FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURE
OCTOBER 1, 2021
NORTH-WEST EMBARKS ON SUSTAINABLE FISHING IN KALUMBILA
The mining firm is scheduled to restock 10,000 fingerlings before the end of 2021
KALUMBILA, ZAMBIA – North Western Provincial Fisheries Coordinator, Dr. Charles Lwanga, has appealed to the newly formed Musele Community Resource Board (MCRB) to show leadership by ensuring that the two water bodies (Chisola and Musangezhi dams) are properly managed.
He was speaking during the handover ceremony held at Senior Chief Musele’s palace in Kalumbila District, where he also pledged that the Department of Fisheries will provide technical and scientific support.
As part of its Corporate Social Investment, First Quantum Minerals’ subsidiary Kalumbila Minerals Limited (KML), through the Trident Foundation Limited (TFL) facilitated the formation of the Musele Community Resource Board to ensure sustainable fishing activities in both Musangezhi dam and Chisola dam.
The MCRB, which was formed as a Crime Prevention Unit, will work with the Government through the Department of Fisheries to provide fishing licenses and ensure proper fishing methods are being adhered to. Among the support provided by Kalumbila Minerals Limited includes logistical support for surveillance of the dam, development of the governance system, fish restocking, and aquatic ecosystem monitoring.
The support from the mine aims to ensure sustainable fishing for nutrition and income, going beyond the life of the mine. Kalumbila Minerals Limited believes that a structured governance system will help avoid community conflicts and optimize the water resources already developed by the mine.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, TFL Manager Joseph Ngwira said the program will score measurable success in ensuring that the community adequately benefits from the fish resources through revenue generation and guarding against over-exploitation of the fish resources to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
“The combination of community structures through Musele CRB, the governance systems put in place and the technical input of the Department of Fisheries gives us assurance that this initiative will be managed effectively, transparently, and sustainably,” said Mr Ngwira.
Mr. Ngwira also noted that given the impending challenges ahead of the fishing program, including the pressure of fishing that will be placed on the two dams, the community must consider putting up a hatchery to have a reliable source for fingerlings that will periodically restock the dam.
“In addition, we would like to encourage the community to develop fish ponds where the fingerlings will be supplied by hatcheries. This will relieve and mitigate the fishing pressures on the dam. We anticipate the hatchery will play a role in promoting aquaculture in the Musele chiefdom and beyond as this initiative is set to provide alternative and sustainable livelihoods beyond the life of the mine.” Mr. Ngwira concluded.
And Senior Chief Musele Musokantanda urged his subjects to take care of the fish resources God has blessed his community with. And also advised the fishing community to buy licenses and use recommended fishing tools so that future generations can also find their inheritance.
He further called on the MCRB to make sure that that they deal diligently with anyone found flouting set procedures, and encouraged the community to follow up with the Department of Fisheries to acquire cages for private breeding in order for them to make an income.
“We encourage those who want to practice fishing as a business to get a permit because if you are caught selling fish illegally, you will be arrested and no one will speak for you because this information has been shared openly here today,” said Chief Musele.
The Chief thanked Kalumbila Minerals Limited for providing financial support to establish a system that would enhance coordinated resource utilization and support livelihoods.
From the inception of the two dams, Kalumbila Minerals Limited, has introduced over 81,000 fingerlings into the Chisola and Musangezhi dams and is scheduled to restock 10,000 fingerlings before the end of 2021.
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About First Quantum Minerals Ltd
First Quantum Minerals Ltd is a global metals and mining company producing mainly copper, gold and zinc. The company’s assets are in Zambia, Spain, Mauritania, Australia, Finland, Turkey, Panama, Argentina and Peru.
In 2020, First Quantum globally produced 779,000 tonnes of copper, 265,000 ounces of gold and 13,000 tonnes of nickel.
In Zambia it operates the Kansanshi mine – the largest copper mine in Africa by production – 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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