2027Final engineering study and cost estimate completion (next)
2027Shaft sinking begins
2030Commercial production start
Current obstacles
Deep-mine flooding riskThe region hosts some of the world's wettest underground mines. Mingomba will require major pumping and water management infrastructure to prevent flooding.
Engineering deep shaftsAt 1,700 m depth, challenges include rock stability, geothermal heat, and ventilation. Novel techniques may be needed.
Local stakeholder managementA major mining project in Zambia requires balancing community benefit, environmental protection, and operational efficiency.
Physics limits
Ore grade variation with depthCopper ore grades may vary as mining extends to greater depths. Processing efficiency must adapt to ore variations.
Geothermal gradient at depthDeep mines naturally experience increasing rock temperature. At 1,700 metres, heat management for worker safety and equipment durability is a significant engineering constraint.
How it works
3 parts
AI-Guided Discovery
Machine learning finds deep ore bodies
AI applied to geological data, satellite imagery, and drilling records identifies Mingomba as high-probability deep copper deposit.
Deep Underground Mining
Shaft mining for ore at 1,700 m depth
Deep shaft mining extracts copper ore below 1,700 metres; one of the world's deepest hard-rock mines.
On-Site Processing
Concentration and initial processing
Ore processed and concentrated on-site before shipment to global refineries and consumers.
AI mineral exploration, Mingomba copper, Gates-Bezos backed
AI-powered mineral explorer discovering deposits for clean energy. Backed by Gates, Bezos, and venture capital. Flagship: Mingomba copper mine in Zambia.
AI-powered mineral explorer backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos. Discovered Mingomba using proprietary geological AI.
Mingomba copper project: $2.3–2.5B investment; 300 kt/yr production in early 2030s. One of Africa's deepest mines at 1,700 m.
Raised $1.2B+ across five rounds (Series C-II: $537M at $2.96B valuation, Jan 2025); led by T. Rowe Price and Durable Capital.
