MCM
The 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
- sustain current jobs with a possibility of creating new ones
- protect various business interests that are linked to mining in Kitwe, Mufulira and the nation at large
- sustain Mopani’s contribution to national development
Underground infrastructure still undergoing development.
SYNCLINORIUM SHAFT: THE FUTURE OF ZAMBIAN MINING