FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 20, 2023
87,000 EXERCISE BOOKS FOR 30+ SOLWEZI SCHOOLS
SOLWEZI, ZAMBIA – FQM has handed over 87,000 books to the Ministry of Education in the Solwezi District of North Western Province. This generous donation will go to benefit vulnerable learners in 34 schools within the district, providing them with access to much-needed, quality educational resources.
FQM is committed to investing in the local community and is dedicated to the development and well-being of the people living in the area. The exercise books given will help to improve literacy and education in Solwezi.
Kansanshi Mining Plc (KMP) Corporate Affairs Manager, Kyansenga Chitoshi, said the mine is aware of government efforts to ensure more children have access to education and that Kansanshi is mindful of the fact that while education is free, there are other school requirements such as exercise books and uniforms that come at a great cost.
“We understand the challenges,” said Mrs Chitoshi. “This is our small way of saying we hope our children can start the year on a positive note with some new exercise books.”
“We believe that education is the key to a brighter future and we are committed to doing our part to support the development of the next generation,” she went on to add.
The schools and communities set to benefit from this consignment of educational material have expressed their gratitude for the support the mine continues to render. Solwezi District Education Board Secretary, Jonathan Kayuka, said that while the government is implementing the free education policy, the provision of all necessary materials such as exercise books, uniforms, and shoes among others, cannot be achieved without backing from partners like Kansanshi Mining Plc.
Mr Kayuka said the donation of 87,000 exercise books relieves parents from the pressure of buying exercise books, especially for those who cannot afford them.
“This is a different form of support that the company is rendering the Ministry as it directly benefits the parents who will be relieved of the pressure to buy books for their children. More so, the vulnerable families whose children could have started attending school without books to write in,” he stated.
And Mr Alex Mukuta, who spoke on behalf of the parents, thanked Kansanshi Mining Plc for lifting their burden through the donation.
“Kansanshi is here to cooperate with the community, to cooperate with the people that are found here where this mine is and also the people that are around Kansanshi Mine. This burden that you have offloaded off our shoulders will really be felt because every term every parent was burdened with buying books, pencils and other needs but it will no longer be the case,’ he said.
Ends
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.
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