The Chibuluma deposits are SSC deposits located in the Zambian portion of the Central African Copperbelt. The Copperbelt forms one of the world’s largest metallogenic provinces containing over a third of the world’s cobalt mineral reserves and a tenth of the world’s copper mineral reserves.

The copper-cobalt deposits of the Central African Copperbelt are hosted within a strongly deformed, arcuate belt of rocks that extends from north eastern Angola through southern DRC and into Zambia, referred to as the Lufilian Arc.

Mineralisation in both Zambia and the DRC is largely restricted to the Lower Roan or Mines Group, although vein style mineralisation is locally important higher in the succession (e.g. Kansanshi, Kipushi, Dikulushi). Mineralisation in the Zambian deposits is dominantly sulphide, comprising chalcopyrite, bornite and chalcocite, variably accompanied by pyrite and pyrrhotite, carollite, covellite and diginite. Ore grades are commonly around 3% to 4% Cu and 0.1% to 0.2% Co.

Mineralisation in the Chibuluma South orebody is predominantly Cu with very minor Co and is hosted in detrital conglomerates, sandstones and argillaceous siltstones of the Lower Roan Group. The orebody is hosted by a competent quartzite horizon overlain by a sequence of argillites and dolomites of the Upper Roan Group. Mineralisation is hosted in a mineralised quartzite known locally as the Orebody Quartzite (“OBQ”) with the unmineralised quartzite below the OB ........

Chibuluma Mines Plc operates the Chibuluma South and Chifupu ore bodies.

As Chibuluma South Mine underground operation reached the end of life, underground mine underground operation operations ceased in August 2019 and the Group commenced crown pillar open cast mining.

Chifupu Mine ore reserves will be depleted by F2024 at a consistent decline monthly development rate of 90m. The mining method employed is Long Hole Stoping with fill. Access to underground is through a portal.

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The mine uses return water and water from underground dewatering in the plant, with make-up water pumped from surface and underground water sources when required. It must be noted that more than 90% of the water used in the Chibuluma plant is recycled from the tailings dam.