Kipushi produces record 42,736 tonnes of zinc during Q1
In Q1 2025, the Kipushi concentrator milled a record 151,403 tonnes of ore at a record average grade of 32.5% zinc, producing a record 42,736 tonnes of zinc in concentrate at a contained grade of over 53% zinc.
Other production records during the quarter included 3,827 tonnes of zinc produced over one week and 743 tonnes of zinc over 24 hours, equivalent to an annualized rate of approximately 200,000 tonnes per annum and 270,000 tonnes per annum, respectively.
The ramp-up of the Kipushi concentrator is expected to continue into the second quarter, as annualized production rates approach its 2025 guidance range of 180,000 to 240,000 tonnes of zinc in concentrate. In addition, since the start of 2025, concentrator recoveries have averaged approximately 88% and the concentrate grade is approximately 53% contained zinc. A ramp-up to the nameplate milling rate of 2,000 tonnes per day was achieved in late February. Further improvements in production rates and concentrator recoveries are expected over the coming months.
The Kipushi Mine is maintaining its annual production guidance of 180,000 to 240,000 tonnes of zinc. Kipushi is targeting to increase its production rate to over 250,000 tonnes of zinc in concentrate per annum, following the completion of the debottlenecking program that is on schedule for completion in late Q3 2025.
