Chingola

Chingola is a town in Zambia's Copperbelt Province, the country's copper-mining region, with a population of 256,560 (2022 census). It is the home of Nchanga Copper Mine, a deep-shaft high-grade content copper mining operation, which subsequently (in the 1960s) led to the development of two open pit operations, Chingola Open Pit and then Nchanga Open Pit (the latter being the second largest open cast mine in the world).

Chingola
Town
Nchanga copper mine near Chingola
Seal
Chingola Location in Zambia
Coordinates: 12°32′S 27°51′E
Country	Zambia
Province	Copperbelt Province
District	Chingola District
Elevation	4,472 ft (1,363 m)
Population  (2022 Census)
• Total	256,560
Time zone	UTC+2 (CAT)
Climate	Cwa
Website	Chingola Municipal Council

History

Chingola was founded in 1943, somewhat later than most other Copperbelt towns. Chingola was built to service the newly opened Nchanga copper mine. Alongside Luanshya (the "Garden Town of the Copperbelt"), Chingola is perhaps one of the best laid-out and most picturesque towns in Zambia.

Demographics

Census	Population
1990	142,383
2000	147,448
2010	185,246
2022	256,560

Mines

Further information: Mining in Zambia

Situated at the north-west end of the Copperbelt Province, the Nchanga Mines 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.

The Mimbula Copper Project is a copper rich oxide and sulphide deposit, located on the outskirts of the town of Chingola on a mining licence held by Moxico Resources’ Zambian unit. Moxico Resources is a development and exploration mining company incorporated in the UK. In 2021, Moxico Resources began construction of a 10,000 tonne Leach Pad, Solvent Extraction and Electrowinning Plant. The Plant is expected to be operational by Q2 2022 and is planned to be expanded in phases.

Communications

A freight-only branch of Zambian Railways services the town from Kitwe. The branch includes the movement of copper ore to the smelters at Nkana in Kitwe.

Chingola is on the main Copperbelt Highway (the T3 road) running north to Lubumbashi in DR Congo via Chililabombwe and Konkola and running south-east to Kapiri Mposhi via Kitwe and Ndola. It is also at the start of the T5 road, running west-north-west to a border with Angola via Solwezi and Mwinilunga.

Chingola is served by Kasompe Airport, (IATA code: CGJ). It is also served by 2 shopping malls: The Park Mall and the Motherland Shopping Mall.

Public facilities

The town has two hospitals: Nchanga North General Hospital (Government-owned, bed capacity 283) and Nchanga South Hospital (privately owned by the KCM (Konkola Copper Mines Plc), bed capacity about 100). The town also has sports amenities that were previously managed and maintained by the subsidiary of Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Limited, Nchanga Division; These include Crickets Club, Swimming pool (non functional), Rugby Club, Golf Club, tennis and Cinema (now converted into a church). These clubs are all located along Fern Avenue, aside from the golf course. There are several lodges in Chingola and one notable hotel, Protea by Marriott Chingola located along Kabundi road. Nchanga Rangers Football club is the towns largest soccer club and officiates games at the towns largest soccer stadium located near Nchanga North suburbs.

During the 60's, 70's and 80's, Chingola was hailed as the cleanest and well maintained town in Zambia. This was due, in part, to the mining company's policy to manage and maintain social services in the town, particularly in residential areas where employees of the mining company resided. The mining conglomerate ZCCM Limited and its subsidiaries, such as Nchanga Division, also had a strong CSR agenda that extended to residential areas and communities not directly linked to the mines.

Features of Chingola

National Monument

• Hippo Pool on the Kafue River, 10 km north, established as a National Monument in 1954.

Other features

• Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage, a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees, lies 60 km north-west of Chingola.
• "Five Mile Rock", about 8 kilometres from Chingola on the right hand side of the road to Kitwe, is a popular landmark.

Notable people born in Chingola

• Felix Bwalya (1970–1997), boxer
• Patson Daka (born 1998), footballer
• Samuel Matete (born 1968), athlete
• Chilekwa Mumba (born 1984/1985), environmental activist
• Elias Munshya (born 1978), diplomat
• Richard Moth (born 1958), Roman Catholic prelate and Bishop of Arundel and Brighton