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Ivanhoe Mines Announces Restart of Underground Mining Operations on Western Side of Kakula Mine on June 7, 2025

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Ivanhoe Mines announced the restart of underground mining operations at Kakula Mine's western side on June 7, 2025, following stabilization of water levels. The company revised its 2025 copper production guidance to 370,000-420,000 tonnes. Mining operations resumed after installing additional pumping capacity of 4,400 liters per second. The eastern side mining will focus on developing new access drives to a fresh mining area, isolated from dewatering activities. Preliminary geotechnical findings revealed seismic activity originated from mature extraction areas, leading to stress redistribution on regional pillars. The Phase 1 and 2 concentrators are operating at 50% capacity, while Phase 3 continues to outperform. The smelter startup is expected in September 2025, with first anode production in October 2025.
Ivanhoe Mines ha annunciato la ripresa delle operazioni di estrazione sotterranea sul lato occidentale della miniera di Kakula il 7 giugno 2025, dopo la stabilizzazione dei livelli d'acqua. L'azienda ha rivisto la previsione di produzione di rame per il 2025 a 370.000-420.000 tonnellate. Le attività minerarie sono riprese dopo l'installazione di una capacità di pompaggio aggiuntiva di 4.400 litri al secondo. Sul lato orientale, l'estrazione si concentrerà sullo sviluppo di nuovi accessi a una nuova area mineraria, isolata dalle attività di drenaggio. I primi risultati geotecnici hanno evidenziato che l'attività sismica ha origine nelle aree di estrazione mature, causando una redistribuzione delle sollecitazioni sui pilastri regionali. I concentratori delle Fasi 1 e 2 operano al 50% della capacità, mentre la Fase 3 continua a superare le aspettative. L'avvio dell'impianto di fusione è previsto per settembre 2025, con la prima produzione di anodi a ottobre 2025.
Ivanhoe Mines anunció la reanudación de las operaciones mineras subterráneas en el lado occidental de la mina Kakula el 7 de junio de 2025, tras la estabilización de los niveles de agua. La empresa revisó su guía de producción de cobre para 2025 a 370,000-420,000 toneladas. Las operaciones mineras se reanudaron tras la instalación de una capacidad adicional de bombeo de 4,400 litros por segundo. La minería en el lado oriental se centrará en desarrollar nuevos accesos a una zona minera fresca, aislada de las actividades de desagüe. Los hallazgos geotécnicos preliminares revelaron que la actividad sísmica se originó en áreas de extracción maduras, lo que llevó a una redistribución de tensiones en los pilares regionales. Los concentradores de las Fases 1 y 2 operan al 50% de su capacidad, mientras que la Fase 3 continúa superando expectativas. Se espera que el inicio de la fundición sea en septiembre de 2025, con la primera producción de ánodos en octubre de 2025.
아이반호 마인즈는 2025년 6월 7일 카쿨라 광산 서쪽 지역의 지하 채굴 작업이 수위 안정화 이후 재개되었음을 발표했습니다. 회사는 2025년 구리 생산 가이던스를 37만~42만 톤으로 수정했습니다. 추가로 초당 4,400리터의 펌핑 용량을 설치한 후 채굴 작업이 재개되었습니다. 동쪽 지역 채굴은 배수 작업과 분리된 새로운 광구 진입로 개발에 집중할 예정입니다. 예비 지반공학 조사 결과, 지진 활동은 성숙한 채굴 지역에서 발생했으며, 이로 인해 지역 기둥에 대한 응력 재분배가 이루어졌습니다. 1단계 및 2단계 농축기는 50% 용량으로 운영 중이며, 3단계는 계속해서 우수한 성능을 보이고 있습니다. 제련소 가동은 2025년 9월로 예정되어 있으며, 첫 음극 생산은 2025년 10월에 이루어질 예정입니다.
Ivanhoe Mines a annoncé la reprise des opérations minières souterraines du côté ouest de la mine de Kakula le 7 juin 2025, après la stabilisation des niveaux d'eau. La société a révisé ses prévisions de production de cuivre pour 2025 à 370 000-420 000 tonnes. Les opérations minières ont repris après l'installation d'une capacité de pompage supplémentaire de 4 400 litres par seconde. L'exploitation du côté est se concentrera sur le développement de nouvelles galeries d'accès vers une zone minière fraîche, isolée des activités de drainage. Les premières observations géotechniques ont révélé que l'activité sismique provenait de zones d'extraction matures, entraînant une redistribution des contraintes sur les piliers régionaux. Les concentrateurs des phases 1 et 2 fonctionnent à 50 % de leur capacité, tandis que la phase 3 continue de surpasser les attentes. Le démarrage du haut fourneau est prévu pour septembre 2025, avec la première production d'anodes en octobre 2025.
Ivanhoe Mines gab am 7. Juni 2025 die Wiederaufnahme der unterirdischen Bergbauarbeiten auf der Westseite der Kakula-Mine bekannt, nachdem sich die Wasserstände stabilisiert hatten. Das Unternehmen hat seine Kupferproduktionsprognose für 2025 auf 370.000-420.000 Tonnen angepasst. Die Bergbauarbeiten wurden nach der Installation einer zusätzlichen Pumpkapazität von 4.400 Litern pro Sekunde wieder aufgenommen. Der Abbau auf der Ostseite konzentriert sich auf die Entwicklung neuer Zugänge zu einem frischen Abbaugebiet, das von den Entwässerungsaktivitäten isoliert ist. Vorläufige geotechnische Untersuchungen zeigten, dass seismische Aktivitäten aus reifen Abbaugebieten stammen, was zu einer Spannungsumverteilung an regionalen Pfeilern führte. Die Konzentratoren der Phasen 1 und 2 arbeiten mit 50 % Kapazität, während Phase 3 weiterhin übertrifft. Der Start des Hüttenbetriebs ist für September 2025 geplant, die erste Anodenproduktion für Oktober 2025.
Positive
  • Underground mining operations successfully resumed on western side of Kakula Mine
  • Additional 4,400 liters per second pumping capacity installed, stabilizing water levels
  • Phase 3 concentrator outperforming expectations with 30% higher throughput than design capacity
  • New high-grade mining area identified in eastern section for future development
  • Smelter startup on track for September 2025
Negative
  • Production guidance revised downward for 2025
  • Phase 1 and 2 concentrators operating at only 50% capacity
  • Geotechnical issues identified in eastern mine section requiring structural modifications
  • Dewatering of eastern side delayed until August 2025
  • Life-of-mine integrated development plan temporarily paused

