Kamoa Copper SA has announced the temporal suspension of mining operations at its Kakula underground mine.
The quarry is located in the Kamoa-Kakula copper complex in Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Over the past week, seismic activity has been observed in the eastern part of the Kakula mine, leading Kamoa Copper management to suspend underground operations on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
All employees from the underground mine were safely brought to the surface in accordance with protocols, and mobile equipment has also been removed from the working area with no injuries reported.
Management and geotechnical specialists have been mobilized to conduct a thorough inspection of the Kakula underground mine, which is ongoing.
Seismic activity has decreased significantly over the past 24 hours with the western part of the Kakula mine declared safe for imminent resumption of mining operations.
With volcanic activities, including major eruptions being reported all over the world, the company seems to be taking no chances as far as safety is concerned. DR Congo is among the global hotspots for volcanoes.
The inspection will continue in the eastern section of the Kakula mine, where underground infrastructure, including pumping, could be affected.
As of April 30, 2025, Kamoa-Kakula’s surface stockpiles of high-and medium-grade ore totalled approximately 3.80 million tonnes, at an estimated average mixed grade of 3.2 percent copper.
Mining activities at the Kamoa underground mine and processing at the adjacent Phase Three concentrator were not affected.
Kamoa Copper’s Kamoa-Kakula mine is currently the world’s highest-grade and fastest-growing copper mining operations.
Kamoa-Kakula is a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining Group, located in the Central African Copper belt. The establishment is the world’s fastest-growing, highest-grade, and lowest-carbon emitting, major copper mine.
The mining company boasts average annual revenue of USD 3.11 billion as of 2024 records.