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SICOMINES Mine

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Industrial site
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SICOMINES Mine (Congo - Kinshasa)

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The SICOMINES mine is a major mining operation located near Kolwezi in the Lualaba Province, representing one of the largest joint ventures in the history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The company was established in 2008 as part of a landmark agreement between the Congolese government and a consortium of Chinese state-owned enterprises. It is an integrated copper and cobalt project encompassing both the extraction and refining of these strategic raw materials. The financing of the mine was tied to the construction of nationwide infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and hospitals, under a model known as 'infrastructure-for-minerals.' Producing tens of thousands of tons of copper and cobalt annually, SICOMINES plays a pivotal role in the global supply chain for battery components. The mine utilizes advanced open-pit mining techniques and features an on-site processing plant to produce copper cathodes and cobalt hydroxide. While its economic contribution to the national budget is significant, the transparency and actual implementation of the associated infrastructure deals are subjects of ongoing public scrutiny.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jul, Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C202121201918182124242221
Rain mm2361561716140061466184253

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?
The SICOMINES mine in Kolwezi is a massive joint venture, among the largest copper and cobalt producers in the country. It dominates the mining landscape and supplies vital raw materials to the global economy.
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Visiting
The mine is a heavily guarded industrial site, not open to the public. From the nearby hill north of the area, the scale of the open pits can be glimpsed.
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Where to view it
The observation platform on the hill south of the mine gives a spectacular view of the giant open pits. From the road from Kolwezi to Dilolo, the long conveyor belts and processing facilities are visible.
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Local products
The joint venture produces large quantities of copper and cobalt cathodes. In nearby villages, small copper items and traditional fabrics with mining motifs are occasionally offered.
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Active season
The mine operates year-round, with main production concentrated in the dry season from May to October. During this period logistical processes are most efficient.
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Nearby
A mine visit can be combined with Kolwezi and nearby Lake Nzelé. The city of Likasi and Upemba National Park are also worthwhile destinations in the area.

Geography

Coordinates
-10.72000, 25.48000

Facts

  • SICOMINES is a joint venture between the Congolese state firm Gécamines and Chinese companies.
  • The original 2008 agreement envisioned investments totaling approximately $6 billion.
  • The mine is located within the Central African Copperbelt near the city of Kolwezi.
  • Cobalt from this site is a critical component for the global production of lithium-ion batteries.
  • The agreement was renegotiated in 2024 to increase the mining royalties paid to the DRC.
  • The on-site refinery produces copper cathodes with a purity level exceeding 99%.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Musonoie MineMusonoie Mine1 km · SEExplore →
Kolwezi Children's ParkKolwezi Children's Park3 km · NEExplore →
Kamoto Copper MineKamoto Copper Mine5 km · SExplore →
Manika PlateauManika Plateau22 km · EExplore →
Kamoa-Kakula MineKamoa-Kakula Mine26 km · SWExplore →
Mutanda MineMutanda Mine33 km · NExplore →
Katanga Plateau ExtensionKatanga Plateau Extension64 km · NWExplore →
Tenke Fungurume MineTenke Fungurume Mine80 km · NExplore →

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Sights in the town SICOMINES Mine (2)

Kolwezi📍 landmark

Kolwezi is a mining city in Lualaba Province, known for copper and cobalt extraction.

Lualaba Province📍 landmark

Lualaba Province in southern DR Congo is rich in mineral resources.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is SICOMINES?
SICOMINES is a large mining joint venture between Congolese and Chinese companies.
What is mined there?
The mine produces large quantities of copper and cobalt.
Where is the SICOMINES mine located?
It is located near the city of Kolwezi in the Lualaba province.
Can you visit the mine?
Access is strictly controlled and normally only permitted for business purposes.
What is the importance of the mine for infrastructure?
The project is part of a 'resources-for-infrastructure' deal to develop roads.
SICOMINES Mine: where is it located?
SICOMINES Mine is located in Congo - Kinshasa.
SICOMINES Mine: what is there to see?
Highlights include Kolwezi, Lualaba Province.
SICOMINES Mine: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jul, Aug.
SICOMINES Mine: why is it worth visiting?
The SICOMINES mine is a major mining operation located near Kolwezi in the Lualaba Province, representing one of the largest joint ventures in the history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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Nearby cities

Kolwezi — SICOMINES Mine (Congo - Kinshasa)
Kolwezi
Kolwezi is the capital of Lualaba Province and a global center for the extraction of cobalt and copper minerals.
Fungurume — SICOMINES Mine (Congo - Kinshasa)
Fungurume
Fungurume is a mining town in Lualaba Province, central to the Tenke Fungurume mining operations, one of the world's largest.
Mutshatsha — SICOMINES Mine (Congo - Kinshasa)
Mutshatsha
Mutshatsha is a town in Lualaba Province, serving as an important administrative and railway station on the Benguela railway.

More places

Musonoie Mine — SICOMINES Mine (Congo - Kinshasa)
Musonoie Mine
The Musonoie mine near Kolwezi is an important site for the extraction of copper and cobalt ores in the Congolese copper belt.
Kolwezi (1978 Battle) — SICOMINES Mine (Congo - Kinshasa)
Kolwezi (1978 Battle)
The mining town of Kolwezi was captured by rebels in 1978 during the Shaba invasion and freed by an intervention of French Foreign Legion…
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Kamoto Copper Mine
A large underground and open-pit mining operation in the Congolese copper belt.
Manika Plateau — SICOMINES Mine (Congo - Kinshasa)
Manika Plateau
A prominent plateau in the Lualaba province, near the city of Kolwezi.
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Kamoa-Kakula Mine
Kamoa-Kakula is a major copper mining complex in Lualaba Province, set to become one of the world's largest copper producers.
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Mutanda Mine
One of the most productive cobalt mines in the world, operated in the Lualaba region.
Tenke Fungurume Mine — SICOMINES Mine (Congo - Kinshasa)
Tenke Fungurume Mine
One of the world's largest copper and cobalt mines in the Lualaba Province.
Bunkeya (Yeke Kingdom Capital) — SICOMINES Mine (Congo - Kinshasa)
Bunkeya (Yeke Kingdom Capital)
The historical capital of the Yeke Kingdom, founded in the 19th century by King Msiri, was a major trading center for copper and ivory.