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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURES
July 26, 2024.
Recognition for Kagem’s Mine Safety Milestone: Over 7.5 Million LTI-free Hours
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KITWE, ZAMBIA – Kagem Mining Limited was awarded a prestigious safety award by the Government of Zambia’s Mines Safety Department, recognising its exceptional achievement of 7,580,144 Lost Time Injury (LTI)-free hours. This landmark accomplishment underscores the emerald mine’s unwavering commitment to strive for workplace safety, employees’ well-being, responsible mining practices and operational excellence.
A Lost Time Injury (LTI) refers to any injury sustained by an employee that results in a loss of productive work time. In the mining industry, maintaining a low LTI rate is crucial and challenging due to the nature of the work environment. Achieving LTI-free hours signifies that a company has successfully implemented and adhered to rigorous safety protocols, ensuring the well-being of its workforce and minimising disruptions to operations. At Kagem, the acceptable Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) is ZERO (0).
The award ceremony was held in Kitwe and attended by key figures in the mining industry, government officials, union representatives, Lufwanyama local authority representatives, namely: the Lufwanyama’s District Commissioner, Mr Justin Mwalikwa, the Kagem Mining Limited Chairman, Dr Sixtus Mulenga, the Chief Inspector of Mines at the Mines Safety Department, Mr Lubinda Kamutumwa, the Kagem Mining Limited Board Director, Mr Boniface Mutale, the Mine Workers’ Union of Zambia representative, Mr George Mumba, the President of the National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW), Mr Saul Simujika, and the Lufwanyama Council Chairperson, Ms Annie Kapandula.
The Chief Inspector of Mines, Mr Lubinda Kamutumwa spoke on behalf of the Director of the Mines Safety Department, Mr Fred Banda and stated that: “I extend my deepest gratitude to Kagem for their exemplary dedication to safety. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and commitment of every member of the Kagem team. Looking forward, I believe that Kagem will continue to set the standard for safety in the mining industry.”
Kagem’s Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality (SHEQ) department has a notable history of achievements. In 2023, Kagem became the first company in Africa to be certified to the Environmental Social and Governance Clarity Platform, reflecting its commitment to sustainable and responsible mining practices.
Kagem’s Chairman, Dr Sixtus Mulenga, said “This achievement is not just a number; it represents the dedication, hard work, and commitment to safety by every member of the Kagem team. The certification we are about to receive from the Mines Safety Department is a testament to our steadfast commitment to safety and health. It is a recognition that every employee, every safety protocol, and every hour of hard work has contributed to making Kagem a beacon of safety excellence in the mining industry.”
Zambia’s mining regulation 1601(4) requires that “the manager shall ensure that, on the form prescribed in sub-regulation (5), notice is given to the Chief Inspector of any accident in which any person injured is incapacitated from performing his usual work for more than three days, excluding the day of the accident but including weekends or official holidays”.
The award from the Mines Safety Department highlights Kagem’s role as a leader in the mining industry, setting new standards for safety and operational excellence. As Kagem celebrates this achievement, the company remains dedicated to further enhancing its safety protocols and maintaining its position as a model for responsible mining practices.
The Lufwanyama’s District Commissioner, Mr Justin Mwalikwa, said: “This remarkable milestone is a testament to your dedication, hard work, and commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards. Your efforts not only ensure the safety and well-being of your employees, but also significantly contribute to the overall development and prosperity of Lufwanyama district.
In 2022, Kagem, which is owned 75% by Gemfields and 25% by the government’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), achieved certifications for ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System, ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, and ISO 9001 Quality Management System. Earlier milestones include achieving 3,599,678 LTI-free hours in 2015 and 3,127,934 LTI-free hours in 2014.
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CONTACT
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Helena Choudhury
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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 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 | YouTubeFabergé: Fabergé.com | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
Kagem Mining: LinkedInMontepuez Ruby Mining: LinkedIn