Guide - Mining

Mining

NORTHERN Rhodesia owes its prosperity to base-metal mining, primarily of copper, and to a lesser extent, of lead, zinc and vanadium. Most of the Territory has been geologically surveyed by the holders of exclusive prospecting rights over the " concession " areas. These concessions lapsed at the end of 1940 and practically the whole Territory with the exception of Barotse-land and areas held under mining titles, is now open to prospecting, though some areas are reserved against prospecting for certain specified minerals.

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Iron Ore and Coal. The exploration of iron ore occurrences is in progress and investigation is being made into the quality and extent of the Territory's coal deposits.

Gold and Silver. There is at present only one small gold mine in operation, although gold and silver are recovered as byproducts of copper.

Lead, Zinc and Vanadium. The Broken Hill Mine is the only producer of lead, zinc and vanadium, and new plant was erected recently for the treatment of sulphide ores. Hydro-electric power is employed on this mine.

Copper and Cobalt. The known payable copper deposits are concentrated in the corner of Northern Rhodesia which is adjacent to the south-western border of the Congo Pedicle. The four producing mines—Nkana, Mufulira, Roan Antelope and Nchanga —are located respectively at Kitwe, Mufulira, Luanshya and Chingola. All of these mines are known to possess very considerable ore reserves. The Nkana, Mufulira and Roan Antelope Mines have their own smelters. Concentrates from the Nchanga Mine are smelted at Nkana, which also has a large electrolytic refinery. Cobalt is produced by the Rhokana Corporation at Nkana. The four mines, known collectively as the Copperbelt, employ between them some 5,000 Europeans and 40,000 Africans.

Plans for a considerable extension of mining activities on the Copperbelt are already advanced and new copper-cobalt mines are being opened.