Underground water levels in Kakula Mine stabilized; dewatering to commence in Q3 2025

Kamoa-Kakula revises 2025 production guidance to between 370,000 and 420,000 tonnes of copper

Smelter start-up expected to commence in September 2025, with first anode anticipated in October 2025

Ivanhoe Mines to host a conference call for investors before market open on June 12, 2025

Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of the Congo--(Newsfile Corp. - June 11, 2025) - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) Executive Co-Chairman Robert Friedland and President Marna Cloete announce today an update on operational activities at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, including preliminary geotechnical findings relating to underground seismic activity experienced at the Kakula Mine, as first announced on May 20, 2025.

Underground mining on the western side of the Kakula Mine has resumed in a safe and conservative manner, with equipment and mining crews returning underground on June 7, 2025. The short-term mine plan for the western side of Kakula has been updated to include recommendations from the preliminary findings.

Mining activities in the eastern side of the Kakula Mine are expected to start imminently, with activities solely focused on developing access drives to a new mining area east of the existing mine workings. Development to the new mining area will be isolated from the dewatering activities on the same side of the mine.

As announced on June 2, 2025, additional underground pumping capacity was installed at the Kakula Mine, stabilizing underground water levels. The frequency of seismic activity has decreased since first reported on May 18, 2025. Dewatering the eastern side of the Kakula Mine is expected to commence in August 2025 and be complete during the fourth quarter.

Recommendations from the preliminary geotechnical findings from world-leading experts have been included in the short-term mine plans for the Kakula Mine to ensure a safe restart of underground operations. Concurrently, medium- and long-term mine plans are under review by Kamoa-Kakula management, together with technical consultants.

