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KCC site impressions

Satellite imagery

The satellite image is published unredacted except for the stockyard of cobalt hydroxide bags which is blurred for commercial reasons. The image is updated approximately monthly, even if poor weather conditions limit what’s visible. Previously uploaded satellite images can be viewed by clicking on the legend at the top of the satellite image. Note that the satellite image can have some colour differentiation due to the time lapse in capturing the full site.

© CNES 2023, Distribution Airbus DS

Ground and air views

  • Date of video: September 2023

    Watch Film

Date of video: September 2023

Additional information on satellite image

The satellite image is published unredacted except for the stockyard of cobalt hydroxide bags which is blurred for commercial reasons. The image is updated approximately monthly, even if poor weather conditions limit what’s visible. Previously uploaded satellite images can be viewed by clicking on the legend at the top of the satellite image. Note that the satellite image can have some colour differentiation due to the time lapse in capturing the full site.

Reference satellite views

Below are some typical landforms that can be observed on our site.

 

© CNES 2023, Distribution Airbus DS

  • Waste rock disposal - Waste rock is depoisted by trucks in designated waste rock areas producing hummocky shaped landforms as shown here. 

  • Drill and blast - Holes are drilled into the rock mass, loaded with explosives and detonated. This creates a pockmarked type of landform as show here.

Satellite views of artisanal cobalt mining in other parts of Lualaba

As a contrast reference, this is what artisanal mining looks like in satellite images. This section displays typically observed landforms where organised artisanal mining takes or has taken place.

 

© CNES 2023, Distribution Airbus DS

  • Active artisanal mine workings, where orange tarpaulins are often used to cover the pits where artisanal miners operate. 

  • Historical (abandoned) artisanal mine workings in a former open pit mine.