Ruashi Mine

The Ruashi Mine, located on the outskirts of Lubumbashi in the Haut-Katanga Province, is a major producer of copper and cobalt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The site has a legacy of mining dating back to the early 20th century when its rich ore deposits were first identified. Following a long period of closure, the operation was modernized and reopened in 2005 by South African firm Metorex, which is now a subsidiary of China's Jinchuan Group. Ruashi employs advanced flotation and solvent extraction-electrowinning (SX-EW) technology to process high-grade metals from oxidized ores. A unique phase of the project involved reprocessing historic tailings from earlier decades that still contained significant metal concentrations before transitioning back to open-pit mining. Its proximity to Lubumbashi makes it a critical local employer and economic driver, though its location necessitates stringent environmental management regarding dust and water quality. The mine remains a key asset within the Central African Copperbelt and a vital contributor to the nation's mineral exports.

Nearby cities

Lubumbashi

Lubumbashi is the mining capital of the DR Congo and the second-largest city, located in the southeastern part of the country.

Likasi

Likasi is a major industrial city in the Upper Katanga Province, significantly involved in the processing of minerals.

Kipushi

Kipushi is a town in the Upper Katanga Province, situated right on the border with Zambia, known for its deep mine.

Kambove

Kambove is a historical mining town in Haut-Katanga province.

Pweto

Pweto is located at the northern end of Lake Mweru on the border with Zambia.

Kasumbalesa

Kasumbalesa is a border town in Upper Katanga Province, serving as a vital crossing point between DR Congo and Zambia.

Sakania

Sakania is the southernmost town of the DR Congo on the border with Zambia.

History & landmarks

National Museum of Lubumbashi

The Musée National de Lubumbashi displays a rich collection of archaeological, ethnographic, and artistic works from the Katanga region.

University of Lubumbashi (Belvédère)

The distinctive campus buildings of the University of Lubumbashi, a center for education in the south.

Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral

The Cathédrale Saints-Pierre-et-Paul in Lubumbashi is a grand Romanesque-style cathedral and a landmark of the mining capital.

Palais de Justice Lubumbashi

The Palais de Justice in Lubumbashi is a notable colonial-era building that houses the high courts of the region.

Frédéric Kibassa Maliba Stadium

A major sports stadium in Lubumbashi, formerly known as Stade de la Kenya.

Stade TP Mazembe

The Stade TP Mazembe is the private stadium of the famous Tout Puissant Mazembe football club in Lubumbashi.

More places

Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul

The cathedral in Lubumbashi, built in the 1920s, is a significant religious and architectural heritage of the colonial city of Elizabethv…

Brasimba Brewery

The Brasimba brewery in Lubumbashi is a leading company in the beverage industry of southern Congo.

Luiswishi Mine

A high-grade copper and cobalt mine not far from Lubumbashi in the resource-rich south.

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Lubumbashi Children's Park

Children's parks in Lubumbashi offer safe and fun environments for the city's youth to play and socialize.

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Kinsevere Mine

Kinsevere is a significant copper mine located near Lubumbashi in the Upper Katanga Province.

Kipushi Mine

A historic zinc and copper mine near the Zambian border that has been modernized.

Jadotville (Likasi)

Likasi, formerly Jadotville, was the site of the famous 1961 Siege of Jadotville, where Irish UN troops fought Katangese secessionists.

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Kundelungu National Park

Kundelungu National Park is known for its dramatic landscapes and the spectacular Lofoi Falls, the highest in Africa.