The Phase 1 and 2 concentrators continue to operate at approximately 50% of their combined operating capacity, processing ore from surface stockpiles. The processing rate of the concentrators will ramp up throughout the remainder of 2025, as mining on the western side of the Kakula Mine increases, supplemented by feed from ore stockpiles. Mining operations at the Kamoa underground mine, as well as ore processing at the adjacent Phase 3 concentrator, continue to outperform.

With the necessary copper concentrate expected to be available, the on-site copper smelter is anticipated to start up in September, with first anode expected in October 2025.

Ivanhoe Mines Executive Co-Chair, Robert Friedland commented:

"We are thankful and deeply appreciate our team's swift response to stabilize underground water levels in the Kakula Mine and resume mining on the western side. The team has quickly secured the critical equipment needed to safely dewater the entirety of the mine, while preparing to access a new high-grade mining area in the east.

"While it's still too early to outline our detailed plans for 2026 and 2027, the future remains bright across the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex and adjacent Western Forelands Exploration Project. Kamoa-Kakula is, and will continue to be, a world-class Tier One operation, with decades ahead of us as one of the world's leading copper producers."

President & Chief Executive Officer, Marna Cloete, commented:

"We are working tirelessly to safely and systematically restore full operations at the Kakula Mine. Safety has always been, and will always remain, our highest priority. We want to extend our sincere thanks to the mining crews, the engineering teams and our long-term contractors for their extraordinary efforts in restoring pumping capacity and restarting operations, all without any lost time injuries.

"The resilience of our team and the strength of our operations reflect the extraordinary nature of this world-class copper district-and the future it holds for generations to come."

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Figure 1. Outline of the Kakula and Kakula West orebody, overlaid with the underground development since mining commenced in 2021. A significant portion of the original Kakula deposit remains unmined as of May 2025. 

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Notes: Existing underground development as at May 2025. Illustration is based on the 2023 Kamoa-Kakula IDP showing the estimated average grade of each vertical stack of blocks above a 2% total copper cut-off. A minimum 3-metre thickness is applied.

Underground water levels in Kakula Mine have stabilized; underground mining recommences on the western side of Kakula

Although water inflow rates into the Kakula Mine modestly increased following the initial seismic activity, they have since stabilized at approximately 4,000 litres per second. With existing underground pumping infrastructure impacted by the seismic activity, a total of approximately 4,400 litres per second of additional underground pumping capacity was installed, stabilizing underground water levels. The new pump stations feed into the existing central pumping infrastructure, where the water is then pumped to surface at four locations near the bottom of the north and south twin declines, as shown in Figure 2.

With water levels stabilized, mining in the western side of the Kakula Mine has restarted. Mobile equipment and mining crews, which were evacuated from the mine on May 18, 2025, are returning underground, with the first blast having occurred on June 7, 2025. Short-term mine plans have been updated to include the recommendations from the preliminary geotechnical findings. Kamoa-Kakula's mining crews aim to ramp up mining from the western side of the Kakula Mine to approximately 300,000 tonnes per month (3.6 million tonnes per year on an annualized basis) during the second half of 2025, subject to underground conditions.

For the remainder of 2025, Kakula's underground mining crews will focus on three activities: ramping up mining on the western side of the Kakula Mine; developing a new mining area on the eastern side of the Kakula Mine; and ramping up production from the Kamoa mining area.

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Figure 2: Overview of Kakula Mine's existing underground infrastructure, showing current pumping rates, future pumping capacity and depth of mine workings. 

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The additional mining crews deployed to the Kamoa mining area, approximately 10 kilometres north of Kakula, will assist the existing teams with underground development, as well as decline development from the construction of a new box cut planned at the Kansoko Mine. The new box cut will enable increased production from Kansoko, providing an additional source of ore for the Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrators.

Mining crews to focus on new mining area in eastern side of Kakula; development to commence imminently, isolated from dewatering activities

Mining in the eastern side of the Kakula Mine will follow a new mine plan, prioritizing development to a new mining area further east, beyond the existing mine workings. The new mining area will be separated from the existing mine workings by a barrier pillar. The barrier pillar is designed to protect the new mining area from any potential spread of geotechnical instability from the existing mining area.

