Khoemacau Copper Output Climbs As Expansion Advances

Khoemacau produced 11,423 tonnes of copper in copper concentrate during the second quarter of 2026, representing a 7 percent increase from the previous quarter and broadly matching production levels recorded during the same period in 2025. The figures are contained in the second quarter production report for the three months ended 30 June 2026 by MMG Limited, the parent company of Khoemacau. Ore milled volumes declined by 6 percent year-on-year, but the impact was largely offset by improved copper grades, which increased to 1.62 percent from 1.59 percent in the second quarter of 2025.

Metallurgical recovery remained stable at 88.2 percent, compared with 88.5 percent during the same period last year. “Higher grades were primarily attributable to the current mining sequence and access to higher-grade zones within the Zone 5 orebody as mining activities advanced,” the report stated. The company said access to higher-grade mining areas is expected to continue throughout the remainder of 2026.

Khoemacau recorded lower ore mined volumes compared with the same period last year, mainly due to previous development delays and reduced equipment availability during the quarter. The company said it continued to focus on development priorities while advancing the refurbishment of older equipment. New equipment units are expected to ease operational constraints and improve performance in the coming quarters.

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Silver production reached 370,877 ounces during the quarter, representing a 13 percent increase compared with the previous quarter, but a 6 percent decline year-on-year. MMG attributed the annual decline mainly to lower ore throughput. Khoemacau’s copper production guidance for 2026 remains unchanged at between 48,000 and 53,000 tonnes.

“Although first-half production was affected by development delays and equipment availability constraints, the operation is expected to benefit from improved equipment utilisation, the introduction of new mining equipment, continued access to higher-grade mining areas and the progressive commissioning of refurbished fleet units in the second half of the year,” the report said. The mine’s C1 costs for the first half of 2026 were US$1.25 per pound, below the previous full-year guidance range of US$2.00–2.30 per pound. The company attributed the lower costs primarily to higher-than-anticipated silver prices. Following first-half performance and current market conditions, Khoemacau revised its 2026 C1 cost guidance downward to US$1.70–2.00 per pound.

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