Recently, a precise breakthrough connecting the 630mL crushing chamber access drift with the auxiliary shaft was achieved by Lubambe Copper Mine Limited.
The 630mL crushing chamber access drift is a key roadway that connects various underground production systems within the Lubambe mining area. In late March of this year, a sudden water inflow occurred at the relevant working face. The project team immediately activated the emergency response mechanism, strictly adhered to safety management protocols, suspended excavation operations, and concurrently carried out design optimization and special hydrogeological assessments. To effectively mitigate risks and reactivate the working face, LCML made a unified deployment in early June to carry out cover drilling and drainage operations. Drilling operations were organized for water exploration and dewatering. A comprehensive assessment was conducted based on hydrological monitoring data, rock strata conditions, and exploration findings. Having verified that the excavation area was free of any additional water-inrush risk and that safety construction criteria were fully satisfied, the project team proceeded with an orderly resumption of work. Following the resumption of work, manpower and equipment resources were swiftly mobilized, the construction plan was optimized in light of the hydrogeological conditions, and whole-process controls were implemented across key operations of excavation, breakthrough surveying, and water inflow prevention and response.
This breakthrough will create favorable conditions for the coordinated optimization of production systems including ventilation, haulage, and drainage, further enhancing the overall operational efficiency of the underground infrastructure. At the same time, it lays a solid foundation for the comprehensive underground survey between the 630mL and the auxiliary shaft, enabling the access of accurate fundamental data including drift elevation and orientation, and geological structures, and further improving the mine’s surveying and mapping documentation system.
Alongside LCML’s phased accomplishment, the Kansoko Sud decline project undertaken by Jimond concurrently entered the construction stage.
The work comprises two parallel declines on the north and south sides, with a total length of approximately 1,500 meters, and is set to serve as the primary transportation route for the future southward extension of the Kansoko orebody. Leveraging its extensive experience gained from Kakula orebody and its robust safety management capabilities, Jimond stood out among multiple bidders and successfully won the contract. The successful transition to blasting operations marks an expansion of the project development from the Kakula orebody to the Kansoko orebody, further broadening and extending the construction layout.
