The area east of the mine had uneconomical levels of copper, while the western end had been partially mined by Gécamines and more recently by DCP (Democratic Republic of Congo Copper and Cobalt Project).[who?]

The remaining inferred mineral resource was 4 million tonnes of ore at a grade of 1.44% copper and 0.74% cobalt.

In May 2004 GEC signed a preliminary agreement with the state-owned Gécamines, finalized in September that year, to rehabilitate and operate the Kananga and Tilwezembe copper mines.

Gertler and Steinmetz placed GEC'S 75% share in KOV into Nikanor plc, registered in the Isle of Man.

Nikanor's stock was listed on the LSE's Alternative Investment Market in London in July 2006.