The underground Kakula mine is the first of multiple, near-surface copper deposits that are planned to be put into production on the 400 km2 Kamoa-Kakula mining licence in DRC. In its latest project update, Ivanhoe Mines (39.6%, remaining held by Zijin Mining Group also 39.6%, Crystal River Global Ltd 0.8% & the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo 20%) reports that construction of Kakula’s initial, 3.8 Mt/y concentrator plant is progressing well, with approximately 20,000 cubic metres of concrete being poured to date. Concrete bases for the CITIC HIC ball mills, flotation plant with Metso Outotec cells and the concentrate thickener have been partially handed over to the mechanical contractor to commence installation work, and mechanical erection and installation is underway in most of the plant areas.
Structural steel fabrication is complete with more than half of the approximately 6,000 t of structural steel already delivered to site. Fabrication of platework and piping is progressing according to schedule with the first deliveries already on site; platework installation has started. Total steel prefabricated or installed is approximately 2,000 t. All floor and sidewall plates for the concentrate thickener now are in position, and welding is 40% complete.
Installation of the tailings thickener has commenced, with the centre column being placed in position and welding of the floor plates underway. Pre-assembly of the high-pressure grinding rolls feed bin #1 conveyor has started. Both Sandvik CS660 high capacity secondary cone crushers have been assembled and placed in position. Installation of the first CITIC HIC ball mill shell has been completed. All 21 oversized truck loads of equipment for the processing plant’s primary ball mill − measuring 9.75 m long and 6.1 m in diameter – have arrived on site. The final shipments of the ball mill components are scheduled to arrive at site this month, which will be the final deliveries of long-lead plant equipment.
Beijing-based CITIC Construction is building Kakula’s first-phase, backfill paste plant. The backfill plant will be used to blend tailings from the processing plant with cement to produce paste backfill. The backfill will be pumped back into the mine and used to help support mined-out areas. Approximately 55% of the mine’s tailings will be sent back underground, significantly reducing the surface tailings storage. Construction of the tailings dam has commenced and is progressing well; with the aim to complete most of the earthworks before the rainy season starts in November.
International Mining Team Publishing Ltd 2 Claridge Court, Lower Kings Road Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire England HP4 2AF, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1442 870 829 Fax: +44 (0) 1442 870 617 Email: [email protected] or [email protected]