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Nkana Mine, Kitwe, Kitwe District, Copperbelt Province, Zambiai
Regional Level Types
Nkana MineMine
KitweCity
Kitwe DistrictDistrict
Copperbelt ProvinceProvince
ZambiaCountry

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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
12° 49' 59'' South , 28° 12' 6'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Type:
Nearest Settlements:
PlacePopulationDistance
Kitwe400,914 (2012)3.6km
Kalulushi66,575 (2012)11.6km
Chambishi11,073 (2011)27.5km
Mufulira120,500 (2012)31.8km
Luanshya113,365 (2012)41.0km
Mindat Locality ID:
4349
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:4349:9
GUID (UUID V4):
0
Other/historical names associated with this locality:
Rokana Mine


A copper-cobalt mine owned by ZCCM. The deepest mine in the Zambian copper belt. Two shafts below 1,300 meters and 3 small open pits until 1984.

The mine exploits reduced facies type copper-cobalt ore beds, hosted in sedimentary rocks of the Lower Roan group along the southwestern margin of the Kafue Anticline. Along their strike length of 14 km, the beds are frequently replaced by siliceous dolomite, forming barren gaps. They also are cut by veins with U-Mo-V mineralization. The Rokana deposit consists of the Mindoa, Central and South orebodies.

In 2000, the ore resource at Nkana–Mindola was estimated at 259 million tons grading 2.19% copper and 0.10% cobalt, which includes a reserve of 75 million tons grading 2.26% copper and 0.14% cobalt.

Information of the owner:
Mopani Copper Mines PLC owns a number of open pit mines at Nkana Mine Site in Kitwe, which are no longer active, namely; Area D, Area E, Area J, Area K, Area Nose and Mindola Open Pit. Mindolo open pit, Area D and Area E open pit mines ceased operations in 2012 whilst Area J, Area K and Area Nose ceased operations in 2017 after mining became uneconomical at the pits (https://mopani.com.zm/open-pits/).

A 1975 discovery yielded large and very fine libethenite crystals.

GPS coordinates are approximate.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded from this region.


Mineral List

Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities

29 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

Rock list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

Albite
Formula: Na(AlSi3O8)
Albite var. Oligoclase
Formula: (Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si2O8]
Anhydrite
Formula: CaSO4
'Apatite'
Formula: Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
Baryte
Formula: BaSO4
'Biotite'
Formula: K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Bornite
Formula: Cu5FeS4
Brannerite
Formula: UTi2O6
Calcite
Formula: CaCO3
Carrollite
Formula: CuCo2S4
Chalcocite
Formula: Cu2S
Chalcopyrite
Formula: CuFeS2
'Chlorite Group'
Chrysocolla
Formula: Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
References:
Coffinite
Formula: U(SiO4) · nH2O
Digenite
Formula: Cu9S5
Dolomite
Formula: CaMg(CO3)2
'Feldspar Group'
'K Feldspar'
Libethenite
Formula: Cu2(PO4)(OH)
Habit: pseudo-octahedron, short, stubby, elongated along the a axis.
Colour: Dark green to black.
Description: The best crystals were found in Area E open pit.
Malachite
Formula: Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
Melonite
Formula: NiTe2
Microcline
Formula: K(AlSi3O8)
Molybdenite
Formula: MoS2
Muscovite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Muscovite var. Sericite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Native Copper
Formula: Cu
Orthoclase
Formula: K(AlSi3O8)
Pentlandite
Formula: (NixFey)Σ9S8
'Plagioclase'
Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8
Pseudomalachite
Formula: Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4
Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
Pyrite var. Cobalt-bearing Pyrite
Formula: (Fe,Co)S2
Pyrrhotite
Formula: Fe1-xS
Quartz
Formula: SiO2
Quartz var. Microcrystalline quartz
'Tourmaline'
Formula: AD3G6(T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
Uraninite
Formula: UO2
Uraninite var. Pitchblende
Formula: UO2
Vanadinite
Formula: Pb5(VO4)3Cl
Zircon
Formula: Zr(SiO4)

