Ivanhoe expects Congo copper production to rise in the second half of 2026, a statement from Ivanhoe shows

Ivanhoe Mines announced on Wednesday that copper production at its flagship Kamoa - Kakula complex, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is expected to increase in the second half of 2026. This will be due to an increase in mining rates and a reduction in inventories.

Ivanhoe Congo, based in Vancouver, is a key source of copper supply growth for the mining industry as analysts predict a tighter market globally by?2026.

* In April, the company cut its copper production forecasts for 2026 and 2027 following seismic disruptions in the Kakula Mine.

According to a statement, Kamoa-Kakula has produced 64,328 tons of copper in the form of anode, blisters and saleable concentrate during the second quarter. This brings the first-half production up to 135,745 tonnes.

Ivanhoe has maintained its production guidance for 2026 of 290 000-330,000 tons. This implies a 28% increase in the second half, based on midpoint calculations.

Ivanhoe said that mining rates would increase by 30% at Kakula in the second half of 2026 as production ramps-up. A planned destocking up to 10,000 tonne?of stock?will take place during H2 2026.

* The miner said that sulphuric acids prices remained extremely strong. July contracts were priced at $840 per ton. This was a record price. The mine's on-site acid smelter produced 112,307 metric tons of sulphuric acid in the last quarter.

* Ivanhoe’s Kipushi mine in Congo produced a record-breaking 70,177 tonnes of zinc in concentrated form, an 8% increase from the previous quarter. (Reporting and editing by Vijay Kishore; Maxwell Akalaare Adombila)

(source: Reuters)