Mining crews will construct two new access drives to the new mining area, which are expected to start imminently. The new access drives will be developed simultaneously, advancing east from existing underground infrastructure, as shown in Figure 2. Development to the new mining area is expected to be conducted in both ore and waste and be completed in the second quarter of 2026. The new development drives will be isolated from the mine workings that being dewatered and will advance independently of dewatering activities.

Following the completion of dewatering activities on the eastern side of Kakula, a physical geotechnical inspection of the mine's existing workings will be conducted, concluding the full assessment by the geotechnical experts. The results of this assessment will determine the approach and extent of mining in this area.

As shown in Figure 2, the mine workings are at their deepest on the eastern side of the mine and therefore underground flooding is predominantly concentrated around this area. The Kamoa-Kakula engineering team has a two-stage plan to dewater the entire Kakula Mine.

Stage One involves the installation of additional temporary underground pumping infrastructure to stabilize and maintain current water levels. Stage One was completed as announced on June 2, 2025.

Stage Two involves the installation of high-capacity, submersible pumps, and new permanent infrastructure to fully dewater the entire Kakula Mine from surface. Kamoa Copper has ordered five high-capacity pumps, each rated at 650 litres per second. Additional pumps will also be ordered as part of the long-term pumping infrastructure plan. These pumps will be deployed in pairs down existing shaft infrastructure, accessing the deepest sections of the Kakula Mine as shown in Figure 2. Dewatering activities are expected to commence in August 2025. Engineering crews will refurbish underground pumping and ventilation infrastructure, as well as complete geotechnical assessments, as water levels subside. Dewatering of the entire Kakula Mine is expected to be complete during the fourth quarter.

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Looking south: The two existing shaft locations where the "Stage Two" dewatering surface pumping infrastructure will be installed to dewater the eastern side of the Kakula Mine. Water will be discharged into existing surface water channels (right of picture). 

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Looking north with the Phase 1 and 2 concentrators in the background: One of the two shaft locations shown in the foreground that will be used for the "Stage Two" dewatering of the deepest area of the Kakula Mine. 

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A high-capacity submersible pump, similar to those being procured by Kamoa Copper for dewatering the Kakula Mine, prior to being lowered down a shaft at the Luansha Copper Mine, Zambia in September 2024. Photo source: CNMC (China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group Co., Ltd).

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Preliminary geotechnical findings on the cause of recent seismic activity

Two prominent, independent geotechnical engineering organizations, Beck Engineering of New South Wales, Australia (Beck Engineering) and Open House Management Solutions of Potchefstroom, South Africa (Open House), were engaged and mobilized to Kamoa-Kakula shortly after seismic activity was first detected on May 18, 2025. Both consulting engineering firms have been working diligently with Kamoa-Kakula's engineering team, with support from Ivanhoe Mines.

Preliminary findings indicate that the seismic activity originated in an area within the eastern side of the Kakula Mine with a mature percentage of extraction. Current thinking postulates that blocks of ore, earmarked for secondary extraction, started to yield in a cascading fashion, which resulted in stress redistribution onto regional pillars. As a consequence, the regional pillars became over-stressed and started to yield. The backfill, placed in mined-out stopes, was not capable of preventing the stress redistribution onto regional support pillars, but may have been a mitigant. The possibility that adverse regional geological features may have exacerbated the yielding of regional pillars cannot be excluded at this time. Pillars are sections of untouched ore or rock left in place to support the roof of the mine, while stopes are mined-out areas. Backfill is the process whereby mined-out stopes are filled with a mixture of concentrator tailings and cement, which cures to achieve a targeted strength.

The geotechnical assessment has not yet been finalized as it relies on physical access to the eastern section of the Kakula Mine once dewatering is completed.

The preliminary findings recommend modifying the short-term mine plans to increase pillar widths for additional structural support. The findings also advise changes to the mining sequence to improve stress distribution and overall stability. Furthermore, enhanced geotechnical monitoring will be installed throughout the mine.

