Africa’s second largest copper producer and other mining companies switched to emergency diesel-generated electricity to sustain operations after a power blackout hit Zambia on Sunday.
State-owned power company Zesco Ltd in a statement, said it experienced a system failure and was working to ensure “all systems are restored as quickly as possible”.
A spokesman from Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) said the company had been affected by the power outage, although production at Nchanga smelter continued after generators were switched on.
The KCM spokesman said water control gates were immediately locked to ensure water does not spill into critical operation areas at the Konkola Deep underground mine.
KCM is one of Zambia’s largest mining companies with operations in four locations, including Chingola, Chililabombwe, Kitwe and Nampundwe.
The blackout had also hit the Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) operations but production had continued running on alternative power sources powered by diesel.