The climate is sub-tropical, with annual rainfall of about 1,200 millimetres (47 in) falling mostly in the October to March period.

[3] The Etoile orebody lies within the copperbelt that stretches from Luanshya in Zambia to Kolwezi in the DRC.

An enlarged oxide cap about 50 metres (160 ft) overlays an inclined stratiform sulphide deposit.

Control of all copper and cobalt exploration and production was given to Gécamines, established as the state mining company.

[7] A 2008 assessment confirmed that there was 13.5 million tonnes of ore in the pit, graded 3.3% copper and 0.55% cobalt.