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
Native Copper1.AA.05Cu
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
Chalcocite2.BA.05Cu2S
Digenite2.BA.10Cu9S5
Bornite2.BA.15Cu5FeS4
Pentlandite2.BB.15(NixFey)Σ9S8
Chalcopyrite2.CB.10aCuFeS2
Pyrrhotite2.CC.10Fe1-xS
Carrollite2.DA.05CuCo2S4
Melonite2.EA.20NiTe2
Molybdenite2.EA.30MoS2
Pyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
var. Cobalt-bearing Pyrite2.EB.05a(Fe,Co)S2
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
Quartz4.DA.05SiO2
var. Microcrystalline quartz4.DA.05SiO2
Brannerite4.DH.05UTi2O6
Uraninite
var. Pitchblende
4.DL.05UO2
4.DL.05UO2
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
Calcite5.AB.05CaCO3
Dolomite5.AB.10CaMg(CO3)2
Malachite5.BA.10Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
Anhydrite7.AD.30CaSO4
Baryte7.AD.35BaSO4
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates
Libethenite8.BB.30Cu2(PO4)(OH)
Pseudomalachite8.BD.05Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4
Vanadinite8.BN.05Pb5(VO4)3Cl
Group 9 - Silicates
Coffinite9.AD.30U(SiO4) · nH2O
Zircon9.AD.30Zr(SiO4)
Muscovite9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
var. Sericite9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Chrysocolla9.ED.20Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Microcline9.FA.30K(AlSi3O8)
Orthoclase9.FA.30K(AlSi3O8)
Albite9.FA.35Na(AlSi3O8)
var. Oligoclase9.FA.35(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si2O8]
Unclassified
'Biotite'-K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
'Chlorite Group'-
'Feldspar Group'-
'Tourmaline'-AD3G6(T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
'Plagioclase'-(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8
'K Feldspar'-
'Apatite'-Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
H BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
H ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
H CoffiniteU(SiO4) · nH2O
H LibetheniteCu2(PO4)(OH)
H MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
H MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
H PseudomalachiteCu5(PO4)2(OH)4
H Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
H ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
BBoron
B TourmalineAD3G6(T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
CCarbon
C CalciteCaCO3
C DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
C MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
OOxygen
O AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
O AnhydriteCaSO4
O BaryteBaSO4
O BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
O BranneriteUTi2O6
O CalciteCaCO3
O ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
O CoffiniteU(SiO4) · nH2O
O DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
O LibetheniteCu2(PO4)(OH)
O MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
O MicroclineK(AlSi3O8)
O MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
O Albite var. Oligoclase(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si2O8]
O OrthoclaseK(AlSi3O8)
O Uraninite var. PitchblendeUO2
O PseudomalachiteCu5(PO4)2(OH)4
O QuartzSiO2
O TourmalineAD3G6(T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
O UraniniteUO2
O VanadinitePb5(VO4)3Cl
O ZirconZr(SiO4)
O Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
O Plagioclase(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8
O ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
FFluorine
F BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
F ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
NaSodium
Na AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Na Albite var. Oligoclase(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si2O8]
Na Plagioclase(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8
MgMagnesium
Mg BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Mg DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
AlAluminium
Al AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Al BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Al ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Al MicroclineK(AlSi3O8)
Al MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Al Albite var. Oligoclase(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si2O8]
Al OrthoclaseK(AlSi3O8)
Al Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Al Plagioclase(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8
SiSilicon
Si AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Si BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Si ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Si CoffiniteU(SiO4) · nH2O
Si MicroclineK(AlSi3O8)
Si MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Si Albite var. Oligoclase(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si2O8]
Si OrthoclaseK(AlSi3O8)
Si QuartzSiO2
Si ZirconZr(SiO4)
Si Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Si Plagioclase(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8
PPhosphorus
P LibetheniteCu2(PO4)(OH)
P PseudomalachiteCu5(PO4)2(OH)4
P ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
SSulfur
S AnhydriteCaSO4
S BaryteBaSO4
S BorniteCu5FeS4
S CarrolliteCuCo2S4
S ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
S ChalcociteCu2S
S DigeniteCu9S5
S MolybdeniteMoS2
S Pentlandite(NixFey)Σ9S8
S PyriteFeS2
S PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
S Pyrite var. Cobalt-bearing Pyrite(Fe,Co)S2
ClChlorine
Cl VanadinitePb5(VO4)3Cl
Cl ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
KPotassium
K BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
K MicroclineK(AlSi3O8)
K MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
K OrthoclaseK(AlSi3O8)
K Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
CaCalcium
Ca AnhydriteCaSO4
Ca CalciteCaCO3
Ca DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
Ca Albite var. Oligoclase(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si2O8]
Ca Plagioclase(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8
Ca ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
TiTitanium
Ti BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Ti BranneriteUTi2O6
VVanadium
V VanadinitePb5(VO4)3Cl
FeIron
Fe BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Fe BorniteCu5FeS4
Fe ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Fe Pentlandite(NixFey)Σ9S8
Fe PyriteFeS2
Fe PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
Fe Pyrite var. Cobalt-bearing Pyrite(Fe,Co)S2
CoCobalt
Co CarrolliteCuCo2S4
Co Pyrite var. Cobalt-bearing Pyrite(Fe,Co)S2
NiNickel
Ni MeloniteNiTe2
Ni Pentlandite(NixFey)Σ9S8
CuCopper
Cu BorniteCu5FeS4
Cu CarrolliteCuCo2S4
Cu ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Cu ChalcociteCu2S
Cu ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Cu Native CopperCu
Cu DigeniteCu9S5
Cu LibetheniteCu2(PO4)(OH)
Cu MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Cu PseudomalachiteCu5(PO4)2(OH)4
ZrZirconium
Zr ZirconZr(SiO4)
MoMolybdenum
Mo MolybdeniteMoS2
TeTellurium
Te MeloniteNiTe2
BaBarium
Ba BaryteBaSO4
PbLead
Pb VanadinitePb5(VO4)3Cl
UUranium
U BranneriteUTi2O6
U CoffiniteU(SiO4) · nH2O
U Uraninite var. PitchblendeUO2
U UraniniteUO2

Geochronology

Mineralization age: Neoproterozoic to Cambrian : 550 ± 3 Ma to 522 Ma

Important note: This table is based only on rock and mineral ages recorded on mindat.org for this locality and is not necessarily a complete representation of the geochronology, but does give an indication of possible mineralization events relevant to this locality. As more age information is added this table may expand in the future. A break in the table simply indicates a lack of data entered here, not necessarily a break in the geologic sequence. Grey background entries are from different, related, localities.

Geologic TimeRocks, Minerals and Events
Phanerozoic
 Paleozoic
  Cambrian
   Terreneuvian
ⓘ Uraninite (youngest age)522 Ma
Precambrian
 Proterozoic
  Neoproterozoic
   Ediacaran
ⓘ Uraninite (oldest age)550 ± 3 Ma

Other Databases

Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mopani_Copper_Mines

Localities in this Region

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AfricaContinent
African PlateTectonic Plate

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

 
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