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SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

FQM RIDES ON KANSANSHI CYCLING’S SUCCESS TO FOSTER SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AMONG YOUTHS

Mining firm mitigates youth unemployment in North-Western Province through sport.

SOLWEZI, ZAMBIA – Since its first introduction in 2012 by First Quantum Minerals’ Kansanshi Cycling Academy, competitive cycling has become one of the most effective tools by which youths in North-Western Province explore alternative employment prospects outside mining.

“Sport plays an important role in promoting socioeconomic development among youths by providing them with a means to acquire skills and mental attributes that help expand their career prospects,” said FQM’s Kansanshi Mining Plc Public Relations Manager, Godfrey Msiska.

Studies by several experts the world over including Behavioural Scientist at Cornell University, Professor Kevin Kniffin show that sport if harnessed at a grassroot level can build character, self-confidence, and a hunger for success among participating young adults.

“Our philosophy as First Quantum Minerals is that wherever we operate, we must improve the standard of living in surrounding communities,” explained Mr. Msiska. 

“The goal is to ensure that we leave a legacy through which local communities will remember the FQM even after the mine reaches the end of its life. We want residents to remember that this mine came, created employment opportunities, helped to run the local health and education systems on top of leaving something for us to sustain our lives.”

He added that: “That is why the company has spent a substantial amount of money developing youth sports across all demographics. If you hope to build future champions, you must start them very young. That’s why we as First Quantum Minerals, are very keen to develop sports at an early age in our catchment areas.”

Mr. Msiska noted that the mine was committed to inculcating a winning mentality among the local youths through sport and impart them with the ability to recognize and exploit nontraditional career opportunities and ease their reliance on the region’s mining operations.  

First Quantum Minerals, (FQM) through its Kansanshi Sports Foundation, has continued to support a variety of sporting disciplines in communities around its catchment area. The mine’s goal is to work with local youths through sustainable partnerships that explore ways in which young people can build more fulfilling lives and careers; with sport serving as a catalyst for a positive mindset shift.

Kansanshi Sports Foundation Manager, Ryan Ellis said that: “It is important to remember that sport as an industry is a very important influencer of people’s lifestyles.”

“So, when we introduce sports programmes in the community, it is not just people running around and riding their bikes. What it means, is that people get attracted to healthier habits. It pulls them away from drinking and other bad habits that people would pick up if they are bored,” he continued.

Mr. Ellis noted that for youth sport to reach its full potential in Zambia in terms of helping young people dig themselves out of poverty, there was urgent need for stakeholders to pool their resources to grow the industry beyond football.

“Kansanshi cycling’s success has only been made possible through dedicated support from FQM, local communities, traditional leaders, as well as government agencies,” explained Mr. Ellis.

“If our success in North-western Province could be replicated in other parts of the country, we could see the rebirth of one of Zambia’s favourite industries resulting in improved contribution to national GDP and a measurable positive knockdown effect on local communities in the context of sustainable youth empowerment.”  

FQM supports several sports disciplines in North-western Province including cycling, rowing, football, athletics, and swimming.

Through the Kansanshi Sports Foundation, the company has also partnered with the Kansanshi Golf Estate to promote golf, tennis, pool, squash, putting, beach volleyball, and netball in schools as part of a broad programme aimed at improving the quality of education and expanding career prospects for Solwezi residents.

If more stakeholders take the initiative to promote sport development at grassroot level, the benefits for rural populations and the country at large could be far reaching as sport, being a multi-billion-dollar industry, can be a sustainable source of income if adequately exploited.

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About First Quantum Minerals Ltd

First Quantum Minerals Ltd is a global metals and mining company producing mainly copper, gold, nickel and zinc. The company’s assets are located in Zambia, Spain, Mauritania, Australia, Finland, Turkey, Panama, Argentina and Peru.
In 2017, First Quantum produced 573,963 tonnes of copper, 199,736 ounces of gold and 17,837 tonnes of nickel.
In Zambia, it operates the Kansanshi mine – the largest copper mine in Africa – and smelter and the Sentinel mine in Kalumbila.
The company is listed on the Lusaka and Toronto stock exchanges.
http://www.first-quantum.com/

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