Modern Mining September 2021

COPPER

platework and mechanical equipment were continu- ing daily with over 408 truckloads already delivered to site and another 75 en-route. Manufacturing of all long-lead items of equipment was nearing comple- tion with several items already delivered to site. “The final major contract for electrical, control and instrumentation (EC&I) supply and installation, has been awarded. The Phase 2 concentrator remains on track for completion in Q3 2022,” says Farren. Underground development Meanwhile, Farren tells Modern Mining that under- ground development at the Kakula and the Kansoko Mines is well ahead of schedule, which has allowed the project to build up a large surface stockpile of high-and medium-grade ore, giving the project a large degree of flexibility in the commissioning and ramp up of the Phase 2 concentrator and the poten- tial strategic stockpiling for the Phase 3 expansion. The underground mining crews at Kamoa achieved a new record for metres of advancement in July, with 3 876 m breaking the previous record of 3 625 m achieved in April. The progress made in July brought the total underground development to almost 52,8 km, which was more than 18,1 km ahead of schedule. Copper market Kamoa Copper is projected to be the world’s high- est-grade major copper mine, with an initial mining rate of 3,8 Mtpa at an estimated average feed grade

been delivered to site. Construction is now focused on structural steel, platework and mechanical erec- tion and installation (SMPP) with earthworks and civil works essentially complete. “Civil handover to the SMPP contractor has been achieved in all areas and the current focus is on the erection of structural steel. Both civil works and structural steel erection are tracking slightly ahead of schedule,” explains Farren. At the time of writing, deliveries of structural steel,

Bags of Kamoa-Kakula high-grade, clean copper concentrate ready for export to international markets.

Kamoa Copper crew members and contractors celebrating the commissioning of ball mills.

16  MODERN MINING  September 2021