{{Short description|Mine in Democratic Republic of the Congo}} {{Infobox mine | name = Kipushi Mine | native_name = ''Mine de Kipushi'' | image = | width = | caption = | pushpin_map = Democratic Republic of the Congo | pushpin_label_position = top | pushpin_label = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = {{coord|11|46|02|S|27|14|13|E|type:landmark_region:CD|display=title,inline}} | place = | subdivision_type = Province | state/province = Haut-Katanga Province | country = Democratic Republic of the Congo | owner = Ivanhoe Mines (68%)<br />Gécamines (32%) | official website = {{URL|https://ivanhoemines.com/projects/kipushi-project/}} | acquisition year = | stock_exchange = | stock_code = | products = Zinc<br />Copper<br />Silver<br />Germanium | financial year = | amount = | opening year = | active years = 1924-1993 | closing year = }} thumb|mineral sample
'''Kipushi Mine''' (formerly '''Prince Léopold Mine''', French: ''Mine Prince Léopold'') is an underground mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, near the town of Kipushi in Haut-Katanga Province.<ref name="infomine">{{cite web|url=http://www.infomine.com/index/properties/KIPUSHI_MINE_PROJECT.html|title=Kipushi Mine Project|publisher=Infomine|access-date=2009-05-06}}</ref>
Copper mining has occurred at Kipushi since prehistory. Based on radiocarbon dating, one study concluded there was mining activity at Kipushi in the 9th century. Production increased significantly in the 14th century, but it is unclear who was exploiting the mine at this time. Due to the unique geology of Kipushi, copper produced at the mine is chemically distinct from copper sourced from the surrounding areas of the copperbelt.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Stephens | first1=Jay | last2=Killick | first2=David | last3=Chirikure | first3=Shadreck | title=Reconstructing the geological provenance and long-distance movement of rectangular, fishtail, and croisette copper ingots in Iron Age Zambia and Zimbabwe | journal=PLOS ONE | publisher=Public Library of Science (PLoS) | volume=18 | issue=3 | date=2023-03-22 | issn=1932-6203 | doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0282660 | article-number=e0282660|doi-access=free| pmid=36947492 | pmc=10032518 | bibcode=2023PLoSO..1882660S }}</ref>
It was an active producing mine between 1925 and 1993, as of 2006 there was an estimated 16.9 million tons of ore in the measured and indicated categories, with a grade averaging of 16.7% zinc and 2.2% copper.<ref name="mx">{{cite news|url=http://www.miningmx.com/mining_fin/165322.htm|title=Glimmer of hope for Kumba's Kipushi|last=McKay|first=David|date=13 Sep 2006|publisher=Mining MX|access-date=2009-05-06|archive-date=2012-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223005123/http://www.miningmx.com/mining_fin/165322.htm}}</ref>
Since 2011, the Kipushi Mine is now majority owned by Ivanplats.<ref name="Ventures">{{cite news|url=http://www.ventures-africa.com/2012/09/as-mining-billionaire-friedlands-ivanplats-debuts-on-the-tse-will-investors-go-for-the-drc/|title=As Billionaire Robert Friedland's Ivanplats Debuts In Toronto, Will Investors Go For The DRC?|last=Mulligan|first=Gabriella|date=13 Sep 2012|publisher=Ventures Africa|archive-date=2 December 2013|access-date=7 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202233539/http://www.ventures-africa.com/2012/09/as-mining-billionaire-friedlands-ivanplats-debuts-on-the-tse-will-investors-go-for-the-drc/}}</ref> A feasibility study was conducted in 2022, which found 11.78 million tonnes of Zinc at an ore grade of 35.34%.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Johnson | first1=Olivia | last2=Fish-Robertson | first2=Ashley | last3=St-Pierre | first3=Sarah | title=Ivanhoe Mines announces rebirth of Kipushi mine | website=magazine.cim.org | date=2022-02-14 | url=https://magazine.cim.org/en/news/2022/ivanhoe-mines-announces-rebirth-of-kipushi-mine-en/ | access-date=2022-09-18}}</ref> In September 2022, construction started to re-open the mine, with production planned to start in late 2024.<ref>{{cite web | last=Webb | first=Mariaan | title=Ivanhoe and Gecamines kick off construction at historic Kipushi zinc mine | website=Mining Weekly | date=2022-09-13 | url=https://www.miningweekly.com/article/ivanhoe-and-gecamines-kick-off-construction-at-historic-kipushi-zinc-mine--2022-09-13/rep_id:3650 | access-date=2022-09-18}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category inline}}
Category:Copper mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Category:Lead mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Category:Zinc mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Category:Mining in Haut-Katanga Province Category:Underground mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Category:1925 establishments in the Belgian Congo Category:Non-renewable resource companies established in 1925
{{Mine-stub}} {{HautKatanga-geo-stub}}