The population of Lumwana was estimated at less than 1,000 in 1999. With 1,000 new homes constructed in the town since then, it is estimated that the population of the town in 2010 was approximately 5,000.
Economy
Prior to 1999, Lumwana was a rural village. In 1999, Equinox Minerals Limited acquired the nearby Lumwana Copper Mine. Over the next 10 years, working with its Zambian subsidiary, Lumwana Mining Company Limited, Equinox carried out feasibility studies, sourced financing and constructed the present infrastructure. The mine was commissioned in December 2008 and is the largest employer in the town. In July 2011, Barrick Gold acquired a 100% interest in Lumwana mine. As of second quarter 2013, the mine employed approximately 1,850 employees and 4,400 contractors. In addition to copper, the mine also produces cobalt, gold, and uranium. ;Lumwana Multi-Facility Economic Zone An economic development zone, called Lumwana Multi-Facility Economic Zone, is being developed around the mining operations, to include among others; manufacturing, agroprocessing, hotels, and resorts.
Transport
Lumwana is connected to Solwezi, the capital of North Western Province, by a paved road. The closest air transport facilities are in Solwezi and Mwinilunga. There are also two old gravel airstrips within of Lumwana. These can handle light aircraft. One of the airstrips, located in the northern part of Chief Mukumbi’s area has been historically used by the Flying Doctor Service. Plans to build a rail line from Chingola, through Lumwana, to join the Angolan Benguela Railway east of Luacano, have reached an advanced stage. In September 2013, the Government of the Republic of Zambia expressed its intentions to advertise the North-West Railway project to both local and foreign investors who would be interested to develop the infrastructure.
Points of interest within the town of Lumwana or in the local area include:
The offices of the Lumwana Town Council
Lumwana Farmers Market — the largest source of fresh produce in the town.
Lumwana Copper Mine - A private copper mine that employs over 3,800 people, owned by Equinox Minerals Limited and its Zambian subsidiary, the Lumwana Mining Company Limited.
