The mining industry does not always seem appealing to the younger generation, it is therefore an important mission for mining companies to seed the will and excitement to ensure that succession happens. Kamoa Copper’s mine life is estimated around more than 40 years , this means that more than two generations will be needed to exhaust it’s exploitation. Building the next generation of miners is therefore crucial to the sustainable development of this copper giant.
It’s with a lot of hope and excitement that Managing Director Annabel Oosthuizen and her team welcomed a delegation of 22 students from the Suzanne Césaire French School of Kolwezi, to give them an experience designed to inform and inspire. Far from a typical school outing, they stepped into the mining world throughout the vist.
The visit began at the Kamoa Centre of Excellence, with an introduction from Ms.Oosthuizen. She emphasized on the importance that the company places towards education and on the initiatives put in place by Kamoa to achieve this. The Kamoa Centre of Excellence is a living example of this commitment, offering technical, operational, and leadership training to the youth of the region. The students had the chance to meet the current cohort of scholarship holders, which was a brief but meaningful exchange that gave real substance to the notion of opportunity.
One of the highlights of the day was when the group visited the Kamoa 1 box cut, largest in Africa. For these young people, who were discovering the world of mining for the first time, it was a moment of great discovery. Faced with the sheer size and precision of the infrastructure, a hitherto unknown reality suddenly took shape before their very eyes.
At the Kansoko Training Centre, the group explored how Kamoa prepares its workforce through advanced simulation technology. A few students even got to test the simulators under supervision, offering a rare hands-on experience that blended excitement with insight. Here, it became clear that the future of mining is not only about physical strength—it’s about skill, innovation, and continuous learning.
Questions came steadily throughout the tour, covering everything from environmental protection to engineering processes. Kamoa’s team responded with openness, using the opportunity to demystify the mining industry and present a diverse range of career paths that extend beyond stereotypes.
While not the main focus of the visit, the tour also touched on Kamoa’s supporting services, such as its Emergency Medical Services unit and the onsite clinic. A live EMS demonstration gave the students a brief look into the safety infrastructure that supports mining operations, reinforcing the company’s broader commitment to care and preparedness.