Bankable, an online outlet covering economic news in the Democratic Republic of Congo, will publish an exclusive interview Friday, Feb. 27 with Olivier Binyingo, chairman of Kamoa Copper, the joint venture operating the Kamoa-Kakula copper complex, the country’s largest.

Although China’s Zijin Mining holds a 39.6% stake in the company, Binyingo expressed confidence in the strategic partnership between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States, which aims to encourage American investment in the Congolese mining sector.

“Wherever you stand, the need for critical minerals will remain. If we are to meet the goals set by the global community, this trend is irreversible,” he said. “The need for copper and critical minerals transcends geopolitical divides.”

Binyingo, who also serves as Ivanhoe Mines' Vice President Public Affairs DRC, gave an upbeat outlook for copper prices.

“We are heading toward a structural copper shortage. The upward price trend should continue and accelerate,” he said.

The interview also addresses the impact of two major events that affected the Kamoa-Kakula project in 2025: a seismic incident and the commissioning of a new smelter.

In May 2025, Kamoa Copper reported underground seismic activity at the Kakula mine, prompting operational adjustments. The company later announced the resumption of underground mining in the western section of Kakula on June 7, 2025, while revising its 2025 production guidance to between 370,000 and 420,000 tonnes of copper.

Later in the year, the company commissioned a new smelter with a nominal capacity of 500,000 tonnes of concentrate per year.

The Kamoa-Kakula mining complex is 39.6% owned by Ivanhoe Mines, 39.6% by Zijin Mining, 20% by the Congolese state and 0.8% by Crystal River Global Limited.

Pierre Mukoko