Kamoa-Kakula's management, together with Beck Engineering, Open House and other technical consultants, are evaluating any changes to the short-, medium- and long-term mine plans in light of these preliminary geotechnical findings.

Work on an updated life-of-mine integrated development plan, which was underway before the seismic activity occurred, has been paused until Ivanhoe Mines' engineering team and its panel of technical experts have reviewed and agreed on any updated assumptions. Ivanhoe Mines will provide a timing update on the delivery of an updated IDP once work recommences.

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Members of Kamoa-Kakula's mining crew, (L-R) Kalume Malidja, Mining Foreman and Morné Du Plooy, Mining Superintendent 

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Phase 1 and 2 concentrators operating at reduced capacity and set to ramp up as mining restarts on western side of the Kakula Mine; Phase 3 concentrator continues to outperform

Crews recommenced mining on the western side of Kakula on June 7, 2025. Mining from this section will commence safely and conservatively, with planned ramp-up to an annualized mining rate of 3.6 million tonnes during the third quarter. This rate is sufficient for the Phase 1 and 2 concentrators to operate at a throughput of more than 80% of their combined design capacity of 9.2 million tonnes per annum, supplemented by ore from surface stockpiles and ore trucked from the Kamoa mines. Run-of-mine grade from the western side of Kakula, including development, is expected to range between 3.0% and 4.0% copper for the remainder of the year.

The Phase 1 and 2 concentrators continue to operate at approximately 50% of their combined capacity, processing ore from surface stockpiles since underground operations ceased on May 18, 2025.

The Phase 3 concentrator, located adjacent to the Kamoa mines area as shown in Figure 3, has continued to outperform operationally since the start of the year. The concentrator is operating at an average annualized milling rate of approximately 6.5 million tonnes per annum, which is 30% higher than the concentrator's design capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum. Year-to-date, ore processed by the Phase 3 concentrator has an average feed grade of 2.84% copper. Mining from the Kamoa and Kansoko mines, have ramped up over the past 2 months to a combined rate of over 6.8 million tonnes per annum on an annualized basis.

Short-term mine plans for the Kamoa and Kansoko mines have findings been updated to include the recommendations from the preliminary geotechnical assessment. Longer-term mine plans will be also be reviewed alongside Kakula.

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Figure 3. Overview of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex 

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Revised 2025 production guidance

Kamoa-Kakula's updated 2025 production guidance is based on several assumptions and estimates as of June 10, 2025. The guidance provided involves estimates of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results to differ materially.

The revised 2025 production guidance takes into account the probable effect of recent seismic activity and associated interruptions in mining operations at the Kakula Mine. Although mining in the western side of the Kakula Mine has restarted risk factors remain, including; it is too early to accurately predict potential disruption caused by further unexpected seismic activity, the integrity of underground infrastructure, the ability to ramp up underground operations, the ability to complete dewatering activities and the time required to access the new mining areas. The updated 2025 production guidance is based on an assessment of these factors that management believes are reasonable at this time, given all available information. A waterfall diagram shown in Figure 4 details a breakdown of the revised production guidance.

Revised 2025 Production Guidance
Kamoa-Kakula 370,000 - 420,000Contained copper in concentrate (tonnes)

 

All figures are on a 100%-project basis and metal reported in concentrate is before refining losses or payability deductions associated with smelter terms.

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Figure 4. Waterfall breakdown of original to revised 2025 production guidance, approximated by category ('000's tonnes of copper) with percentage change shown in boxes

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The 2026 target of approximately 600,000 tonnes of copper production is withdrawn pending further review. Ivanhoe Mines will provide a timely update on the 2026 target production rate when more information becomes available.

Ivanhoe Mines will provide updated 2025 C1 cash cost (C1) per pound of payable copper in the second quarter of 2025 financial results.

On-site direct-to-blister smelter to start up in third quarter

Kamoa-Kakula's senior management has confirmed that the start-up of the on-site direct-to-blister copper smelter will commence in early September 2025, with first anode expected in October. The smelter can operate at a minimum operating capacity of 50%, or approximately 250,000 tonnes of copper on an annualized basis.

