Chambishi Southeast Ore Body, Zambia

CRCHI supplied the first mining TBM exported from China to Africa in December 2024 for the Chambishi southeast ore body in Zambia, opening hard-rock mechanised excavation as an option for African underground mine development. A second machine for the same site, designated "CNMC No. 2", has since rolled off the parent factory line. The 5.63 m diameter mining TBM is approximately 130 metres long and weighs around 800 tonnes, configured as a modular build for an underground drift network exceeding 9.7 kilometres through long-haul hard rock, fault fracture zones and intense geothermal heat. Engineering features include a 50 m minimum horizontal turning radius, ±15 degree slope traverse, trackless back-up, auxiliary bracing, real-time ground support, advanced geological prediction, online cutter condition monitoring and a custom high-capacity refrigeration system for the geothermal load. The machine supports a mine production target of 3.3 million tonnes of ore and 60,000 tonnes of copper concentrate per year.