DRC Zinc: Kipushi Mine and Africa's Emerging Battery Metals Story
Ivanhoe Mines's Kipushi project produced first zinc concentrate in 2024 from a deposit grading 35 percent zinc equivalent. It is the highest-grade zinc mine anywhere in the world entering production this decade.
Africa contributes only about 8 percent of global zinc production despite hosting substantial deposits in the DRC, Zambia, Namibia, and South Africa. Ivanhoe Mines's Kipushi zinc project in the DRC produced first concentrate in 2024 following a $300 million development investment. Kipushi grades at approximately 35 percent zinc equivalent, compared to the global average of 5 to 8 percent for zinc deposits, making it extraordinarily high-grade and low-cost. At full production, Kipushi will produce approximately 280,000 tonnes of zinc in concentrate annually, positioning DRC as a significant zinc exporter for the first time.
Battery Context
Zinc-based batteries are gaining commercial attention as stationary energy storage solutions, potentially opening a new demand channel complementing the traditional galvanising steel market. Namibia's Rosh Pinah mine operated by Trevali has also expanded capacity targeting 100,000 tonnes of zinc concentrate annually with lead and silver by-products. Mining companies and commodity investors can access African mineral sector data and investment contacts on intra-africa.com.
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