FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURES
AUGUST 22, 2022
Kagem renews support for the Copperbelt University
KITWE, ZAMBIA – Further consolidating its goal of providing support for the most critical social sectors in Zambia, such as education, Kagem Mining Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Copperbelt University (CBU) to ensure its continued support for the university through a scholarship programme, amongst other forms of assistance.
Through the MoU, Kagem will provide scholarships to students from CBU’s School of Mines and Mineral Sciences that will cover tuition fees, medical, upkeep and book allowances, while also providing the university with staff assistance, equipment, consultancy, industrial projects, and curriculum development.
The CBU Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Chisale (left image, right) expressed confidence that the MoU would continue to strengthen ties between the two entities and ensure ongoing improvement in the provision of quality education at the university.
Prof Chisale commented: “Through this MoU, both Kagem and CBU will pursue many significant activities such as the promotion of students’ industrial attachments and internships, collaborative research and consultancy in the area of mining engineering.”
Meanwhile, Kagem Board Chairman Dr Sixtus Mulenga (left image, left) reiterated the emerald mine’s commitment to improving livelihoods through its continued funding in education and other social sectors in its area of operation.
“Kagem is a firm believer in social funding, including education. This is why the company is willing to spend significant amounts of money to champion the cause, ensuring that even vulnerable children are able to access quality education so that they can realise their full potential,” he said.
“We believe when we support these students, we are empowering them as individuals and empowering the nation with skilled human resource and this MoU is testament to this commitment and how far Kagem will go in its social responsibility.”
The MoU, which will be in effect for eight years, is part of Kagem’s efforts to contribute towards economic and social development in Zambia.
Since inception, Kagem has funded the construction and rehabilitation of schools in Lufwanyama district, both at primary and secondary level. The emerald mine also goes further to provide these schools with learning materials as wells as other forms of support.
Kagem prides itself on being a model corporate citizen in the Zambian mining sector.
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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
helena.choudhury@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
- The mine has spent more than USD 2.8 million on community projects, including:
- Rehabilitation of the 18.7km road connecting Chief Nkana and Chief Lumpuma’s chiefdoms from Kandole to Kafwaya village in Lufwanyama district
- Construction of the Nkana Health Centre
- Construction and equipping of a new Chapula Secondary School
- Construction of new buildings at Chapula Primary School
- Building of teachers’ accommodation at Kapila Community School
- Support for the Blessing, Kapila Green Farms, Twende and Twasanta projects
- Improvements to Chief Nkana and Chief Lumpuma’s palaces
- Kagem has renewed its partnership with the University of Zambia (UNZA), committing to a new USD 172,500 scholarship programme which follows the previous commitment of USD 345,000 to sponsor students from the geological and mining engineering departments at the School of Mines at UNZA and Copperbelt University (CBU) over a period of eight years.
- Kagem has pledged USD 220,000 to support the Lumpuma Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society farming initiative.
- Kagem currently provides 1,150 direct jobs, with 94% of the workforce being local.
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 miner of responsible 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 sourced 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 | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
Fabergé: Fabergé.com | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
Kagem Mining: LinkedIn
Montepuez Ruby Mining: LinkedIn