One of the biggest copper producing mines in Africa has become the second of First Quantum Minerals’ operations to adopt Segnut.

The Sentinel copper open-pit mine located in the Kalumbila district of the North Western Province, Zambia, is home to one of the biggest copper reserves in the world.

Canadian metals and mining company, First Quantum Minerals (FQM), acquired Sentinel copper assets under their subsidiary company, Kalumbila Minerals, in a $260 million cash and share deal in early 2010.

To date, the current estimated operational life of the Sentinel copper mine is predicted to remain active until 2033. Proving its potential, the mine produced 223,656 tons of copper in 2018.

FQM adopted Engentus’s innovative Segnut in late 2018 at its Kansanshi operations and was the first mining company to adopt Segnut into its day-to-day operations. Segnut is used in the Sentinel copper mine to retain the wear liners on chutes and other fixed plant elements. Segnut has reduced the removal time and minimised the need for high energy removal methods such as hot works and rattle guns. This uniquely allows for a highly productive and lower risk work environment.

The current plan for the mine is to host a new and impressive open-pit spanning 5.4km in length, 1.5km wide and 375km deep. This new mine has integrated Segnut from the very beginning of its operations, which will promise FQM a new generation of productivity and safety in plant maintenance and operations.

Featuring an advanced lateral-release mechanism, the Segnut pioneers a new calibre of safe, efficient workplace practices. FQM’s Adoption of  Segnut has established the product in Africa  and is an opportunity to showcase the potential of the product to the burgeoning African mining sector.

The Sentinel Project has been delivered by some of the most respected names in the business, including FLSmidth who supplied the SAG mills and ball mills for the processing plants, and Metso Mining & Construction who supplied two MP2500 cone crushers.

FQM has a reputation for early adoption of innovative solutions and its embrace of Segnut is yet another example. With projects all over the world, there is significant potential for a much bigger partnership between FQM and Engentus. Watch this space.

Read more about the Sentinel Copper Mine at:  NS Energy Business