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NOVEMBER 4 2024
Kagem awarded as Zambia’s Safest Mining Company by the Zambia Chamber of Mines
LUFWANYAMA, ZAMBIA – Last week, at the 8th National Conference on Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) held in Livingstone, Kagem Mining Limited (Kagem) was officially recognised as Zambia’s safest mining company by the Zambia Chamber of Mines.
Zambia Chamber of Mines’ President, Dr Godwin Beene, invited the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Dr Hapenga M. Kabeta, to give the accolade, titled “Best Mine in Safety”, which was received by Kagem’s General Manager, Adriaan Prinsloo, and Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) Head of Department, Benedict Bukoka. This award underscores Kagem’s position as a benchmark for safety in an industry known for its operational risks.
Kagem’s Chairman, Dr Sixtus Mulenga, expressed his pride in the company’s commitment to safety: “This award represents the dedication, hard work, and commitment to safety by every member of the Kagem team over several years. Our journey towards this milestone has been marked by a number of notable accomplishments, including last year, in 2023, when Kagem was recognised as the first company in Africa to have the Environmental Social and Governance Clarity Platform certification. This award highlights our commitment to sustainable and responsible mining practices.”
This recognition follows Kagem’s recent award from the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, where it became the first company to receive the Permanent Secretary’s Safety Award.
Kagem’s SHEQ Head of Department, Benedict Bukoka, reinforced the importance of this achievement: “Achieving this award is a result of the intentional and focused health and safety policies and protocols instituted at Kagem. These policies and protocols have been developed in close collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, specifically the Mines Safety Department as per industry best practice.”
Bukoka further emphasised the collective effort involved in achieving high safety standards: “A safer, healthier and happier working environment starts with each one of us striving to adhere to and better the systems in place which reflect industry best practice. Adopting a ‘continuous improvement’ approach and providing ongoing training further strengthen this commitment.”
Kagem’s ongoing commitment to safety and its consistent zero-injury record reinforce its reputation as a leader in safe mining practices within Zambia’s mining sector. The company’s achievements not only set a high standard within the industry but also contribute to fostering a culture of safety that aligns with the Vision Zero initiative’s goals.
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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 15,000.
- 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 5 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 1,500 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