Chingola
Chingola is a city in Zambia's Copperbelt Province, the country's copper-mining region, with a population of 147,448 (2000 census). It is the home of Nchanga Open Pit Mine, the second largest open cast mine in the world.
History
Chingola was founded somewhat later than the cities in the south-eastern half of the Copperbelt, in 1943, when the Nchanga Open Pit was started up. It was, at one point, known to be the cleanest town in Zambia.
Mines at Chingola
Nchanga Open Pit workings lie in an arc 11 km long around the west and north of the town, covering nearly 30 km². The deepest part of the pit is 400 m lower than the surrounding plateau.
As well as the Nchanga Open Pit, Chingola has an underground mine. A mine tailings dam about 7 km south of the city covers 24 km².
See Copperbelt Province for the history of the copper-mining industry.
Communications
A freight-only branch of Zambian Railways services the town from Kitwe.
In Chingola, the main road to Lubumbashi in DR Congo via Chililabombwe and Konkola branches off the main Copperbelt highway running south-east from Kitwe going north-west to Solwezi.
Health Facilities
The town has two hospitals: Nchanga North General Hospital (Government-owned, bed capacity 283) and Nchanga South Hospital (privately-owned by the mines, bed capacity about 100).
Features of Chingola
National Monuments
- Hippo Pool on the Kafue River, 10 km north
Other features
- Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage, a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees lies 60 km north-west of Chingola.
Maps
Statistics
- Elevation = 1363m
- Population = 16,332
Born in Chingola
- Samuel Matete (born 1968), Zambian athlete
- Felix Bwalya (born 1970), Zambian boxer (d. 1997)
- Fighton Simukonda (born 1961, Zambian Soccer Coach)
- Hector Mukwato (born 1976, Jesuit)
- Iman Javaheri (born 1983, Accountant)
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