The 500-meter-level underground autonomous electric locomotive haulage project, led by NFC Africa Mining PLC (NFCA), a subsidiary of China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (CNMC), recently passed the final acceptance inspection and officially entered routine operation at the main and west orebodies of Chambishi Copper Mine in Zambia.

The project is the first of its kind in Africa.

It enables end-to-end automation of underground rail haulage, with capabilities including dual-locomotive round-trip operation, automated dual-train operation, remote ore loading and automatic ore unloading.

It also features a digital centralized control platform integrating mobile wireless communications, automated dispatch and protection, and power supply management.

Compared with conventional haulage methods, the upgraded haulage system has increased operating efficiency by approximately 25 percent and reduced the number of personnel involved in haulage operations by 50 percent, reducing the frequency of workers entering high-risk underground haulage areas while improving both operational safety and production efficiency.

The project represents a significant step in transforming underground rail haulage from conventional manual operation to automated and intelligent operation, providing a practical model for the digital transformation of underground mining.

It marks another milestone in NFCA's efforts to advance digital and intelligent mining.

Representatives from relevant departments review system operations during the final acceptance inspection of the 500-meter-level autonomous electric locomotive haulage project, led by NFC Africa Mining PLC (NFCA), a subsidiary of China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (CNMC), at the main and west orebodies of Chambishi Copper Mine in Zambia, Aug. 20, 2026.

As a major production area of Chambishi Copper Mine, which is operated by NFCA, the main and west orebodies at the 500-meter level have long faced challenging geological conditions, including heavy water inflows and rockbursts, together with a haulage network featuring numerous curves and junctions.

In an effort to enhance inherent safety and efficiency of underground haulage, NFCA launched the autonomous electric locomotive haulage project in 2017, introducing autonomous electric locomotive haulage technology and equipment developed by China ENFI Engineering Corporation (China ENFI).

Representatives from relevant departments review system operations during the final acceptance inspection of the 500-meter-level autonomous electric locomotive haulage project, led by NFC Africa Mining PLC (NFCA), a subsidiary of China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (CNMC), at the main and west orebodies of Chambishi Copper Mine in Zambia, Aug. 20, 2026.  

Following an initial commissioning phase, the project was formally restarted in October 2025 with an upgraded system aligned with updated safety standards.

The upgrade replaced the original single-locomotive traction mode with dual-locomotive operation, further improving the safety, reliability, and haulage capacity of the system.

NFCA established a dedicated project leadership team to coordinate project implementation, production organization, safety management, and technical commissioning, steering the project onto a "fast track."

Working closely with China ENFI and other partners, NFCA completed the project upgrade within 11 months while maintaining normal mine production throughout the process.

The final acceptance inspection of the project took place on Aug. 20, 2026. The inspection team was led by NFCA Chief Executive Officer Yao Gaohui and Vice President Yang Ligang, with representatives from NFCA's digital and intelligent management department, safety, health and environment department, electrical and mechanical department, and the control center of the main and west orebodies, as well as China ENFI and other partners.

The inspection included comprehensive tests of key functions, including dual-train operation and automated ore loading and unloading. Participants also evaluated system performance and technical indicators, confirming that each function and indicator had met its design requirements.

The upgraded rail haulage system operates with two train formations, each consisting of two electric locomotives and 10 mine cars.Under normal production conditions, one formation operates while the other remains on standby; both can be deployed when haulage demand increases.

The system has been in routine dual-train operation since July 2026.