Mashamba West Mine

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Sicomines copper-cobalt project, Mutshatsha, Lualaba, DR Congo

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Key Information

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  • Mashamba West Mine is located in Mutshatsha, Lualaba Province, DR Congo, part of the Sicomines copper-cobalt project, near Kolwezi.

  • It produces copper and cobalt minerals like malachite and cobalt-bearing calcite, with some uranium minerals.

  • The mine, starting in 1978, is an open-pit operation in sedimentary rock, likely still active under Sicomines.

  • The area has a tropical climate, rich Miombo woodlands facing deforestation from mining, and a culture tied to mining.

Location and Minerals

Mashamba West Mine sits in Mutshatsha, Lualaba Province, in southeastern DR Congo, close to Zambia and Angola. It's part of the Sicomines project, about 11 km southwest of Kolwezi, a major mining hub. The mine is known for copper and cobalt minerals, including vibrant malachite and unique cobalt-bearing calcite, plus rarer finds like vésigniéite and carnotite, which might surprise enthusiasts with their diversity.

Geological and Historical Context

Research suggests the mine, starting operations in 1978, is an open-pit site within the Katanga Copper Crescent, featuring sedimentary deposits. It seems likely that it's still active, given Sicomines' ongoing activities, though exact current status needs confirmation. Initially run by Gécamines, it later joined the Sicomines venture with Chinese partners, reflecting the region's complex mining history.

Culture and Environment

The local culture in Mutshatsha is shaped by mining, with traditional Congolese elements like music and dance. The climate is tropical, with high humidity and rainfall, part of the biodiverse Miombo woodlands, which are under threat from deforestation due to mining, an unexpected environmental challenge for mineral enthusiasts to consider.

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