Chingola facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chingola
Town
Nchanga copper mine near Chingola
Seal
Chingola Location in Zambia
Country	Zambia
Province	Copperbelt Province
District	Chingola District
Elevation	4,472 ft (1,363 m)
Population  (2022 Census)
• Total	256,560
Time zone	UTC+2 (CAT)
Climate	Cwa
Website	Chingola Municipal Council

Chingola is a town in Zambia located in the Copperbelt Province. This area is famous for its copper mining. In 2022, about 256,560 people lived there. Chingola is home to the Nchanga Copper Mine. This mine started as a deep underground mine. Later, two huge open pit mines were developed. One of these, the Nchanga Open Pit, is the second largest open pit mine in the world!

History of Chingola

Chingola was started in 1943. This was a bit later than many other towns in the Copperbelt region. The town was built to support the new Nchanga copper mine. Chingola is known as one of the most beautiful and well-planned towns in Zambia. It is often compared to Luanshya, which is called the "Garden Town of the Copperbelt".

Population Growth

The number of people living in Chingola has grown over the years. Here's how the population has changed:

Copper Mines in Chingola

Chingola is located at the northwest end of the Copperbelt Province. The Nchanga Mines Open Pit is a huge mining area. It stretches for about 11 kilometers around the west and north sides of the town. This mining area covers almost 30 square kilometers. The deepest part of the pit is 400 meters lower than the land around it.

There is also the Mimbula Copper Project. This project mines copper from both oxide and sulphide deposits. It is located just outside Chingola. A company from the UK called Moxico Resources owns the mining license. In 2021, Moxico Resources started building a special plant. This plant helps to process the copper. It is expected to grow in different stages.

Getting Around Chingola

Roads and Railways

A special railway line connects Chingola to Kitwe. This line is only for moving goods, like copper ore. The copper ore is taken to smelters in Nkana, Kitwe, where it is processed.

Chingola is on the main Copperbelt Highway, which is called the T3 road. This road goes north to Lubumbashi in the DR Congo. It passes through Chililabombwe and Konkola. The T3 road also goes southeast to Kapiri Mposhi, passing through Kitwe and Ndola. Chingola is also where the T5 road begins. This road goes west and northwest towards the border with Angola. It passes through Solwezi and Mwinilunga.

Airport and Shopping

Chingola has its own airport called Kasompe Airport. Its airport code is CGJ. The town also has two shopping malls where people can shop: The Park Mall and the Motherland Shopping Mall.

Places and Services

Hospitals and Sports

Chingola has two hospitals. Nchanga North General Hospital is owned by the government and has 283 beds. Nchanga South Hospital is privately owned by Konkola Copper Mines Plc and has about 100 beds.

The town also has many sports facilities. These used to be managed by a mining company division called Nchanga. They include a Crickets Club, a Rugby Club, and a Golf Club. There are also tennis courts. A cinema used to be there but is now a church. Most of these clubs are located along Fern Avenue. Chingola has several lodges and a well-known hotel, Protea by Marriott Chingola. The town's biggest soccer club is Nchanga Rangers Football club. They play their games at the largest soccer stadium, which is near the Nchanga North suburbs.

Town Maintenance

In the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, Chingola was known as the cleanest and best-kept town in Zambia. This was partly because the mining company helped manage and maintain public services. They especially took care of residential areas where their employees lived. The mining company, ZCCM Limited, also had programs to help communities not directly linked to the mines.

Fun Places to Visit in Chingola

Hippo Pool National Monument

• The Hippo Pool is on the Kafue River, about 10 kilometers north of Chingola. It was made a National Monument in 1954. This means it's a special place protected for its natural importance.

Other Interesting Spots

• The Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage is a safe place for orphaned chimpanzees. It is about 60 kilometers northwest of Chingola.
• "Five Mile Rock" is a well-known landmark. It is about 8 kilometers from Chingola on the road to Kitwe.

Famous People from Chingola

Many notable people were born in Chingola:

• Felix Bwalya (1970–1997), a boxer.
• Patson Daka (born 1998), a footballer.
• Samuel Matete (born 1968), an athlete.
• Chilekwa Mumba (born 1984/1985), an environmental activist.
• Elias Munshya (born 1978), a diplomat.
• Richard Moth (born 1958), a Roman Catholic bishop.

See also

In Spanish: Chingola para niños