The Ivanhoe Mines has reported a fatal accident at its Kamoa-Kakula copper project in Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to the mining company, the accident occurred underground at the Kakula mine when a contractor’s employee was hit in the leg by a loose rock while working at one of the working faces, causing him to fall backwards and strike his head on a rock.
“Unfortunately, despite immediate first-aid assistance by his colleagues, he passed away at the accident scene. As well as investigating the accident internally, the Kamoa-Kakula senior management team and the contractor’s management team are working with the DRC authorities to facilitate their investigation of the accident,” said Ivanhoe.
Kamoa-Kakula mine project
The Kamoa-Kakula mine project, a joint venture with China’s Zijin Mining, started producing on May 26, several months ahead of schedule. Kamoa-Kakula is owned by Ivanhoe (39.6%), Zijin Mining Group (39.6%), Crystal River Global Limited (0.8%) and the Congolese government (20%
Ivanhoe Mines announced the start of copper concentrate production at the Phase 1, 3.8 Mt/y last week. First ore was introduced into the concentrator plant on May 20 to perform initial hot commissioning tests on the ball mills and other processing equipment. As of May 25, 5-6% Cu ore was being conveyed directly from Kakula’s underground mining operations to the run-of-mine stockpile and the concentrator.
