FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURE
MARCH 25, 2022

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS CENTRE GETS INTO SHAPE AT KANSANSHI MINE

SOLWEZI, ZAMBIA – First Quantum Minerals has opened the first specialised work physical fitness and rehabilitation centre in Zambia, and one of the first in southern Africa, at its Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi to help mine employees recovering from injuries and prolonged illness.

The move expands on the company’s commitment to long-term employee wellbeing through measures that include healthy meals in the staff canteen and employee access to well-equipped gyms in the communities where they live in.

The new US$100,000 rehabilitation centre is equipped with state-of-the-art fitness equipment and will be staffed by professional fitness trainers, rehabilitation therapists, nutritionists, and psychotherapists to provide a comprehensive recovery pathway for employees who will enrol in fitness and wellness programmes.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Kansanshi Mining General Manager, Anthony Mukutuma said the centre would also be a way to ensure maximum productivity is achieved by employees.

“The value of this building is going to be great; we already have people that are on rehabilitation programmes, but we didn’t have a place for them that was well thought through and specialised to help them recover. The main idea is to get employees back to work as quickly as possible with the discipline of being able to get onto the job and hit the ground running. We always talk about productivity at the mine and a key component of that is the wellness and fitness of employees. We are being proactive about getting our people fit and healthy, with the right professional support so that they can be productive.”

And Site Health Services Superintendent Leonie Kloppers said the centre would help employees move from a place of hopelessness after injury to showing faith in their recovery by giving them the proper tools, expertise, and resources to aid them in their journey.

“Research tells us that staying at work has important health and wellbeing benefits; early return to work helps prevent long-term disability and improves the likelihood of an individual continuing to work. I have every faith that the facility is going to improve return-to-work times and boost employee motivation as employees are transitioned back into work mode through physical exercise, nutrition guidance and counselling. They don’t have to feel as though they are disabled and unable to work, there is hope and we are here to help them in their recovery process.”

The programme includes real-life work scenario stations with work-oriented exercises to make their transition as comfortable as possible. The employees will be guided by trainers who will guide them through every stage of their recovery to ensure that progress is being made at a fair pace.

FQM’s work rehabilitation coordinator Justin Bwalya emphasised the exercise programmes were meant to increase strength, flexibility, mobility and overall physical capacity to restore physical function and ensure sustained productivity for as long as possible.

“When someone has had injury, physiotherapy and exercise play a critical role in restoring physical function; we can’t separate physical function from the social and mental wellbeing of an individual. Being unable to work affects morale and increases stress. With these rehabilitation programmes, the individual will be able to work better and find their work tasks easier to perform, enhancing the recovery process, which will have a spill over effect into enhanced productivity.”

Using its seven health pillars, the mining firm is focusing on the workplace and the community with epidemic preparedness, HIV/AIDS/TB, malaria, water hygiene and sanitation, non-communicable health diseases, Health systems strengthening and girl/child empowerment initiatives.

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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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