Nkana
The predominant mega-structure of the mining area is the northwest-plunging Nkana syncline. This structure is asymmetric, with a curved axial plane inclined steeply to the northwest in the trough of the syncline but upright to westward dipping at higher structural levels. A complex occupies the axial zone of the syncline but this folding dies out on its flanks. As a result of the north-westerly plunge of the Nkana syncline, the present land surface represents a horizontal section through progressively higher structural levels of the syncline from southeast to northwest.

Within the Nkana mining area there are four underground mines and a series of open pits. The open pits are under care and maintenance and have therefore been excluded from Ore Reserves and included under Mineral Resources. All are situated on the north-eastern limb of the Nkana Syncline area. Other cupriferous zones are present in the nose and southwest limb of the syncline. The orebodies are stratiform and are mainly confined to a recognisable ore formation, which occurs near the base of the Katangan sequence within the Lower Roan Group of the Mine Series. In the underground workings, the principal copper ore minerals are chalcopyrite and bornite with subordinate chalcocite. There is a zoning in the geographical distribution of these minerals. Cobalt occurs as carrollite and cobaltiferious pyrite. The principal ore minerals are malachite, pseudomalchite, chrysocolla, native copper, cup ........

Mopani Copper Mines PLC has since 2014 sunk and equipped three (3) brand new shafts to replace the old infrastructure at both Nkana and Mufulira mine sites, which dates back to the 1930s. The three new shafts are Syclinorium and Mindola Deeps Shafts at Nkana Mine in Kitwe and The Henderson Shaft at Mufulira Mine site. Mopani has also built a brand new Concentrator at Nkana mine site, The New Syclinorium Concentrator.

The new infrastructure is expected to extend the life of the mine by over 25 years and improve production efficiencies.

NKANA MINE
The Nkana Mine produces copper and cobalt ore from four sources: North Shaft, Mindola Sub Vertical, Central Shaft and South Ore Body (“SOB”).

Synclinorium shaft
Synclinorium shaft project at a current cost of US$ 323m is one of 3 new shafts MCM sunk to replace existing shafts with efficient world-class shafts to:
- access ore reserves at deeper depth;
- increase hoist production capacity;
- reduce the cost of production.

Shaft sinking commenced in September 2011 and was completed in September 2014.

Main shaft and Headgear were equipped from 2014 and shaft was officially commissioned on May 5, 2016.

Synclinorium has ore and waste hoisting capacity of 4 million tonnes per annum expected to be achieved once fully operational and will extend the life of the Nkana South mine by a further 25-30 years

Underground infrastructure still underg ........

- subscription is required.

- subscription is required.