[6] The conservation area measures approximately 2,590 square kilometres (1,000 sq mi) with the Kifubwa Stream Cave at its centre.

[6] Solwezi features a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cwa)[7] with distinct wet and dry seasons.

Copper is the main mineral extracted although cobalt, gold and uranium is also mined in the area.

[1][10] The adjacent Kalumbila District hosts Lumwana Mine, located about 65 km or 40 mi west of Solwezi; and Kalumbila Mine, located about 140 km or 87 mi west of Solwezi, and run by Barrick Gold.

The deposits at Lumwana were discovered in 1961, but no serious work was carried out there until Equinox Minerals Limited became involved in 1999.

[11] Kaonde is the largest tribe represented in Solwezi, in addition to large numbers of Lunda and Luvale speaking people.

The Kaonde is a tribe that, like the Lunda people, are descendants of the Luba-Lunda Empire of Congo.