FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURE
12 APRIL, 2023
The presidents of Zambia and Mozambique compliment Kagem and MRM’s economic impact and youth investment
BEIRA, MOZAMBIQUE – The economic impact of the mining sector in Zambia and Mozambique was highlighted at the Mozambique-Zambia Business Forum in Beira, when President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi of Mozambique visited the joint presentation of Kagem Mining and Montepuez Ruby Mining (MRM).
The Business Forum event aims to accelerate trade and investment between Zambia and Mozambique, strengthening partnerships between both countries.
Kagem and MRM had the opportunity to share with both presidents the social impact that these mining operations have in Lufwanyama, Zambia and Montepuez, Mozambique respectively, where they have contributed a total of ZMW166 million (USD 8.5 million) in projects to benefit local communities in addition to the unprecedented contribution that coloured gemstones have made of ZMW7.2 billion (USD 371 million) in taxes, royalties and dividends to both countries.
This was an unprecedented event, in that it is the first time that the president of a country that is home to one of the world’s single largest producer of emeralds (Zambia) met with the president of a country that is home to the world’s biggest ruby producers (Mozambique), highlighting the relevance of the mining sector to their countries.
“The knowledge sharing in the mining sector crucial. With the needed knowledge, mining sector can generate major income and improve the lives of our communities”, said President Nyusi.
During his visit to Kagem and MRM’s stand, the President Nyusi highlighted that it was great to see both companies had young people front facing and leading the exhibition.
During his speech, President Hichilema addressed Gemfields, which operates the two mines in partnership with local organisations, saying: “We visited Gemfields’ stand and I am sure that you are proud that Zambia is the leading producer of emeralds, overtaking Colombia, and that Mozambique is also a leader on ruby production”.
Gemfields strives to be the partner of choice for African host governments seeking to make the most of their coloured gemstones resources. With Gemfields as a partner, both governments are now the #1 exporters in the world of these mineral resources.
-Ends-
CONTACT
Enquiries
Gillian Langmead
Langmead & Baker Ltd
Tel: +260 979 060705
info@langmead.com
Head office
Helena Choudhury
Head of PR and Communications
Tel: +44 (0)207 518 3420
helena.choudhury@gemfields.com
Albertina Namburete
PR Manager
Tel: +44 (0)783 325 7387
Albertina.namburete@gemfields.com
Kagem responsible sourcing highlights
- Kagem is committed to ensuring that the community continues to benefit positively from its operations through various sustainability programmes focused on alleviating poverty and aligned with government policies, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Vision 2030
- The mine has spent more than USD 2.8 million on community projects, including:
- Rehabilitation of the 18.7km road connecting Chief Nkana and Chief Lumpuma’s chiefdoms from Kandole to Kafwaya village in Lufwanyama district
- Construction of the Nkana Health Centre
- Construction and equipping of a new Chapula Secondary School
- Construction of new buildings at Chapula Primary School
- Building of teachers’ accommodation at Kapila Community School
- Support for the Blessing, Kapila Green Farms, Twende and Twasanta projects
- Improvements to Chief Nkana and Chief Lumpuma’s palaces
- Kagem has renewed its partnership with both the Copperbelt University (CBU) and the University of Zambia (UNZA), committing to new scholarship programmes totalling USD 345,000. This follows the previous commitment of USD 345,000 to sponsor students from the geological and mining engineering departments at the School of Mines at UNZA and CBU over a period of eight years.
- Kagem has pledged USD 220,000 to support the Lumpuma Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society farming initiative.
- Kagem currently provides 1,150 direct jobs, with 94% of the workforce being local.
About Kagem Mining
Kagem Mining Ltd, based in Lufwanyama, is believed to be the world’s single largest producing emerald mine. Kagem is 75% owned by Gemfields, in a model partnership with the Zambian government.
Kagem aims to emulate the values of Gemfields and operate in a way that contributes positively to the national economy, while taking a leading role in modernising the coloured gemstone sector and building sustainable livelihoods for the communities around the mine. Kagem believes that coloured gemstones should be mined and marketed by championing three key values – transparency, legitimacy and integrity.
Gemfields is a world-leading responsible miner and marketer of coloured gemstones. In addition to Kagem, Gemfields is the operator and 75% owner of Montepuez Ruby Mining in Mozambique (at one of the most significant recently discovered ruby deposits in the world), as well as bulk sampling licences in Ethiopia, amongst others.
Gemfields has developed a proprietary grading system and a pioneering auction and trading platform to provide a consistent supply of coloured gemstones to the global jewellery market.
Fabergé – an iconic name with an exceptional heritage – is a member of the Gemfields Group. The beauty of Fabergé’s designs and craftsmanship, helps to raise consumer awareness of responsibly sourced coloured gemstones.
As well as supplying a significant share of the world’s rough rubies and emeralds, Gemfields initiates activations to build desire for coloured gemstones: for example, collaborations with international jewellery brands and other creative partners. Often surprising, unexpected and unique, these collaborations are chosen to promote consumer awareness and increase the appeal of coloured gemstones, raising their profile, and, in turn, providing greater benefit to their place of origin in Africa.
Gemfields: Gemfields.com | Investors | Foundation | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
Fabergé: Fabergé.com | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
Kagem Mining: LinkedIn
Montepuez Ruby Mining: LinkedIn