Kipushi Mine on track to become the world’s fourth-largest zinc producer in 2026
Record May production and strong year-to-date performance position the DRC operation to meet its 2026 guidance of up to 290,000 tonnes of zinc
The Kipushi Mine, located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is maintaining a strong operational performance and is on track to potentially become the world’s fourth-largest zinc producer by 2026.
Ivanhoe Mines, the mine operator, reported a record monthly production of 25,677 tonnes of zinc in concentrate for May, marking the highest output since the operation resumed production. This achievement was fueled by record milling rates and impressive plant recovery levels.
According to Executive Co-Chairman Robert Friedland and President and Chief Executive Officer Marna Cloete, the mine’s concentrators processed a record 72,003 tonnes of ore during the month. The plant achieved an average zinc recovery rate of 93%, while feed grades averaged 36.2% zinc.
The May production figure surpassed the previous monthly record of 22,968 tonnes, set in January 2026, by 12%.
Year-to-date zinc production has reached approximately 110,000 tonnes, placing the operation on track to achieve the midpoint of its 2026 production guidance range of between 240,000 and 290,000 tonnes of zinc.
“Year-to-date zinc production totals approximately 110,000 tonnes of zinc. Annualised, this is equivalent to approximately the mid-point of the 2026 production guidance range of 240,000 to 290,000 tonnes of zinc,” Ivanhoe Mines said in a statement.
Mining activities also remained robust throughout May, with 85,811 tonnes of ore mined and hoisted to the surface. By month-end, the operation had accumulated approximately 12,000 tonnes of high-grade run-of-mine ore stockpiled on surface at an average grade of about 37% zinc.
In addition, lower-grade stockpiles totalled approximately 254,000 tonnes of ore, grading an average of 22% zinc, providing the operation with a substantial inventory to support future production.
The latest performance highlights the growing significance of Kipushi in the global zinc market as the mine ramps up towards steady-state production. With output continuing to trend higher, the operation is strengthening its position among the world’s leading zinc producers.
