Mine constructed over four years from 2012, representing US$2.1 billion of investment - Zambia's largest infrastructure investment since the Kariba Dam was constructed in 1959. The operation is based on sophisticated technology – including the world's largest steel-ball mills and the world’s largest semi-mobile rope shovels. Mining capacity will eventually extend to around 65 million bulk cubic metres of ore and waste mined per annum. The plant has capacity to treat 55 million tonnes of ore to produce 300,000 tonnes of copper per annum. The workforce at Sentinel is greater than 6,000, predominantly Zambian nationals. In 2010, First Quantum acquired 100 per cent of Kiwara plc and its main asset - a controlling interest in the prospecting license on the periphery of the Kabombo Dome, which included the Kalumbila copper deposit (now Sentinel) and the Kawako nickel deposit (now Enterprise.) The combined project was renamed Trident after the acquisition. Sentinel and Enterprise will ultimately share processing infrastructure and tailings facilities.
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Links
- https://www.first-quantum.com/English/our-operations/default.aspx
- https://goo.gl/maps/W7RfZ48PfhywdHdQ8
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Notes
Owner: First Quantum
Start operations: 2015
Workforce:
Minerals mined:
Ore volume processed (Mtpa):
Ore grade: 0.5%
Copper production: 240 ktpa
Products:
Operations:
Projects & highlights:
TCM status:
Köppen-Geiger climate zone: Cwa
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Media
- Jul-25: First Quantum says Prospect investment key to Zambia copper expansion (accessed 11-Jul-25)
- Jun-25: First Quantum Minerals reports fatality at Zambia copper mine (accessed 23-Jun-2025)
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Created: 23-Jun-25; updated Jul-25