FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURE
4 JUNE 2026
Kagem Awarded the Zero Harm Impact Award at Inaugural Zambia Safety Awards for Excellence
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Kagem Mining Limited (“Kagem”) was awarded with the Zero Harm Impact Award at the inaugural Zambia Safety Awards for Excellence (“ZASAA”), in recognition of having the highest impact on safety performance in Zambia and the company’s sustained achievement of four consecutive years without Lost Time Injury (“LTI”).
Receiving the award on behalf of the mine, Kagem’s Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (“SHEQ”), Benedict Bukoka, said the recognition was, above all, a tribute to the men and women whose daily discipline made it possible: “This award reflects our deep commitment to the well-being of every employee, and is a testament to a people-first approach that places safety alongside operational excellence at the core of how we mine.”
“We do not take such milestones lightly, nor for granted. Mining remains a complex and challenging industry, and Kagem’s success in responsibly mining world-class emeralds is anchored in a culture of care, continual improvement, and shared responsibility across our entire workforce,” Benedict Bukoka added, attending the inaugural ceremony with Kagem’s Head of Human Resources, Dr Wesley Chishimba.
Set to be an annual event, ZASAA is a national initiative established to promote and recognise excellence in occupational health and safety across Zambia to advance the Vision Zero agenda. Pioneered by Safety Management Training Services (“SMTS”) Zambia, the initiative has been endorsed by the Zambia Occupational Health and Safety Association (“ZOHSA”); is supported by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, and has further partnered with the African Vision Zero Network to strengthen the culture of safety and decent work.
Speaking at the ceremony, which brought together over 250 participants from industry, academia, government, and regulatory bodies, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SMTS, Hellen Mwamba, commended Kagem for its exemplary safety performance, noting that the mine’s record demonstrates that operational productivity and a strong culture of occupational health and safety can advance together.
“The Zero Harm Impact Award is intended to recognise organisations whose safety practice meaningfully raises the standard for the wider economy. Kagem’s four-year LTI-free record represents precisely that kind of national-level contribution,” she said.
Benedict Bukoka attributed the achievement to the mine’s deeply embedded safety culture, driven by leadership commitment, proactive risk management, and continuous workforce engagement: “Kagem exemplifies what is possible when safety is treated as a priority and a core value. Every employee plays a role in upholding our safety standards and reinforcing our zero-harm culture. This award belongs to all of them.”
The Zero Harm Impact Award further strengthens Kagem’s growing record of national safety recognition, including the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary’s Safety Award (2024 and 2025), recognition by the Zambia Chamber of Mines as Zambia’s safest mining company, and recognition earlier this year by the Minerals Regulation Commission for four consecutive years without a lost time injury. Kagem has now surpassed 13 million LTI-free hours.
-Ends-
ENQUIRIES
LANGMEAD & BAKER LTD
Gillian Langmead
info@langmead.com
GEMFIELDS
HEAD OFFICE (LONDON)
press@gemfields.com
About Kagem Mining
Kagem Mining Limited (“Kagem”), based in Lufwanyama, is a world-leading emerald mine. Kagem is operated and 75% owned by Gemfields, in partnership with the Zambian government’s International Development Corporation (“IDC”).
Gemfields is a world-leading miner of coloured gemstones. In addition to Kagem, Gemfields is the operator and 75% owner of Montepuez Ruby Mining in Mozambique (situated on one of the most significant recently discovered ruby deposits in the world).
Gemfields introduced a proprietary grading system and pioneering auction platform, which have transformed the coloured gemstone industry. Today, the company implements and invests in industry-leading policies, practices and infrastructure across its operations; aligns with relevant industry standards to underpin its responsible approach; plays an active role in working groups to modernise the sector; and raises the profile of African gems through its global marketing efforts.
Gemfields funds projects to improve health, education and livelihoods for communities around its mines, supports local conservation partners and created the Gemfields Foundation, its charitable arm, which magnifies the scale of the work already carried out by Gemfields itself.
Gemfields and Kagem value transparency, legitimacy and integrity and believe that coloured gemstones should create a positive impact for the countries and communities from which they originate.
GEMFIELDS
GEMFIELDS.COM | INVESTORS | FOUNDATION | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | X | YOUTUBE