The Kipushi Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo has achieved its highest monthly zinc production on record, reinforcing its emergence as one of the world’s most significant zinc operations at a time when global demand for galvanizing metals continues to strengthen.
Mine operator Ivanhoe Mines reported that Kipushi produced a record 25,677 tonnes of zinc in concentrate during May 2026, surpassing the previous monthly record of 22,968 tonnes established earlier this year. The latest performance represents a 12% increase over the prior record and places the operation on track to become one of the world’s largest zinc mines.
The production milestone was supported by record concentrator throughput of 72,003 tonnes of ore during the month, with average zinc recovery reaching 93% and plant feed grades averaging an exceptional 36.2% zinc. Such grades are significantly higher than those typically encountered at most global zinc mining operations and remain one of Kipushi’s key competitive advantages.
According to Ivanhoe Mines, year-to-date production has already reached approximately 110,000 tonnes of zinc, keeping the operation firmly on track to achieve its 2026 production guidance of 240,000 to 290,000 tonnes. Based on May’s performance, the mine is currently operating at an annualized production rate of approximately 308,000 tonnes of zinc.
Industry analysts believe the achievement further strengthens Kipushi’s position among the world’s leading zinc assets.
Located in the Democratic Republic of Congo and operated through a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines and Gécamines, Kipushi is widely recognized as the highest-grade major zinc mine globally. The mine returned to production in 2024 following a major redevelopment program and has steadily increased output through a series of operational improvements and debottlenecking initiatives.
The timing is particularly significant for the zinc market.
Zinc prices have been supported by tightening supply conditions, declining ore grades at several mature mines, and growing demand from infrastructure, construction, renewable energy, and steel galvanizing applications. Zinc remains a critical material for corrosion protection, with more than half of global consumption linked to galvanized steel products used in buildings, transportation, utilities, and industrial infrastructure.
For the PVC industry, zinc is also an important raw material. Zinc oxide serves as a key component in various specialty chemical applications, including certain PVC stabilizer systems, rubber compounds, ceramics, coatings, and flame-retardant technologies. Sustained growth in zinc production can therefore have broader implications across multiple industrial value chains.
The latest production figures also underscore the growing importance of African mining assets in global metals supply. As demand rises for critical industrial minerals, large-scale projects in resource-rich regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo are increasingly shaping international supply dynamics.
With production continuing to ramp up and throughput records being broken, Kipushi appears well positioned to strengthen its standing among the world’s premier zinc operations. If current production trends continue, the mine could soon rank among the four largest zinc-producing assets globally, further elevating its strategic importance within the international metals market.