Zambian copper mine experienced power outage and switched to emergency power generation system to maintain operation.

Published: Aug 10, 2021 08:20

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A power outage in Zambia on Sunday forced mining companies in Africa's second-largest copper producer to switch to emergency diesel power generation.

Zesco Ltd, the state power company, said in a statement that it had experienced a system failure and was working to ensure that "all systems were restored as soon as possible".

A spokesman for Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) said the company had been affected by the blackout, but production at the Nchanga smelter continued after the generator started.

A spokesman for KCM said, "in the deep underground mine of Konkola, the water control gates are immediately locked to ensure that the water does not spill into critical operating areas."

KCM is one of the largest mining companies in Zambia, with operations in Chingola, Chililabombwe, Nampundwe and Kitwe.

Sources at (MCM), a copper mine in Mopani, said that the power outage also affected the company's operations, but production still relied on emergency diesel generators to continue to operate.

Copper production capacity mining output

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