Record 70,177 Tonnes Lift Congo’s Kipushi Into Zinc’s Top Three
Kipushi produced a record 70,177 tonnes of zinc in the second quarter as prices reached their highest level since 2022, lifting a metal the DR Congo rarely gets credit for. The post Record 70,177 Tonnes Lift Congo’s Kipushi Into Zinc’s Top Three appeared first on The Rio Times .
In the second quarter of 2026, Kipushi mine in Congo produced a record 70,177 tonnes of zinc, marking an 8% increase from the previous quarter. This output places the mine among the world's top three zinc producers, following guidance levels of 240,000 to 290,000 tonnes annually. Ivanhoe Mines, the majority shareholder with 62%, reported the production, which is backed by a full-year guidance of 240,000 to 290,000 tonnes.
The mine's reopening in 2024 following decades of closure has contributed to its growing output, as it processes ore more efficiently using upgraded machinery. Zinc prices surged to near US$3,824 per tonne on the London Metal Exchange in August 2026, the highest since 2022, driven by limited supply due to disruptions at Glencore's Kazzinc smelter in Kazakhstan and Nexa's Cajamarquilla smelter in Peru.
Kipushi's production is sold as concentrate to major buyers like CITIC Metal, Trafigura, and Mercuria, with primary processing in China. The mine's strategic significance extends beyond zinc, as it also contains germanium, a critical component in semiconductors and night-vision equipment. The Congolese government owns 38% of the mine through Gécamines, with Ivanhoe Mines holding the majority.
As the world's zinc production ramps up, Kipushi's output could significantly impact global zinc prices, particularly as competitors in Latin America adjust their strategies in response to the mine's success.
Written by urgent.news from The Rio Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
