The 24-year nationalisation period (1973-1997), during which Zambia’s mining industry was in government hands, has left a noteworthy legacy – a reservoir of high-level mining skills that has served the country well.
One of the crowning achievements of that era...
Mining and aviation are worlds apart, yet they share a common feature – both are highly dangerous, and need skilled professionals who know how to handle life-threatening situations.
Airline pilots spend hundreds of hours training on simulators, learning to handle...
Copper mining can produce lucrative by-products. The most common one in Zambia is cobalt, which sells for five times more than copper on world markets.
But the ultimate by-product for any copper mine is gold, and FQM’s Kansanshi mine in Solwezi...
Barrick Lumwana is a massive open-pit mine, about 100 km from Solwezi. The mineral deposit is very large, but relatively low-grade – the ore contains just 0.58% copper.
Because of this, Barrick Lumwana has to dig up a lot more material...
A low metal-price environment such as the current one understandably leads mining companies to be cautious, cut spending and rein in expansion; however, that very behaviour means they run the risk of not being ready when the upswing comes.
Being...
Four big mines dominate Zambia’s copper production, complemented by several smaller players who also play an important role. All the mines are backed by a wide range of respected international investors.
The Zambian government, through its investment-holding company ZCCM-IH, is...
The CEO of Glencore’s Mopani copper mine in Kitwe, Johan Jansen, uses football to explain where the company is in the worldwide league of costs.
"Like a sports team, Mopani is near the bottom of the league, and needs to improve...
Where in the world are you likely to undergo more breathalyser tests within the space of a few days than you’re likely to encounter in your entire lifetime?
Answer: at any of Zambia’s major copper mines. For safety reasons, they...
One of the newest and most advanced copper smelters in the world is not in China or Canada or the United States, but right here in Zambia. This $900 million marvel of technology, which started operating in early 2015,...
Have you ever wondered how mining communities far from the national grid get their electricity? The answer is they benefit from the electrical infrastructure of the mine itself.
Watch the video below:
