Epiroc expects deliveries of circa-US$17 million of non-battery electric underground mining equipment to Chinese contractor JCHX Mining and Construction to start soon for the $380 million Kipushi zinc-copper mine redevelopment in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Swedish manufacturer said JCHX ordered several Epiroc loaders, mine trucks and drill rigs for Kipushi, where production is slated to restart in 2024 after a 30-year hiatus.
The project in DRC’s Haut-Katanga province is owned by Ivanhoe Mines, the operator, and DRC state-backed Gecamines.
Epiroc said the mine would be powered via DRC’s “clean, renewable hydro-generated electricity” grid. Its equipment deliveries will continue into early 2024.
Ivanhoe earlier this year announced $3.78 billion of 2023-2024 capital spend on its Kamoa-Kakula copper project expansion in DRC, Kipushi, and the Platreef platinum group metals mine in South Africa.
