FIRST-EVER STATE-OF-THE-ART TUMI RAISE BORE MACHINE

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Posted by admin on February 6, 2026 at 5:07 AM

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Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has commissioned a 2 million united states dollars Tumi raise boring machine, model SBM 700SR, at Konkola Mine, marking a major milestone in Zambia’s mining modernization drive.

A mechanical excavation technique used to create vertical or inclined shafts between underground levels.

Eliminates the need for blasting, making it safer, faster, and more efficient.

Produces high-quality, stable walls suitable for ventilation, ore movement, and emergency escape routes.

The machine is fully automated and can be controlled remotely, keeping personnel away from high-risk shaft openings.

It can operate efficiently with minimal manpower, often requiring only one operator.

This innovation reduces environmental impact and enhances underground safety.

Acting CEO Malcolm Mewett emphasized that the machine sets the foundation for Unlocking deeper ore bodies, establishing robust underground access and driving long-term growth through modernization and sustainability.

“Raise boring in any mine is critical… for escape routes, ore material movement, and importantly – ventilation for our people. For KCM, all of those operations will be useful as we grow this mine into the future,” Mewett said.

The machine was acquired at a cost of.

CEO of Tumi, Marc Blattner, highlighted its uniqueness Fully automated design and equipped with crawler mobility, eliminating transport challenges underground.