Our history

The company derives part of its name, Kamoto, from the Swahili for "small fire".

1942: Discovery of the ore deposit
1948: First extraction of ore takes place
1959: Initial preparatory works and sinking of shafts
1964: Next phase of extraction of ore
2006: Two companies, Kamoto Operating Limited (KOL) under Katanga Mining Limited (KML) and DRC Copper Project (DCP) under Nikanor, set up in Kolwezi to operate the Kamoto underground, the KOV open pit and mine respectively
2008: The two companies merge to improve production efficiency
2009: The joint venture becomes effective and establishes the Kamoto Copper Company
2010: Presidential decree recognises KCC as a private company and partner of Gécamines, which represents the Congolese State
2013: Glencore invests in Kamoto, taking up (75%) percentage share ownership through Katanga Mining
2014: KCC becomes a limited company according to OHADA (Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa)
2015: KCC’s Luilu and KTC facilities enter care and maintenance to enable construction of the Whole Ore Leach (WOL) expansion project
2017: Commissioning of the Whole Ore Leach project
2017: Production of first copper cathode
2020: Acid plant construction is completed. Production ramps up to 270,000 tons of copper and 23,900 tons of cobalt.

Our History