Ivanhoe Mines Reaches Agreement to Rebuild a Railway Spur Line to Support a New Era of Operation at the Kipushi zinc-copper Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Ivanhoe Mines (TSX:IVN) (OTCQX:IVPAF) Executive Chairman Robert Friedland and Chief Executive Officer Lars-Eric Johansson announced today that the company has agreed to rebuild 34 kilometres of track to connect the Kipushi Mine with the DRC national railway at Munama, south of the mining capital of Lubumbashi.
As quoted in the press release:

“A daily train from Kipushi will replace the equivalent of 50 road trucks, resulting in significant safety and environmental benefits to the DRC, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, reduced road and border congestion and decreased air pollution,” Mr. Friedland added.
“The reactivated spur line also will provide significant economic and social benefits to residents of Kipushi and the southern DRC provinces of Haut-Katangaand Lualaba, allowing for efficient transportation of supplies to and from the area.
“Given Kipushi’s incredible zinc grades of approximately 35% and current zinc prices of between US$1.40 and $1.50 a pound, we’re confident that Kipushi is on track to become the world’s highest-grade, major zinc mine. Discussions are ongoing with our partner, Gécamines, and prospective project financiers to fast-track completion of the remaining infrastructure development at the mine.”

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