As at May 31, 2025, unsold concentrate stockpiles consisted of 33,000 tonnes of copper. In preparation for the first feed of concentrate, approximately four to six weeks after start-up commences, it is expected that total unsold concentrate stockpiles will be approximately 35,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate.

In addition, Kamoa-Kakula's senior management anticipates the commissioning of the 178-megawatt Turbine #5 at the Inga II hydroelectric dam in October 2025, further boosting domestically generated hydroelectricity supplied to the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex.

Ivanhoe Mines to host a conference call for investors on June 12, 2025

The company will hold an investor conference call to discuss the operational update at Kamoa-Kakula before the market opens on June 12, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time / 5:00 a.m. Pacific time. The conference call will conclude with a question-and-answer (Q&A) session. Media are invited to attend on a listen-only basis.

To view the webcast, use the link: https://meetings.400.lumiconnect.com/r/participant/live-meeting/400-534-841-259

Audience Phone Number:
(+1) 647 951 0841 (Toll, for international callers)
(+1) 888 985 7261 (Toll-Free North America)

An audio webcast recording of the conference call, together with supporting presentation slides, will be available on Ivanhoe Mines' website at www.ivanhoemines.com.

Disclosure of Technical Information

Disclosures of a scientific or technical nature in this news release, other than the preliminary geotechnical findings and the technical information in Figure 1, have been reviewed and approved by Steve Amos, who is considered, by virtue of his education, experience, and professional association, a Qualified Person under the terms of NI 43-101. Mr. Amos is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is Ivanhoe Mines' Executive Vice President, Projects. Mr. Amos has verified the technical data disclosed in this news release.

Disclosures of a scientific or technical nature regarding the preliminary geotechnical findings in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Koos Bosman, who is considered, by virtue of his education, experience, and professional association, a Qualified Person under the terms of NI 43-101. Mr. Bosman is considered independent of the company for purposes of NI 43-101 as he is Managing Director of Open House. Mr. Bosman has verified the technical data regarding the preliminary geotechnical findings disclosed in this news release.

Disclosures of a scientific or technical nature in Figure 1 of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Joshua Chitambala, who is considered, by virtue of his education, experience, and professional association, a Qualified Person under the terms of NI 43-101. Mr. Chitambala is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is the Resource Manager for Ivanhoe Mines. Mr. Chitambala has verified the other technical data regarding the surface stockpiles disclosed in this news release.

About Ivanhoe Mines

Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa; the expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC, the ramp-up of the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC; and the phased development of the tier-one Platreef platinum-palladium-nickel-rhodium-gold-copper Mine in South Africa.

Ivanhoe Mines is exploring for copper in its highly prospective, 54-100% owned exploration licences in the Western Forelands, covering an area over six times larger than the adjacent Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, including the high-grade discoveries in the Makoko District. Ivanhoe is also exploring for new sedimentary copper discoveries in new horizons including Angola, Kazakhstan, and Zambia.

Follow Robert Friedland (@robert_ivanhoe) and Ivanhoe Mines (@IvanhoeMines_) on X.

Information contact

Investors
Vancouver: Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034
London: Tommy Horton +44 7866 913 207

Media
Tanya Todd +1.604.331.9834

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified using words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this news release.

