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Kitwe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kitwe is the third-largest town in Zambia, with a population of 363,734 (2000 census). It is in the centre of the Copperbelt, Zambia's copper-mining region, in the Province[1] of that name, with a complex of mines on its north-western and western edges.[2]
Kitwe includes a number of townships and suburbs including Nkana, Mindolo, Garneton and Chibuluma.[3] The city is sometimes referred to as Kitwe-Nkana. As well as the mines, the city has light industrial areas manufacturing building materials, furniture and consumer goods.[1]
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There are two main underground mines in Kitwe, Nkana in the south-west and Mindola in the north-west. Nkana includes a concentrator, smelter and refinery, as well as a cobalt plant producing about 1800 tonnes per year, operated by Mopani Copper Mines plc.[4] There are extensive mine tailings around both mines, and two small tailings dams right in the city centre. There are also small-scale emerald mines in the area.
See Copperbelt Province for the history of the copper-mining industry.
Kitwe lies at the end of Zambia Railways' passenger services from Livingstone, Lusaka and Ndola, but freight lines continue to the mining towns to the north-west. The main highway through the Copperbelt runs south-east to north-west through the city, to Ndola (as a freeway) in the south-east, and to Nchanga, Chingola and Chililabombwe in the north-west. A laterite road goes west to Kasempa.[3]
Southdowns Airport, Kitwe lies about 12 km south-west of the town but does not currently receive scheduled services. Ndola Airport is 60 km south-east.[2]
- Obote Ave Market: arts and crafts stalls, including copper craft items.[1]
- Copperbelt University
- Mindolo Ecumenical Centre
- Kitwe Central Hospital
- Kitwe United Football Club
The landscape around Kitwe is an attractive mix of gently undulating woodland, dambos, farmland and rivers such as the Kafue River flowing along Kitwe's eastern and southern edges.
- Mindolo Dam 7km west of the city centre towards Kalulushi has a boating club, swimming pool and bar.[1]
- Makwera Falls 9 km south east just off the Kitwe-Ndola freeway, with a small lake and fish farms. The falls are small but scenic with an attractive pool below.[1]
- Chembe Bird Sanctuary 20 km east on the Kasempa Road has a small lake surrounded by woodland and is excellent for birdwatching, fishing, camping and picnics. The shady lake shore has campsites with a communal amenties block, firewood, and water. Boats are available for hire and fishing is permitted. It is run by the Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia.[1]
Kitwe's has two sister cities:
- ^ a b c d e f Camerapix: "Spectrum Guide to Zambia." Camerapix International Publishing, Nairobi, 1996.
- ^ a b Google Earth accessed 2007.
- ^ a b Terracarta/International Travel Maps, Vancouver Canada: "Zambia, 2nd edition", 2000
- ^ Ebizguides website: "Zambia: Mopani Copper Mines" Website accessed 18 March 2007.