FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURE
MAY 8 2024

Kagem Mining welcomes national drive to upskill workforce

LUFWANYAMA, ZAMBIA – On May 1, Kagem Mining Limited (Kagem) took part in the joint Labour Day celebrations, held at the Lufwanyama Boarding School Hall, which brought together representatives from government, mining companies, trade unions, as well as others operating in Lufwanyama, demonstrating its solidarity with the broader labour community across the district. At the occasion, Kagem welcomed the government’s call to bolster productivity in the workplace through continuous improvement and upskilling of staff to create an increasingly capable workforce. 

The Lufwanyama’s District Commissioner, Mr. Justin Mwalikwa, said, “In an effort to have a skilled labour force that responds to the needs of the industry, government has continued to engage skills training institutions, as well as support young people to acquire relevant skills. I encourage all the young people in the district to take advantage of grants under CDF and others to pursue skills training from trades training institutes and colleges.”  

Kagem recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) to support the training of the mine’s staff in industry-specific skills such as mechanics, electrics, applied sciences, business studies and automotive and heavy equipment repair. The mine also conducts regular internal training sessions throughout its departments.  

The 2024 Labour Day theme ‘Building Resilience: Workers at the heart of Zambia’s Economic Recovery’ brings to the fore the importance and need for a skilled and engaged workforce if the country is to effectively implement and achieve its economic growth goals within the projected and desired timeframes. 

“The restoration and transformation of the economy cannot be realised without the dedication and commitment of our workers,” added Mr. Mwalikwa. 

About the event, Kagem’s General Manager, Adriaan Prinsloo commented, “Zambia is at a vital economic turning point and productivity across the sectors hinge on the output of employees. Kagem continues to prioritise employee welfare, recognition, and development as an integral part of its human resources management strategy in a bid to promote a supportive and inclusive work environment.”  

“We are keen to keep up the momentum and ensure that our staff are well-equipped to conduct the day-to-day functions, and that they are up-to-date in their training in line with industry standards. Kagem has in place programmes to that effect,” he added. 

During the event, long-serving staff from Kagem were among those awarded for exemplary years of service, including 30 Kagem employees, who demonstrated exceptional dedication and were presented with awards under the categories of Most Hard Working, Most Dedicated and Most Improved. In total, 91 of Kagem’s employees were awarded for their outstanding contributions, which not only exemplified the company’s values but also inspired others to strive for excellence.  

Kagem’s dedication to skills enhancement in the district extends to the surrounding community, with plans for the construction of the Chapula Vocational Training Centre in Lufwanyama. The mine is working with the Ministry of Technology and Science, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture to facilitate critical aspects of the initiative’s implementation. Once completed, the infrastructure will be handed over to TEVETA, which will be responsible for conducting various skills training programmes to improve the employability of local youth and residents in the area in line with government’s Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) policy. 

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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 / +44 (0)7493 237598
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.
• Up to December 2022, Kagem had spent USD 3 million on community projects, and has committed further.
• Kagem constructed, expanded and rehabilitated 5 schools providing education to more than 2,000 students.
• Kagem committed USD 345,000 on top of previous provisions of USD 345,000 in university scholarships in geology and mining engineering.
• Kagem and Gemfields Foundation built and equipped two computer labs at Kapila Primary School and Chapula Secondary School.
• Kagem constructed 1 fully equipped health centre, the Nkana Health Centre, serving a population of 10,000.
• Kagem improved Chief Nkana and Chief Lumpuma’s palaces and rehabilitated 18.7km road connecting Chief Nkana and Chief Lumpuma’s chiefdoms.
• Kagem provides support to 7 farming associations benefiting more than 100 farmers and their families.
• Kagem supports the Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP) having committed a total of USD 400,000  since 2018 to 2027 and provided a one-off donation of USD 70,000 to the North Luangwa Conservation Programme (NLCP).
• Kagem signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Zambia to fund the construction of the Chapula Vocational Training Centre in Lufwanyama.
• Kagem employs more than 1,000 people, of which, 94% are Zambian nationals.

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 mined 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