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Mines Minister Christopher Yaluma presents a injury-free safety certificate to Kagem Operations Director CV Suresh, chairman William B Nyirenda and director Dr Sixtus Mulenga
Mines Minister Christopher Yaluma has applauded Kagem Mining Limited for its continued investment in the mining sector and its efforts to promote Zambia as a reliable, secure and ethical source of gemstones to the international market.
Kagem Mining Limited, operator of the world’s largest emerald mine, has recorded 3.5 million injury-free shifts at its Lufwanyama-based operations – setting a new safety record for the mining industry in Zambia.
Mr. Yaluma says the company has done numerous things, including its extensive capital investment, manpower development, timely payment of royalties and tax, and its pioneering approach to transparency.
Mr. Yaluma has also praised the company for ensuring that all employees are permanent and pensionable, and for its extensive corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.
The Minister said this when he toured the mine yesterday and officially presented the company with a certificate from the Mines Safety Department marking three million five hundred and ninety nine thousand six hundred and seventy eighty (3,599,678) lost-time-injury-free shifts.
He says it is gratifying that Kagem has scored another first in the industry by achieving more than 3 million injury-free shifts since Gemfields became a shareholder in June 2008 in partnership with the government and took over the running of operations.
He adds that government is proud to be part of this world class achievement.
And Kagem Chairman William Nyirenda has thanked workers for their contribution in achieving the phenomenal safety record in a concerted joint effort between management and workers.
Dr. Nyirenda says the achievement is a result of Kagem’s deliberate policies requiring every team member to be responsible for inculcating a ‘safety first’ behavioral culture.
Health and safety best practices are embedded across the entire mining and processing operation, with appropriate and specific training and awareness programmes ensuring that employees are responsible at both a corporate and individual level.