The Kamoa-Kakula complex at Ivanhoe Mines, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the world's main sources of copper and was on track to become the third largest supplier of this metal this year, which is essential for the energy transition. His condition remains uncertain, more than a week after seismic activity caused widespread flooding

Ivanhoe Mines' Kamoa-Kakula complex accounts for at least 70% of the complex's current output, according to a note from an analyst at Citigroup Inc. The water level rose after the Kakula underground mine's pumping and electrical infrastructure were damaged. Ivanhoe's Chinese partners, Zijin Mining Group Co. and CITIC Metal, are helping to acquire powerful pumps to remove this water. According to Citi, the flood could shut down Kakula's underground operation at least until the fourth quarter. According to the group, production can be increased at no significant cost once the water has been pumped

Ivanhoe said the cables and pipes needed to pump water from the mine were damaged and that it was working with experts to assess the causes and effects of seismic activity. The Kamoa-Kakula incident and its aftermath highlight the vulnerability of the world's reserves of copper,

Ivanhoe said in a statement on Monday that it was pumping 1,000 liters of water per second from the shallower western part of the underground mine, but that its team was working to increase that flow to over 3,000 liters to stabilize the levels. Ivanhoe also stated that underground and treatment operations at the Kamoa complex continue to operate normally and that Kakula's surface infrastructure is not affected