Ivanhoe sets new monthly zinc record at Congo mine
Ivanhoe Mines has set a new monthly zinc production record at its Kipushi mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo, achieving a standout month that pushes year-to-date output to an estimated 110,000 tonnes. The milestone underscores the mine's ramp-up success and its growing importance as a high-grade zinc producer, which matters for global zinc supply chains amid tightening markets and rising demand for galvanizing and battery components.
Ivanhoe Mines, the Canadian mining heavyweight with deep African operations, has announced a new monthly zinc production record at its Kipushi mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The achievement, which underscores the mine’s accelerating ramp-up, brings year-to-date zinc output to an estimated 110,000 tonnes. This milestone not only highlights Ivanhoe’s operational excellence but also positions Kipushi as a critical player in the global zinc market, where supply constraints and growing demand from infrastructure and battery sectors are reshaping the commodity landscape.
Kipushi, one of the world’s highest-grade zinc mines, entered commercial production in late 2024 after a multi-year redevelopment led by Ivanhoe in partnership with the DRC government. The mine’s head grade consistently exceeds 30% zinc, far above the global average of around 5-7%, making it exceptionally cost-efficient and environmentally attractive due to lower ore processing volumes per tonne of metal produced. The new monthly record, achieved in February 2025, reflects improved throughput in the concentrator plant and optimized underground mining techniques.
The 110,000 tonnes year-to-date figure puts Kipushi on track for annual production well above initial guidance, which was set at 180,000-200,000 tonnes for full-year 2025. This outperformance has not gone unnoticed by the market, as zinc prices have been volatile in recent months due to a mix of smelter closures in Europe, reduced output from major mines in Australia and South America, and steady demand from the construction and automotive sectors. Ivanhoe’s rising production is helping to tighten the otherwise comfortable global concentrate market.
From an industry perspective, Kipushi’s growth is significant for several reasons. First, it adds much-needed high-grade supply at a time when the zinc market is facing a structural deficit. The International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) projects a global zinc shortfall of over 150,000 tonnes in 2025, driven by aging mine replacements and decarbonization pressures on smelters. Second, Kipushi is a testament to the DRC’s potential beyond copper and cobalt, offering a diversified critical minerals story that aligns with Western efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese processing hubs.
Moreover, zinc is increasingly recognized as a battery metal, used in zinc-air and zinc-ion storage solutions, as well as in galvanizing for renewable energy infrastructure like solar panel racks and wind turbine towers. Ivanhoe’s record reinforces the broader trend of mining companies ramping up production for metals that underpin green energy transitions. The company’s CEO, Marna Cloete, emphasized in a recent statement that Kipushi is a ‘world-class asset with decades of resource life,’ and that operational stability is already exceeding expectations.
Looking ahead, Ivanhoe is also exploring additional resource expansion at Kipushi, including potential by-products like germanium and indium, which are used in semiconductors and fiber optics. This diversification could further elevate the mine’s strategic importance. For investors and industry watchers, Ivanhoe’s monthly record is a clear signal that the Kipushi operation has moved beyond the startup phase into a consistent, high-volume producer capable of influencing global zinc balances. As the year progresses, all eyes will be on whether Ivanhoe can sustain this momentum and meet its upgraded annual targets, especially given ongoing logistical challenges in the DRC and power supply constraints in the region.
In summary, Ivanhoe Mines’ new monthly zinc record at Kipushi is a milestone that matters for the entire zinc market. It demonstrates that high-grade African assets can deliver scale and efficiency, while also supporting the critical minerals narrative that is driving investment and policy decisions worldwide. For a metal often overshadowed by copper and lithium, zinc’s quiet renaissance—led by projects like Kipushi—deserves attention.