Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has reintroduced raise boring technology at No. 3 Shaft – Konkola Mine in Chililabombwe for the first time in 15 years, marking a significant milestone in the company’s push toward safer, more efficient, and future-ready underground mining operations.
Raise boring is a mechanical excavation method used to create precise vertical or inclined shafts between underground levels, eliminating the need for traditional blasting techniques.
This strategic investment, undertaken in partnership with TUMI Raise Boring, forms part of KCM’s broader production ramp-up plan aimed at delivering 300,000 tonnes of copper annually by 2030.
KCM Chief Operating Officer, Malcolm Mewett, described the development as a foundational step in a series of raise boring projects that will enable access to deeper ore bodies and improve underground infrastructure.
“This milestone is not only critical to operational efficiency but also a reflection of the company’s vision to provide a safe and productive work environment,” said Mr. Mewett in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
He added that raise boring will play a key role in KCM’s ongoing transformation agenda, which includes modernizing mining methods, reducing environmental impact, and driving long-term sustainable growth.
By Angel Kasabo
