Kamoto Copper Mine
One of the world's largest copper-cobalt producers, anchoring Glencore's operations in the DRC's Katanga province.
Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) operates one of the largest copper-cobalt mining complexes in the world, located near Kolwezi in the DRC's Lualaba Province. The operation is 75% owned by Glencore (through its subsidiary Katanga Mining) and 25% by state-owned Gecamines. KCC comprises the Kamoto underground mine, the KOV and Mashamba East open pits, a concentrator, and a modern hydrometallurgical processing plant. The complex produced approximately 250,000 tonnes of copper cathode and significant cobalt output in 2023, making it one of the DRC's largest mining operations.
- 01Produce over 250,000 tonnes of copper cathode and significant cobalt volumes annually
- 02Operate the whole-ore leach hydrometallurgical plant at design capacity
- 03Maintain the Kamoto underground mine as a long-life core operation
- 04Supply battery-grade cobalt hydroxide to the global electric vehicle supply chain
- 05Comply with DRC mining code requirements including local content and community investment
- 06Implement responsible sourcing standards for cobalt traceability
2008 · completed
Glencore Joint Venture
Glencore (via Katanga Mining) finalized its joint venture with Gecamines for the Kamoto complex.
2014 · completed
Underground Expansion
Major underground expansion work at Kamoto mine to increase ore production capacity.
2018 · completed
Whole Ore Leach Plant
The $900 million whole-ore leach hydrometallurgical plant was commissioned.
2019 · completed
Temporary Suspension
Operations were temporarily suspended due to a sinkhole incident at the KOV open pit.
2023 · completed
Full Production
KCC produced approximately 250,000 tonnes of copper cathode at strong operating margins.
2025 · in progress
Continued Optimization
Ongoing optimization of the hydrometallurgical plant and underground mining operations.
Mineral Resource
Copper-Cobalt Resource
Massive copper-cobalt mineral resource base with reserves supporting decades of production.
Processing Plant
Hydrometallurgical Plant
A modern whole-ore leach, SX-EW plant producing LME-grade copper cathode and cobalt hydroxide.
Mining Infrastructure
Kamoto Underground Mine
One of the deepest and largest underground copper mines in the DRC, with extensive development levels.
Mining Infrastructure
KOV and Mashamba East Pits
Open-pit operations providing supplementary oxide and mixed ore to the processing plant.
Processing Plant
Concentrator Plant
Flotation concentrator producing copper-cobalt concentrate from sulphide ore sources.
- Underground room-and-pillar and sublevel stoping mining
- Open-pit conventional mining at KOV and Mashamba East
- Whole-ore leach hydrometallurgical processing
- Solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX-EW) for copper cathode
- Cobalt hydroxide precipitation circuit
- Tailings retreatment through dedicated leach circuits
What it means for the community
KCC employs over 8,000 people directly and is one of the largest private sector employers in the Lualaba Province. The operation contributes hundreds of millions of dollars annually to the DRC government through taxes, royalties, and Gecamines' 25% interest. Glencore has implemented responsible cobalt sourcing protocols including blockchain traceability to ensure cobalt produced at Kamoto meets international ethical supply chain standards.
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- Glencore/Katanga Mining (75%)
- Gecamines (25%)
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