COPPER CONVOLUTION

This scale model shows the web of underground tunnels that provide access to copper ore at the Nchanga copper mine in Chingola, Zambia. The operation forms part of Konkola, a unit of the London-listed Vedanta Resources. Konkola mines collectively produce two-million tonnes of copper ore a year from underground and opencast workings that feed group concentrators, smelter, tailings leach plant and refinery. Exports are mainly the Middle East and East Asia through the ports of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Durban in South Africa. Metal sold domestically goes to Metal Fabricators of Zambia. Cobalt, pyrites and acids are produced as by-products.