Kansanshi Mining and Solwezi Council Partner on Dual Carriageway Project
Kansanshi Mining, Solwezi Council Sign MoU for K104 Million Dual Carriageway Road Project
Kansanshi Mining PLC and the Solwezi Municipal Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to upgrade the Mitech Boom Gate Road into a dual carriageway, marking a major step forward in improving road infrastructure in Zambia’s Solwezi District.
The project is being implemented under a long-standing partnership between the two institutions that dates back to 2017. Under the agreement, Kansanshi Mining PLC and the Solwezi Municipal Council will jointly finance the works on a 50–50 cost-sharing basis, with the total project cost estimated at K104 million.
Speaking during a press briefing in Solwezi, representatives from both institutions said the road will be specifically engineered to withstand heavy commercial and mining traffic. The design will prioritize long-term durability, safety, and performance under high traffic volumes.
The Mitech Boom Gate Road will be constructed using a stone-base model similar to the Smelter Bypass Road, a design that has proven effective in supporting heavy-duty traffic under comparable conditions. This construction method provides a strong load-bearing foundation capable of handling sustained industrial use.
In the interim, temporary improvement works are underway to ensure the road remains accessible and safe for both motorists and pedestrians as preparations continue for the full dual carriageway construction.
Full-scale construction is expected to begin after the rainy season. Both Kansanshi Mining PLC and the Solwezi Municipal Council emphasized that the project reflects a shared commitment to improving connectivity, enhancing road safety, and supporting economic activity in Solwezi.
The initiative also underscores strengthened cooperation between local authorities, the mining sector, and surrounding communities.
The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by Government Chief Whip and Solwezi Central Member of Parliament Stafford Mulusa, Solwezi Mayor Remmy Kalepa, Solwezi District Commissioner Tradeson Mulofwa, Nsakwaya Ba Kaonde Provincial Chairperson Goodson Sansakuwa, Kansanshi Mining PLC Assistant General Manager Axel Kottgen, Corporate Affairs Superintendent Ryan Ellis, Site Services Operations Superintendent Leonard Kabwiku, and other officials from both institutions.
