FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURES 
JANUARY 6, 2022

FQM TRAINS ZAMBIANS FOR LEADERSHIP ROLES

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The country’s largest copper mine intensifies its pro-Zambian approach 

SOLWEZI, ZAMBIA – First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has embarked on a new training programme to mould talented staff into capable leaders. 

The General Manager’s Leadership Development Programme builds on the success of the mining company’s CEO training programme that saw seven talented employees receive mentorship and training in senior management roles to drive long-term sustainable growth.  

“Twenty years ago, FQM had an annual copper output of about 10,000 tonnes, and as of 2020 we are producing over 779,000 tonnes – which shows the rapid rate at which we are growing,” explained FQM’s Kansanshi Mining General Manager Anthony Mukutuma. 

“What has become clear over the years is that we cannot maintain this growth without having a steady pipeline of leaders to underpin this growth.”

Mr Mukutuma’, who is the first Zambian to hold the role of General Manager at Kansanshi Mine, said: “We started leadership training about four years ago with the FQML CEO training programme. The CEO programme ran concurrently with other initiatives like the secondary school and university scholarships programmes and skills training in partnership with the Trade School in Solwezi and other training providers. However, these initiatives only give us the skills and trades we need in practical fields – so what do we do in terms of getting new leaders and managers to run the business?” 

“The challenge is that you won’t get into the market and come out with people who readily understand what motivates us and our core values as FQM. We have tried recruiting from the outside and it has proved inefficient because a lot of man hours and resources are spent trying to get the new recruit up to speed with the way we do things. Our approach has always been to primarily look within for people we can develop  into ‘ready-now’ leaders to support the forecast growth. Our goal is to ensure that as we grow, we have capable leaders to grow with us.” he said.

During the selection process, department heads and team leaders recommend five to six people from their team who displayed exceptional specialist skills and commitment in their area of expertise. The prospective trainees were then put through a series of psychometric and cognitive tests by an independent third party to ensure candidates are selected on merit.

“The nomination happens at all levels so that no talent is missed. From an initial shortlist of 40 candidates, we ended up with six individuals who were admitted into the training programme. After only a few months of training we have seen significant growth in the trainees, in the way they are applying themselves in their current roles and in how they are interacting within their teams and with other stakeholders. This shows the value of the training.”

The company has partnered with world renowned leadership trainers FranklinCovey to facilitate the training, with influential leaders within FQM and the General Manager himself spearheading the mentorship part of the programme.

Programme participant Masida Gondwe – an ICT Development and Integration Specialist – said the programme had helped her gain the confidence to try innovative solutions to various operational problems the mine may face.  

“The training has helped me embrace FQM’s core values, ‘Bolder, Smarter, Driven, Together’ in my everyday tasks. I am now bold enough to introduce new approaches to how certain departments operate and overcome challenges thereby helping to improve the company’s efficiency,” she said.

Human Resource Specialist Ethel Chasha-Cruz, who is also a trainee under the programme, noted that such programmes played an invaluable role in building a rich reserve of capable leaders in the Zambian labour pool. 

“One of the key focus areas for the training is how honest introspection can help one form more meaningful partnerships with their team-mates. Thanks to the training, I am now able to work on the most critical parts of myself that would otherwise affect my relationship with my team.” 

And FQM Senior Mining Engineer – Blasting and Technical Services Samson Mutema added that there was need for more companies to invest in upskilling their employees and allow them to reach their full potential. 

He said that most companies today promoted their staff based mainly on their technical ability without considering their leadership skills thus stagnating the firm’s growth due to poor leadership. 

“With all the benefits advancements in technology and digitalisation have brought, they have had a telling impact on corporate leadership in that most people today delegate their responsibilities to machines and gadgets – neglecting the importance of building genuine interpersonal connections with their team. A good leader leads from the front, they work closely with their people to bring the best out of each individual as opposed to having a digital barrier between them and the team. It is difficult to form fruitful synergies with your team without direct engagement,” he explained.

“Most of the time when you are being promoted into a new role you are moved based on your technical abilities. But few people are taken through the process of changing the way they work. In a leadership role, it is not just about your abilities but also about the relationship you have with your team and how you can bring out the best in them. Through the General Managers’ training programme, I have learned how to better engage with my direct reports and other colleagues and find common ground in our individual work philosophies to optimise operations.”  

“The programme has taught me to look within and see how best I can fine-tune my abilities so that within five years I can be a leader in either FQM or the wider industry,” he concluded. 

Plans for the next cohort GMPs are already in place in a quest to continue developing leaders. In the typical First Quantum way, learnings from the maiden initiative will be taken on board to improve the programme.

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About First Quantum Minerals Ltd 
First Quantum Minerals Ltd is a global metals and mining company producing mainly copper, gold and zinc. The company’s assets are in Zambia, Spain, Mauritania, Australia, Finland, Turkey, Panama, Argentina and Peru.
In 2020, First Quantum globally produced 779,000 tonnes of copper, 265,000 ounces of gold and 13,000 tonnes of nickel.
In Zambia it operates the Kansanshi mine – the largest copper mine in Africa by production – and smelter and the Sentinel mine in Kalumbila.
The company is listed on the Lusaka and Toronto stock exchanges.
http://www.first-quantum.com

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