FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURES
NOVEMBER 10, 2023
Kagem and Gemfields Foundation deliver a solar powered computer lab and new classroom block to Kapila Primary School
LUFWANYAMA, ZAMBIA – Kagem Mining and Gemfields Foundation, the charitable arm of Kagem’s majority owner and operator – Gemfields, has handed over a newly constructed block with three classrooms and a fully equipped solar powered computer lab to Lufwanyama’s Kapila Primary School to enhance the quality of education in the area.
The project, completed at a cost of approximately ZMW 6.9 million (USD 316,000), puts Kapila Primary School among the handful of educational institutions in the area offering computer lessons to its pupils.
The ceremony was attended by local community members, pupils, school board members, senior members of local Zambian Government namely Lufwanyama’s District Commissioner, Mr Justin Mwalikwa, Lufwanyama’s Council Secretary Ms Linda Mapara and Lufwanyama’s Educational Board Secretary, Mr. Silvester Mukanda. In representation of Kagem and Gemfields Group Mr. Sean Gilbertson, Gemfields CEO and Mr. CV Suresh, Kagem’s Managing Director, attended the event.
On behalf of Lufwanyama’s Member of Parliament Hon. Kenny Siachisumo, Mr Edward Kapandula stated that the government’s policy to introduce free education at primary and secondary levels has led to an increase in the number of pupils enrolled in schools across the country, including at Kapila Primary School, which has seen the student population rise from 201 to 342 over the past year.
“This increase in enrolment makes infrastructure like the extra classrooms block and computer lab built by Kagem and Gemfields Foundation more important. It is encouraging to see that the mineral wealth found in Lufwanyama is bringing benefits to surrounding communities,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Lufwanyama’s District Commissioner, Mr Justin Mwalikwa described Kagem as a long-term partner in building modern infrastructure and enhancing service delivery in both the education and health sectors in the district.
“Kagem is one mining company that has taken educating the youth in the district to heart, with the company constructing and renovating schools, classrooms and staff houses in the past years at Chapula and Kapila communities, and it continues to support the centres throughout the school year,” said Mr Mwalikwa.
Gemfields Corporate Responsibility Director, Edward Johnson, explained, “Kagem’s job is to mine emeralds as efficiently as possible and bring the money back to Zambia. And when we do that we can employ more people and build more schools like this.”
In her keynote address, Kagem’s Head of Corporate Responsibility, Lomthunzi Mbewe, said that Kagem valued education, adding that the company believed that it was contributing to the development of future employees and leaders by supporting today’s learners.
The computer lab, which Ms Mbewe described as “Lufwanyama’s first step towards a digital future” runs on clean solar energy and has complete access to high-speed internet. The installation of the solar panels at the school is an unprecedented development in the district and Kapila will also serve as an example of how green energy can help foster learning and development in the area.
Zambian Government representatives expressed their intention to roll out an e-learning management system, as per the guidance in the 2024 budget presentation by the Ministry of Finance, aimed at ensuring easy access to online teaching and learning materials across the country.
To December 2022, Kagem has spent ZMW 68.1 million (around USD 3 million) in corporate responsibility programmes across health, livelihoods and conservation, as well as educational initiatives in Chapula, Kapila, Masasa and other surrounding areas.
Last year, Kagem renewed its partnership with both the Copperbelt University (CBU) and the University of Zambia (UNZA), committing to new scholarship programmes totalling ZMW 7.83 million (USD 345,000), further underpinning its support for local education.
Furthermore, this September, Kagem signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Zambia to fund the construction of the Chapula Vocational Training Centre in Lufwanyama which is estimated to cost ZMW 52.75 million (USD 2.5 million) and will enable local men and women to acquire vocational skills to improve their employability.
-Ends-
Kagem responsible mining 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 around USD 3 million (to December 2022) 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
- Expanded Masasa Primary School in Lufwanyama by building a block of three classrooms, two offices and a strong room for examination papers, as well as two teachers’ residences and ablution blocks
- 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 both the Copperbelt University (CBU) and the University of Zambia (UNZA), committing to new scholarship programmes totalling USD 345,000. This 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 CBU over a period of eight years.
- Pledge of USD 220,000 to support Lumpuma Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society farming initiative.
- Kagem signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Zambia to fund the construction of the Chapula Vocational Training Centre in Lufwanyama which is estimated to cost ZMW 52,750,000 (USD 2.5 million)
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 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.
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