Mwinilunga is a town in the North-Western Province of Zambia. It is the headquarters of Mwinilunga District, one of the province's eleven districts. Location The town lies on the west bank of the West Lunga River, along the Chingola–Solwezi–Mwinilunga Road (T5 Road of Zambia), which continues north-westwards to Caianda, in Angola. Mwinilunga is located approximately , by road, west of Solwezi, the provincial capital. Another tarmacked state road (D286 Road of Zambia), leads south to Kabompo, the capital of Kabompo District. Kabompo town is approximately south of Mwinilunga. Mwinilunga sits in the extreme north-western corner of the country, close to the international borders with Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The geographical coordinates of Mwinilunga, Zambia are:11°43'02.0"S, 24°25'44.0"E (Latitude:-11.717222; Longitude:24.428889). The average elevation of the town is above mean sea level. Overview Due to its proximity with Angola and DR Congo, Mwinilunga would have benefited from trade with the two neighboring countries. Poor roads, human conflict and lack of collective political will in the three countries, have so far prevented any meaningful trade policy from developing. The Zambezi River originates in Ikelenge District, in a community called Kalene Hill, approximately north of Mwinilunga town. Population The town had a population estimated at 14,500 in 2006. The Chilunda-speaking Kanongesha-Lunda people are the largest ethnic group, and are related to the Chibemba-speaking Kazembe-Lunda of Luapula Province. In 1990, the census carried out that year, put the town's population at 6,342 people. In 2000, the population was 10,745 inhabitants. During the 2010 national census, the population of Mwinilunga was enumerated at 15,704 people. The table below illustrates the same data in tabular format. Climate This is one of the wettest places in Zambia with annual rainfall of about falling in the rainy season from October to May. Education Mwinilunga Secondary School is the largest school to date in town. Government and community schools are scattered in the neighborhoods surrounding the metropolitan area, and provide education for children from nursery through high school. Mwinilunga is also home to The Sakeji School, a primary boarding school. Economy Forest Fruits Limited has been operating in Mwinilunga since 1998, successfully working with over 7,000 beekeepers in the region to export organic honey to the European market. The company also employs about 100 staff. Kasenseli Gold Mine See: Mining in Zambia Kasenseli Gold Mine In early August 2019 gold deposits were discovered and confirmed by experts