Plizio Visual Lab

Kimpere Manganese Mine

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Kimpere Manganese Mine (Congo - Kinshasa)

Weather…

The Kimpere manganese mine is located in the Lualaba Province, formerly part of the Katanga region, in the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo. This mine specializes in the extraction of manganese, a metal indispensable for steel production and increasingly vital for the manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries. Geographically, the site is situated in a region renowned for its vast mineral diversity, where manganese deposits often occur near the major copper and cobalt belts. Industrial activity at Kimpere has gained prominence in recent years due to rising global demand for alloying elements. Operations involve open-cast mining and on-site processing facilities to prepare the ore for export. Logistics constitute one of the primary challenges, as the heavy ore must be transported over long distances by rail or truck to ports on the Indian or Atlantic Oceans. Kimpere contributes to the diversification of the Congolese mining sector, which has traditionally been dominated by copper. The mine provides essential employment in a rural setting and stimulates local infrastructure development.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May–Jul.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	22	23	23	23	23	21	22	25	27	26	23	22
Rain mm	188	133	164	73	5	1	0	16	27	86	188	204

📋 Practical info

🏭

What is this place?

The Kimpere manganese mine in the Kisenge region is known for its significant manganese deposits in the south of the country. It contributes substantially to the Congolese mining economy and supplies the global steel industry.

🚪

Visiting

The mine is an active extraction area and usually not accessible to visitors. The surrounding hills and the secondary road offer a good view of the mining sites.

👀

Where to view it

A good viewpoint is the hill south of the mine, from which the open pits and loading facilities are visible. The access road also features occasional direct views.

🧺

Local products

In the Kisenge area, manganese ore and local minerals are sold on small markets. Seasonal agricultural products like peanuts and cassava complement the local offerings.

📆

Active season

The mine operates year-round, with production highest during the dry season from May to October. In the rainy season, mining can be hampered by mud and poor roads.

➕

Nearby

A visit to the Kimpere mine can be combined with a trip to Kolwezi or Lubumbashi. The nearby Kundelungu National Park is also suitable for a combination.

Geography

Coordinates

-10.50000, 23.10000

Facts

Kimpere is among the few large-scale manganese mines operating in the DR Congo.
Manganese is primarily extracted here for export to markets in China and India.
The mine is located south of the main transport route between Kolwezi and Dilolo.
Ore is frequently transported via the Lobito Corridor through Angola to the Atlantic.
Manganese from Kimpere is used in the metallurgical industry as a deoxidizing agent.
The mine is operated by private companies under government mining licenses.