The China Nonferrous No. 2 Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) officially began excavation deep in the Chambishi Copper Mine in Zambia, Africa. The TBM was jointly developed by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation Limited (CRCHI) and China 15th Metallurgical Construction Group Co., Ltd. (15 MCC). This not only marks the debut of China's first mining TBM exported to Africa, but also signifies that African mining operations have officially moved beyond traditional blasting methods, ushering in a new era of mechanized and intelligent tunneling, said CRCHI on May 13, 2026.

China's first non-ferrous metal mine TBM exported to Africa begins excavation. (Photo provided by the correspondent)

The tunnel for the Southeast Ore Body Project in Chambishi, Zambia, stretches 9.7 kilometers and faces multiple challenges, including long stretches of hard rock, fault fracture zones, and high ground temperatures. To overcome these geological challenges, CRCHI manufactured this custom-made "steel giant"—a machine with a digging diameter of 5.63 meters, an overall length of approximately 130 meters, and a weight of about 800 tonnes.

The R&D team innovatively adopted a modular design, a specialized design for tight turns, and trackless back-up system technology. The equipment is designed with a minimum horizontal turning radius of 50 meters and can operate on slopes of up to ±15°, enabling it to maneuver flexibly in confined spaces.

To address challenging geological conditions, the TBM is equipped with an auxiliary bracing system, an instant support system, and an advanced geological prediction system, enabling it to adapt to any situation as it arises. Meanwhile, a customized high-efficiency cooling system and an online cutting tool monitoring system significantly enhance operator comfort and safety.

A CRCHI spokesperson noted that the operation of China Nonferrous No. 2 enables "single-pass tunneling" of the project. It completely resolves the pain points caused by traditional construction methods, including overbreak and underbreak, as well as irregular tunnel profiles. Mechanized operations significantly reduce the number of personnel at the working face, freeing workers from high-risk blasting and supporting operations. This truly embodies the principle of "fewer workers meaning greater safety, and no workers meaning absolute safety," providing a model for a disruptive transformation in African mining construction.

As a key component of Africa's first digital mining project, the commissioning of this TBM will provide a robust transportation network to support the construction of the Chambishi Copper Mine in Zambia. The copper mine is designed to process 3.3 million tonnes of ore and produce 60,000 tonnes of copper content in concentrate annually.

Source: en.changsha.gov.cn