FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURES
MARCH 4, 2022

FQM TRIDENT COMMITS TO SAFEGUARDING LIFE AND PROPERTY

As the mining firm partners with ZASTI to train 14 Emergency Response Team (ERT) members in Aviation Firefighting

KALUMBILA, ZAMBIA – In its quest to safeguard life and property around its mining operations and in communities neighbouring communities, FQM Trident Limited has partnered with the Zambia Air Service Training Institute (ZASTI) to train 14 Emergency Response Team (ERT) members in aviation firefighting.

The training conducted by ZASTI was in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) airport codes database, which are used in airline operations such as flight planning and air traffic control.

The 14 ERT members will be part of FQM Trident’s 24-hour emergency fire and rescue team, which was set up by the mining firm in Kalumbila to safeguard people’s lives and protect the growing communities near its operations, as well as the town airport.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the emergency Aviation Fire Fighting trainees, ZASTI Principle, Eng. Brig. Gen. Mathias Kyembe said the graduates had been equipped with the knowledge and skills to undertake rescue and firefighting at the basic level, meeting international standards that were applied during the entire training.

He urged the new ERT member to remain professional in their duties and to be prepared to respond to emergencies.

“I want to urge you to understand this very clearly that your role as rescue and fire manager, is very critical. When an incident happens you’ll realise how important you are in the whole arrangement,” he said.

And FQM Trident Assistant General Manager Junior Keyser explained that when the ERT station was opened at Kalumbila Town Development Cooperation (KTDC) offices, there were only two people trained in aviation firefighting, making it difficult to achieve 100 percent preparedness.

“We realised the importance of having a team with equipment and the necessary training to protect lives and property. Today, the story is different as we now have a full station of trained and experienced aviation firefighters. 

“We remain confident that our team will protect the community using the knowledge and skills gained, to reach out, care, and build a sense of fire safety that can make a positive difference in our community,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of his ERT members, Finniber Kaleya commended the mining firm for giving them an opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills in aviation firefighting.

“With the knowledge, we have acquired from this course, I can boldly say we will effectively provide emergency response, mitigation, evacuation and rescue of passengers as well as the aircrew in case of an emergency,” he said.

The station, which will be operated round-the-clock by the ERT team, has been provided with state-of-the-art equipment, including a fire engine, multi-casualty trailer, and utility vehicle, by FQM Trident Limited.

Among the equipment is also a Rosenbauer Buffalo fire engine, which is designed for airport use, can also be used on other structural fires, and has a 4,000-litre water capacity with a 500-litre in-built foam tank and a 135kg dry chemical powder tank equipped with the latest firefighting equipment, a utility vehicle, and a trailer that can treat up to 30 patients at a time.

FQM Trident Limited employs over 6,000 people – predominantly Zambian nationals.

The mine’s presence in Kalumbila District, and North-Western Province as a whole, has had a positive impact on the area’s economy with several off-shoot businesses in transportation, agriculture, hospitality, and other services emerging to cater to the needs of the mine, its employees, and subcontractors.

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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 2021, First Quantum globally produced 816,435   tonnes of copper, 312,492 ounces of gold and 16,818 tonnes of nickel.
In Zambia it operates the Kansanshi mine and smelter in Solwezi and the Sentinel mine in Kalumbila.
The company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
http://www.first-quantum.com/


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