Zambia’s Chambishi Mine Records 422 Metres of Tunnel Excavation with New Boring Machine

Zambia’s Chambishi copper mine has recorded a new milestone in underground development, with a tunnel-boring machine excavating 422.4 metres in one month during trials on the Southeast Orebody Project.

The China Nonferrous Metals No. 2 machine recorded 422.4 metres of excavation between 26 August and 25 September 2026, reaching a reported maximum of 42.2 metres in a single day. NFC Africa Mining (NFCA), which operates Chambishi, is using the equipment on its Southeast Orebody Project.

Machine Designed for Hard-Rock Mining

China Railway Construction Heavy Industry (CRCHI) and China 15th Metallurgical Construction Group jointly developed the machine for the project. CRCHI and its partner are also providing technical support, operation and maintenance services.

The machine began excavation at Chambishi in May 2026. It measures 5.63 metres in diameter, extends approximately 130 metres in length and weighs about 800 tonnes. It is designed to work in the mine’s difficult underground conditions, which include hard rock, geological fault zones and high ground temperatures.

The project involves a 9.7-kilometre tunnel for the Southeast Orebody. The equipment uses a modular design and specialised systems to navigate confined underground workings, including a minimum horizontal turning radius of 50 metres and the ability to operate on slopes of up to 15% in either direction.

Mechanised Development at Chambishi

The trial excavation required adjustments to the machine and its supporting systems. The technical team worked on equipment settings, rock and debris handling, ventilation and cooling to address the conditions underground. Tool replacement and maintenance schedules also had to account for wear during hard-rock excavation.

For NFCA, the machine offers an alternative to conventional excavation methods for developing underground access. More consistent tunnelling progress could help the mine advance infrastructure needed to reach ore bodies, although the trial results alone do not establish how much time or cost the equipment will save over the full project.

Chambishi has also invested in underground automation. In September 2026, its autonomous electric locomotive haulage project entered routine operation, with the operator reporting improved efficiency and fewer workers required in haulage activities. The tunnel-boring machine adds another mechanised system to the mine’s development programme.

The next test will be whether the boring machine can maintain its excavation rate under changing geological conditions and during longer periods of operation. Its performance will help determine how effectively specialised tunnelling equipment can support underground copper mine development in Zambia.