Plizio Visual Lab

Mutanda Mine

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Mutanda Mine, located in the Lualaba Province, is the world's largest producer of cobalt and a significant source of copper. Majority-owned and operated by the Swiss commodity giant Glencore, the site features extensive open-pit operations and sophisticated hydrometallurgical processing plants. Cobalt is a critical mineral for the production of lithium-ion batteries, placing Mutanda at the heart of the global green energy transition and electronics industry. The geological deposits are characterized by exceptionally high ore grades, making it one of the most cost-effective mining operations in the Central African Copperbelt. Despite temporary suspensions for maintenance and market adjustments, Mutanda continues to be a vital asset for the Congolese economy and global supply chains. The mine remains a key driver of infrastructure development and employment within the regional mining hub of Kolwezi.

Location: Congo - Kinshasa
Nearby: Fungurume (65 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Aug, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	20	21	20	20	19	17	17	20	24	25	22	21
Rain mm	220	172	171	64	5	0	0	1	7	52	150	253

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The Mutanda Mine in Lualaba Province is one of the most productive cobalt mines in the world. It shapes the global cobalt market and is central to the Congolese mining economy.

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Visiting

The mine is a high-security industrial site, closed to visitors. External viewing is possible from the surrounding heights that overlook the valley.

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Where to view it

The viewpoint on the hill east of the mine provides a good overview of the open pits and processing plants. From the nearby road to Kolwezi, the large waste dumps are visible.

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Local products

The region is famous for cobalt ore extraction, mostly supplied to international companies. On local markets, mineral specimens and handicrafts are occasionally offered.

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Active season

The mine operates year-round, with the dry season from May to November being the most efficient. During this period transport and processing capacities run at full capacity.

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Nearby

A visit can be combined with the city of Kolwezi and the nearby Lualaba River. The mining town of Likasi and Upemba National Park are also possible destinations.