FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURE
AUGUST 22 2024
Kagem first to receive the rolling safety trophy from the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development
LUANSHYA, ZAMBIA – Kagem Mining Limited (Kagem) has been the first company to receive the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary’s Award trophy, in recognition of its admirable safety record.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Dr Hapenga M. Kabeta, presented the trophy to Kagem at the 2024 Inter-Company First Aid Competition held in Luanshya, Copperbelt on the 27 July 2024.
Dr Kapenga said, “This landmark accomplishment underscores [Kagem’s] unwavering commitment to strive for workplace safety, employees’ well-being, responsible mining practices and operational excellence.”
The trophy, henceforth to be given annually to deserving mining companies, highlights Kagem’s commitment to striving to achieve a zero-injury record and to lead the way in safe mining practices in Zambia.
Kagem’s Head of Department for Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality (SHEQ) Benedict Bukoka attributed the milestone to team effort, “This award reflects our team’s relentless commitment to safety and reinforces our resolve to uphold the highest safety standards.”
Mr Bukoka also extended his gratitude to the Government of Zambia, saying, “We commend the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development for their continued support and rigorous safety regulations, which have been instrumental in guiding the entire mining sector towards safer operations. This collaborative effort is crucial for ensuring that the Zambian mining industry remains a safe and productive environment for all.”
The trophy closely follows another prestigious safety award, received from the Government of Zambia’s Mines Safety Department last month, in recognition of Kagem’s exceptional achievement of 7,580,144 Lost Time Injury (LTI)-free hours.
As one of Zambia’s most critical economic sectors, safety in mining is paramount. While challenges exist, continuous improvement in workplace conditions and safety protocols is essential in safeguarding employee welfare and fostering a safer mining environment.
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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