FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURES
17 NOVEMBER 2021
Mines Rescue President Praises Kansanshi
By John Mubambe
FQM Group Industrial Hygiene Coordinator, Eric Cousins (right) and Acting General Manager Clayton Reeves (left) ready to join the recovery team on the training exercise underground. 
Mine rescuers pose for a photograph after a training exercise meant to improve their emergency handling capacity and safety standard. 
Members of a mine rescue team arrive for briefing on rescue knowledge on the surface at Kansanshi Mine during the recent training exercise.
SOLWEZI, ZAMBIA – Zambia Mines Rescue Association (ZMRA) president, Maron Chongo, has hailed Kansanshi Mining Plc management for exhibiting good hospitality when it hosted the rescue training exercise for mines in the country at the week-end.
A total of six mine rescue teams that included Mopani Copper, Nkana, NFCA Chambeshi, Mabiza Nickel, Mufulira and Kansanshi Mine participated in the training exercise at Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi.
The rescue training exercise was based on a scenario at underground pumping stations for all the teams to complete the entire challenge within 90 minutes.
The faux incident involved the rescue of two missing electricians by providing plans showing the raise-bore shaft and location of the power substation, and also pointing out the water flooded area where power supply had tripped-out due to a spike in power supply.
Speaking at the Kansanshi Golf Club after the training, ZMRA President Maron Chongo appreciated the hospitality demonstrated by Kansanshi mine’s management which hosted all the participating mine rescue brigade men.
“I must thank Kansanshi Mine management for the support rendered to the mine rescue volunteers who have managed to exhibit their knowledge and skills of mine rescue in a conducive atmosphere,” said Mr. Chongo.
Mr. Chongo advised the mine rescue team members to devote their training to the development of a passion aimed at saving lives and company properties.
He also appealed to the rescue brigade men to adopt the style of working together to avoid competition which was unnecessary in mine rescue.
Mr. Chongo was happy that working together resulted in the success of the rescue which took place in the underground environment by the mine rescue teams only, as this area had high gas concentrations and smoke from the transformer fire.
Kansanshi Mining Plc acting General Manager, Clayton Reeves, encouraged all the mine teams to continue working hard to promote excellence in safety within the Zambian mining industry.
Mr. Reeves noted that the training exercise at Kansanshi Mine was an eye opener for the Emergency Response Team (ERT) at his company.
“It was very interesting to watch performances fused into commitment and professionalism on the surface and underground under the given scenario,” He said.
He said it was inspiring to note the response to instructions by the mine rescuers who positively responded to the briefing and debriefing of the teams which took place on the surface.
Mr. Reeves disclosed that Kansanshi Mine management had planned to extend the underground dewatering capability and train some of the existing ERT members who were included in the underground rescue part of the scenario as observers.
He urged all team members of the Zambia Mines Rescue Association to remain better prepared to respond to emergencies at their work places.
– Ends –
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/
For media inquiries please contact:
Gillian Langmead at Langmead & Baker Ltd;
+260 979 060705;
info@langmead.com
Keep up the good work!
I would love to join your rescue team if given a chance .Am a registered emergency and Trauma nurse . I really enjoy Emergency response
Beautiful works there