KCM Commences $63M Pump Station Project at Konkola Deeps
Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Plc has launched construction works for new pump station infrastructure at its Konkola Deep Mining Project (KDMP) in Chililabombwe, aimed at unlocking vast copper ore reserves trapped underground by water.
The project, valued at US$63 million, will be executed in partnership with Mancala, an Australian mining contractor renowned for vertical and lateral mine development. With a 26-month timeline, the works will involve excavation of sumps, settlers, and pump station infrastructure at the 1,350m and 1,390m levels of the shaft – one of the deepest in Zambia at 1,505m.
The KDMP is located on one of the world’s highest-grade copper ore bodies, with more than 291 million tonnes of resource. However, 283 million metric tonnes between the 1,040m and 1,350m levels remain inaccessible due to water ingress. The new pump station is expected to dewater these reserves, which represent almost three-quarters of the mine’s untapped potential.
KCM Acting Chief Executive Officer, Malcolm Mewett, said the development is critical to the mine’s long-term viability. “The works are necessary to unlock 283 million metric tonnes of undeveloped resource. This investment ensures continued copper production and supports Zambia’s ambition to boost output,” he explained.
Mewett noted that Mancala brings more than 35 years of experience in safe excavation and blasting techniques, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency. The project will also create employment for around 200 local people while facilitating skills transfer in modern mining practices.
Head of Special Projects at KCM, Andre Trytsman, added that the pump station will incorporate advanced safety systems. “We will install water-tight doors and penstocks designed to contain water in the workings in case of an emergency. This development complements our existing pump stations at 985m, 860m and 370m levels, providing additional resilience,” he said.
Once completed, the project is expected to contribute significantly to KCM’s long-term production target of 300,000 tonnes of copper per year by 2030, accounting for up to 10 percent of Zambia’s national output target.
