Name and Location
Mopani synclinorium shaft project, Kitwe, Zambia.

Client
Mopani Copper Mines (MCM), which is owned by Carlisa Investments Corporation, a joint venture registered in Zambia comprising GlencoreXsrata (73.1%), First Quantum Minerals (16.9%) and ZCCM Investment Holdings (10%).

Project Description
The Mopani synclinorium shaft project will establish a hoisting and ventilation facility to extract copper ore from the Nkana orebody, which forms part of the MCM complex, in Kitwe.

The project includes the construction of a 7-m-diameter main shaft and a 6-m-diameter ventilation shaft to depths of 1 277 m and 1 167 m respectively.

The new shaft will allow for ore production at the Nkana mines to be maintained above four-million tonnes a year by 2017 and increase the life-of-mine by 25 years.

The new shaft will provide Mopani with access to about 115-million tonnes of ore at a grade of 1.9% copper and 0.09% cobalt.

Value
Not stated.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Mining contractor and engineering firm Redpath Mining Africa will begin drilling at Mopani Copper Mines’ synclinorium shaft project, in Kitwe, Zambia, at the end of this month.

The Redbore 100 raise drill will be used to drill the vertical shaft, which will reach a total depth of 1 167 m, in two phases.

The Redbore drill will be used to drill a small-diameter pilot hole. Once the drill reaches the required depth, the bit will be removed and replaced with a cutting tool, called a reamer. The reamer is rotated and pulled up towards the surface, cutting the rock face at a diameter of 6.1 m. The cuttings drop to the bottom of the shaft, where they are collected and removed.

The first lift is just over 700 m deep and will be intersected by a horizontal tunnel at 2 370 level. Once it reaches the intersecting tunnel, the reamer will be assembled and lifted to excavate the shaft. The same process will be used to drill the 447-m-long bottom section of the ventilation shaft between 2 370 level and 3 960 level.

The shaft is scheduled for completion and hoisting by the first quarter of 2017.

Redpath is also undertaking about 9 000 m of associated development concurrent with the shaft raising, including the development of a decline to the bottom of the shaft and horizontal tunnels towards the orebody.

Once excavation work has been completed, Redpath will begin to equip the shaft with the shaft steelwork and headgear for the hoisting of rock, men and material.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Redpath (drilling).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
MCM, tel +260 1 221023, fax +260 1 221057 or email mcorporate@zccm-ih.com.zm.