Ivanhoe Mines (IVN) Mining Forum Americas 2026 summary

Infrastructure and operational achievements

• New rail and port infrastructure in central Africa enables rapid, low-cost copper production, with phase one mine investment recovered in 10 months and over 100% IRR.

• Three concentrators with 17 million tons/year capacity and a refurbished hydroelectric dam provide 178 MW of power.

• The world's largest solar field at a mine is operational, with plans to expand from 60 MW to 180 MW, supported by battery storage for 24/7 power.

• Solar power costs $0.12–$0.13/kWh, significantly undercutting diesel at $0.40/kWh, and serves as backup to hydroelectricity.

• The mine is among the greenest globally, with minimal greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy, positioning its copper as a premium product.

Critical minerals, supply chains, and geopolitical context

• Demand for critical minerals like scandium, gallium, and others is surging due to their essential roles in renewables, electronics, and military technology.

• China dominates supply of many critical minerals, with recent export restrictions requiring foreign buyers to submit blueprints to the Chinese Military Commission.

• The U.S. is 100% dependent on China for several key minerals, creating strategic vulnerabilities and prompting urgent efforts to diversify supply.

• Recent U.S.-China negotiations resulted in only a 60-day extension before potential Chinese export cuts on critical metals.

• Scandium prices have surged 50x in two years, reflecting its strategic importance in advanced manufacturing and defense.

Technological innovation and mining transformation

• Pulsed power technology (I-Pulse, I-ROX) enables rock fracturing from the inside, reducing energy use by up to 80% and increasing metal recovery by up to 5%.

• These innovations eliminate traditional SAG and ball mills, lowering costs and carbon footprint.

• The technology is backed by major mining companies and is expected to revolutionize mining efficiency and sustainability.

• Plans are underway to apply similar disruptive technology to geothermal energy, aiming to tap Earth's heat for clean, abundant power.

• The U.S. government and international partners are funding these innovations, recognizing their strategic importance.