Kitwe is the second-largest city in terms of size and population in Zambia. It is also one of the most commercially and industrially developed areas in the country, alongside Ndola and Lusaka. It has a complex of mines on its northwestern and western edges.
Mopani Copper Mines have invested about USD1.3-billion in mining operations in Zambia. Their main operations are at Mufulira and Nkana. Both operations are underground, with the former comprising a mine, concentrator, smelter, and an acid plant while the latter consists of four mines and two concentrator plants.
Mopani has expanded these operations by sinking and equipping three new shafts, which were completed in 2018 in order to replace the ageing infrastructure at the complex which had been in operation since the 1930s. The Syclinorium and Mindola Deeps shafts were added to Nkana Mine and the Henderson Shaft was added to the Mufulira Mine. A new concentrator was also built at the Nkana site.