Such statements include, without limitation: (i) statements that development from existing underground infrastructure toward a new mining area in the eastern side of the Kakula is expected to commence imminently, and that this development will be isolated from the dewatering activities; (ii) statements that dewatering of the eastern side of the Kakula Mine is expected to commence by the end of August 2025 and be complete during the fourth quarter; (iii) statements that the processing rate of the concentrators will ramp up throughout the remainder of 2025, as mining on the western side of the Kakula Mine increases, supplemented by feed from ore stockpiles; (iv) statements that, with necessary copper concentrate expected to be available, the on-site copper smelter is expected to start up in the third quarter, with first anode expected in October; (v) statements that Kamoa-Kakula's mining crews aim to ramp up mining from the western side of the Kakula Mine to approximately 300,000 tonnes per month (3.6 million tonnes per year on an annualized basis) during the second half of 2025, subject to underground conditions; (vi) statements that for the remainder of 2025, Kakula's underground mining crews will focus on the following three activities: ramping up mining on the western side of the Kakula Mine, developing a new mining area on the eastern side of the Kakula Mine and ramping up production from the Kamoa mining area; (vii) statements that the new box cut at Kansoko will enable increased production from Kansoko, providing an additional source of ore for the Phase 1 and Phase 2 concentrators; (viii) statements that development of a new mining area on eastern side of the Kakula Mine will commence imminently; (ix) statements that development of the new mining area is expected to be conducted in a mix of ore and waste and be completed in the second quarter of 2026; (x) statements that following the completion of dewatering activities on the eastern side of Kakula, a physical geotechnical inspection of the mine's existing workings will be conducted, concluding the full assessment by the geotechnical experts; (xi) statements regarding additional pumps being ordered as part of the long-term pumping infrastructure plan and such pumps being deployed in pairs; (xii) statements that delivery, installation, and commissioning of the surface dewatering infrastructure is expected by mid-September; (xiii) statements regarding the impact of the preliminary assessment on the mine plan at Kakula, Kamoa and Kansoko; (xiii) production guidance for Kamoa Kakula for 2025; (xiv) statements that ore from the western side of Kakula is expected to deliver a head grade ranging between 3.0% and 4.0% copper; (xv) statements that the smelter's minimum operating capacity is 50%, or approximately 250,000 tonnes of copper on an annualized basis; (xvi) statements that Kamoa-Kakula's senior management anticipates the commissioning of the 178-megawatt Turbine #5 at the Inga II hydroelectric dam in September, further boosting domestically generated hydroelectricity to the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex; and (xv) statements regarding the locations where the "Stage Two" dewatering surface pumping infrastructure will be installed to dewater the eastern side of the Kakula Mine and that water will be discharged into existing surface water channels.

Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether such results will be achieved. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to: (i) uncertainty around the rate of water ingress into underground workings; (ii) the ability, and speed with which, additional equipment can be secured; (iii) the continuation of seismic activity; (iv) the state of underground infrastructure; (v) uncertainty around when future underground access can be secured; (vi) the fact that future mine stability cannot be guaranteed; (vii) the fact that future mining methods, may differ the impact on Kakula operations; and (viii) the ultimate conclusion of the assessment of the cause of the seismic activity at Kakula and the impact of same on the mining plan at the Kamoa Kakula Copper Complex. Additional factors also include those discussed above and under the "Risk Factors" section in the company's MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and its current annual information form, and elsewhere in this news release, as well as unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; changes in the rate of water ingress into underground workings; the continuation of seismic activity; the state of underground infrastructure; delays in securing underground access; changes to the mining methods required in the future; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release.

The company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors outlined in the "Risk Factors" section in the company's MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and its current annual information form.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/255292

FAQ

What caused the suspension of operations at IVPAF's Kakula Mine in May 2025?

Seismic activity was detected on May 18, 2025, causing water inflow and requiring evacuation of the mine. The seismic events originated from mature extraction areas, leading to stress redistribution on regional pillars.

When will Ivanhoe Mines' Kakula Mine be fully operational again?

While western operations resumed June 7, 2025, full operations will gradually restore throughout 2025. Eastern side dewatering starts August 2025, with completion expected in Q4 2025.

What is IVPAF's revised copper production guidance for 2025?

Kamoa-Kakula's revised 2025 production guidance is between 370,000 and 420,000 tonnes of copper.

How is Ivanhoe Mines addressing the water issues at Kakula Mine?

The company installed 4,400 liters per second of additional pumping capacity and ordered five high-capacity pumps rated at 650 liters per second each for permanent dewatering infrastructure.

When will Ivanhoe Mines' new copper smelter start operations?

The copper smelter is scheduled to start up in September 2025, with first anode production expected in October 2025.

What is the current operating capacity of Ivanhoe's Kakula concentrators?

Phase 1 and 2 concentrators are operating at 50% of combined capacity, while Phase 3 concentrator is exceeding design capacity by 30%, operating at 6.5 million tonnes per annum.
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd

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