strategic market timing further bolsters the project’s financial profile. Ivanhoe plans to draw down approximately 20,000 tonnes of stockpiled copper concentrate throughout 2026, aiming to monetize inventory during a period of favorable global pricing. This de-stocking strategy, combined with the logistical efficiencies of shipping refined metal rather than bulk concentrate, is expected to drive significant margin expansion as the smelter moves toward steady-state operations by year-end.
Beyond the balance sheet, the smelter establishes a blueprint for vertical integration in resource-rich nations. By integrating renewable energy—including a 60-megawatt solar farm slated for mid-2026—and high-level metallurgical technology, the facility positions the DRC as a preferred supplier for global markets increasingly demanding ethically sourced and low-carbon critical minerals. The project’s success serves as a powerful proof of concept for the “value-at-source” model, potentially catalyzing a broader industrial renaissance across the Central African Copperbelt
