A gargantuan piece of mining equipment, known as the Cold Box Unit, has embarked on an impressive trek from the Katima Mulilo Border in Western Zambia to Solwezi’s Kansanshi Mine in North Western Province. This equipment, essential to mining operations, spans a remarkable 64 meters in length, 5.7 meters in width, and 7.2 meters in height. Weighing 154 metric tonnes with an overall Gross Vehicle Mass of 224 metric tonnes, it is one of the largest loads to traverse Zambian roads.
The Cold Box Unit’s journey is carefully coordinated by the Road Development Agency (RDA) to ensure the equipment’s safe passage and minimal disruption to traffic. Since beginning its voyage, the abnormal load has traveled across several provinces and made night stops at toll plazas and safe locations to ensure road safety and logistical efficiency.It inadvertently has attracted large crowds of curious and excited onlookers.
Yesterday, after covering 18 kilometers from near Twalumba Resort and Hotels at 11 miles, the Cold Box parked overnight at Katuba Toll Plaza in Chibombo District. This morning, it is scheduled to resume its movement, toward its final destination.
The RDA has strategically mapped out a route that minimizes congestion, avoiding the Lusaka CBD through the 70/70 Bypass Road and coordinating with the Zambia Police Service, the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), and local authorities for the safety of road users. Along the journey, road users are urged to observe caution, maintain a safe distance, and avoid climbing onto the machinery.
Over recent days, the Cold Box Unit has passed through several towns and cities, including Mazabuka, Kafue, and Choma, traveling hundreds of kilometers with regular stops. This highly coordinated journey, undertaken to deliver a critical asset to Kansanshi Mine, is expected to continue through key locations such as Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi, and Ndola before reaching Solwezi.
Public safety remains a top priority, with the RDA urging viewers to refrain from touching or approaching the load as it passes. The agency has commended the public’s cooperation and continues to release updates to alert drivers and residents of any potential delays.
The Cold Box Unit’s monumental journey underscores Zambia’s commitment to supporting its mining sector while managing the complexities of transporting oversized equipment across the country’s road network.
Massive Mining Equipment Hauls Through Zambia: The Journey of the Cold Box Unit
Chibombo, Zambia – A gargantuan piece of mining equipment, known as the Cold Box Unit, has embarked on an impressive trek from the Katima Mulilo Border in Western Zambia to Solwezi’s Kansanshi Mine in North Western Province. This equipment, essential to mining operations, spans a remarkable 64 meters in length, 5.7 meters in width, and 7.2 meters in height. Weighing 154 metric tonnes with an overall Gross Vehicle Mass of 224 metric tonnes, it is one of the largest loads to traverse Zambian roads.
The Cold Box Unit’s journey is carefully coordinated by the Road Development Agency (RDA) to ensure the equipment’s safe passage and minimal disruption to traffic. Since beginning its voyage, the abnormal load has traveled across several provinces and made night stops at toll plazas and safe locations to ensure road safety and logistical efficiency.
Yesterday, after covering 18 kilometers from near Twalumba Resort and Hotels at 11 miles, the Cold Box parked overnight at Katuba Toll Plaza in Chibombo District. This morning, it resumed its movement, continuing along the Great North Road toward its final destination.
The RDA has strategically mapped out a route that minimizes congestion, avoiding the Lusaka CBD through the 70/70 Bypass Road and coordinating with the Zambia Police Service, the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), and local authorities for the safety of road users. Along the journey, road users are urged to observe caution, maintain a safe distance, and avoid climbing onto the machinery.
Over recent days, the Cold Box Unit has passed through several towns and cities, including Mazabuka, Kafue, and Choma, traveling hundreds of kilometers with regular stops. This highly coordinated journey, undertaken to deliver a critical asset to Kansanshi Mine, is expected to continue through key locations such as Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi, and Ndola before reaching Solwezi.
Public safety remains a top priority, with the RDA urging viewers to refrain from touching or approaching the load as it passes. The agency has commended the public’s cooperation and continues to release updates to alert drivers and residents of any potential delays.
The Cold Box Unit’s monumental journey underscores Zambia’s commitment to supporting its mining sector while managing the complexities of transporting oversized equipment across the country’s road network.
This is a wonderful distraction from the nonsense, and hard times we are going through
this accounts for the huge crowds following its journey
For Upnd this is a historical achievement but for us who have been around long enough, remember that such a track made a similar voyage a round 2008( correct me, can’t remember the exact year)
Kikikikikiiiii! Sontapo! We imported the Cold Box Unit which was applauded by kids all along the line of rail.
What can we say, a country shutting down offices and schools to go watch an industrial cargo load.
The same truckers passed through Namibia from Port, and was driving at 40km/hrs, with no crowds. In Zambia it’s going dangerously at 5km/h.
The number of crowds that have kept following this cargo from the time it set on Zambian soil demonstrates the extent idleness and unemployment in the country. It’s nothing to be proud of. While it presents a free pastime for some, the indictment is on those that boast that they have done best and delivered
In any case what is it?. The reporters say nothing of substance really,,”ichimpwena fye”,,,Zambia in the sun for real!!
Chachine, Reporters please do your homework. Consult the numerous engineers we have in Zambia so that they can give you the actual name of this machinery and break down for us all what it is for. I am sure there is nothing “known as the Cold Box Unit” in engineering.
If its a cold box unit it wouldnt be “A gargantuan piece of mining equipment”
Even if you were told you wouldnt understand but apart from that have you ever seen a truck with 30+ sets of wheels even if you is not interest alow the children to witness what maybe a once in a lifetime spectacle
Tell Laura Miti to advise his friends in the Up And Down media team to drape the box in UPND regalia. They’ll embrace the idea and I can assure you that it’ll reach its destination after Christmas
The pertinent question should be: How much electricity does it require? Not how big or important it is