Chingola is a city in Zambia's Copperbelt Province, the country's copper-mining region, with a population of 157,340 (2008 census). It is the home of Nchanga Copper Mine, a deep-shaft high-grade content copper mining operation, which subsequently (in the 1960s) led to the development of two open pit operations, Chingola Open Pit and then Nchanga Open Pit (the latter being the second largest open cast mine in the world). Chingola was founded somewhat later than the cities in the south-eastern half of the Copperbelt, in 1943, when the Nchanga Mine was started up. It is known to be the cleanest town in Zambia. It is the home of the legendary Chingola High School. Chingola is also a city with famous names such as Mwandila, Phiri, Musonda and Mulenga. Nchanga Mines Open Pit workings lie in an arc 11 km long around the west and north of the town, covering nearly 30 km². The deepest part of the pit is 400 m lower than the surrounding plateau. See Copperbelt Province for the history of the copper-mining industry. A freight-only branch of Zambian Railways services the town from Kitwe. The branch includes the movement of copper ore to the smelters at Nkana in Kitwe. In 2013, a direct link to the Benguela Railway in Angola is proposed. In Chingola, the main road to Lubumbashi in DR Congo via Chililabombwe and Konkola branches off the main Copperbelt highway running south-east from Kitwe going north-west to Solwezi. There´s also an airport with IATA code CGJ in Chingola. Chingola is rated 5th on the most developed Cities in Zambia. The town has two hospitals: Nchanga North General Hospital (Government-owned, bed capacity 283) and Nchanga South Hospital (privately owned by the KCM (Konkola Copper Mines Plc), bed capacity about 100). Hippo Pool on the Kafue River, 10 km north.. Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage, a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees lies 60 km north-west of Chingola. Kapisha Hot Spring the only hot spring in Chingola. Elevation = 1363m Population = 53,971 Samuel Matete (born 1968), Zambian athlete Siwakwi Borniface (born 1979), Zambian Mining Engineer majored in Rock Mechanics [ Copperbelt University]. Felix Bwalya (born 1970), Zambian boxer (d. 1997) Jacoline Loewen (born 1960), Zambian writer, author of The Power of Strategy and e-Business by Struik New Holland, and Money Magnet by Wiley. Christine Smith (nee Anderson) (born 1959) Teacher, children's advocate, and education officer Chingola is good place to live. It has excellent climate and people. Coordinates: 12°32′S 27°51′E Country Flag of Zambia.svg Zambia Province Copperbelt Province District Chingola District Elevation 4,472 ft (1,363 m) Population (2008) • Total 157,340