Africa-Press – Angola. Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) will ensure the transport of the first sale of low-carbon copper anodes produced at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in a commercial operation carried out by Trafigura and destined for the Aurubis Group in Europe.
According to a press release accessed by ANGOP on Thursday (19), the cargo was initially delivered to Trafigura’s dry port terminal in Kolwezi and will continue by rail, through the Lobito Corridor, to the Port of Lobito in Angola, reducing the land transport time to approximately 7 days.
The copper anodes were produced in the new foundry of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, considered one of the most advanced in the world, using direct-to-blister techs.
The complex also positions the project as the largest copper mine with the lowest carbon emissions worldwide.
Kamoa Copper operates the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex as a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining.
Trafigura is one of three buyers of the anodes produced by the smelter. When it reaches full capacity, the infrastructure will be able to produce up to 50,000 tons per year of this product, with a purity of 99.7%.
Regarding this operation, Gonzalo de Olazaval, global head of Metals, Minerals and Bulk Commodities at Trafigura, stated that bringing together companies such as Aurubis, Kamoa Copper and Lobito Atlantic Railway demonstrates what can be achieved when the entire mining value chain works in an integrated way.
Robert Friedland, founder and co-CEO of Ivanhoe Mines, stated that the first shipment of copper anodes with 99.7% purity represents another milestone for Kamoa-Kakula and for the development of African infrastructure.
In 2025, the Lobito Atlantic Railway transported over 200,000 tons of cargo to and from the Port of Lobito. In January 2026 alone, 30,000 tons were transported, with the Port of Lobito receiving a bulk sulfur ship with a volume of 50,000 tons.
Trafigura is a leading commodities group, founded over 30 years ago, in the center of the world’s supply chain, connecting vital resources to feed and build the world.
Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) is an Angolan railway operator with an independent and experienced management team.
