Thought I would post something on roads in the roads thread for...

Thought I would post something on roads in the roads thread for a change.

I worked out a few distances for different routes. A possible route that has been brought up lately is one going south by road 617 (currently being up graded, which should be sealed by the end of 2020) to meet up with the rail at Luambo.

Going South
The distance from Manono to Luambo via the sealed road is 474 km.
At Luambo the product can be loaded onto rail. From Luambo to Kasama via rail is 1175 km.
Minimal Cost for road seeing it will already be sealed.
The distance via road is less compared to going east therefore a safer operation.
Rail will have a greater cost for transporting the 1175 km extra distance.

Going East (Option 4 in the 5 Mta SS)
The distance going east from Manono to Kasama via the hydro power station is 673 km.
The cost of upgrading the road east will be significant.
Save on rail transportation cost (1175 km shorter).




IMO the option or going South as the best option initially to minimise capital up front cost. Maybe the road going east can be upgraded once the mine becomes operational and sales money is generated.