Mine rescue teams from ten leading Zambian mining companies joined forces this month in a collaborative, first-of-its-kind training session. The aim? To enhance safety and rescue standards across Zambia’s mining industry.
The event was hosted at First Quantum Minerals’ Kansanshi Mining site in Solwezi District, and represented a pivotal step toward standardising safety protocols and fostering a unified approach to mine rescue operations nationwide.
“Shared safety knowledge and teamwork are critical for protecting lives in our industry,” said Kansanshi Mine Technical Manager, Mr Clayton Reeves.
CNMC Luanshya Copper Mine representative, Mr Remmy Chanda, also underscored the power of collaboration, saying that the training session “greatly expanded our knowledge and equipped us with modern rescue skills.”
Contributing to community safety
Collaboration between mining firms has benefits that extend beyond mine sites, too. When there’s an emergency like a major road accident in a mining community, mines’ rescue teams are often the first line of response. Enhancing these teams’ skills equips them to contribute to the safety and well-being of miners and local communities at large.
On 29 and 30 October this year, a number of mining companies including First Quantum Minerals (FQM) and Kagem Mining Limited (Kagem) attended the 8th National Conference on Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE), held by the Zambia Chamber of Mines in conjunction with the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Mining, and the Africa Vision Zero Network.
The conference brings stakeholders together to implement new strategies with the goal of achieving injury-free operations in the mining sector. It also recognises mines for promoting a culture of safety that aligns with the Vision Zero initiative’s goals – in this case Kagem, which was officially named Zambia’s safest mining company in 2024 by the Zambia Chamber of Mines.
Enhancing these teams’ skills equips them to contribute to the safety and well-being of miners and local communities at large.
Putting our heads together
President of the Zambia Mine Rescue Association (ZMRA), Mr Gabriel Zulu, commended Kansanshi Mining at the recent training session for its state-of-the-art facilities, and thanked the company for providing essential tools and expertise that are necessary to address mine safety challenges.
Participants at the session – which included major underground and surface copper operations in the Copperbelt province, as well as Munali Nickel Mine from Mazabuka in the Southern Province – praised the training’s cutting-edge techniques.
Indeed, putting our heads together to share expertise paves the way for creating innovative solutions that, ultimately, enhance safety outcomes for everyone involved.
Images courtesy of First Quantum Minerals
See also: Safety is a year-round commitment
How can I join you I have certificate in fire safety
Thanks for reading, Mr Mwape. Mining For Zambia is an online publication that covers news about the industry. If you’re interested in joining one of the mines, we’d suggest contacting them directly.