FIRST Quantum Minerals (FQM) has reaffirmed its commitment to continue monitoring and protecting water sources, for its operations and communities surrounding its Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi.
Kansanshi Mine environmental manager Arnold Malambo said that the ISO 14001 Standards provide a framework that an organisation could follow, rather than establishing environmental performance requirements.
“In 2018 alone, the company spent at total of US$4,794,745 on sustainability programmes, among which was the establishment of a pioneering water recycling system using cutting-edge technology to prevent effluent from getting into external water bodies,” Mr. Malambo said.
In a statement, Mr Malambo said that Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) recently confirmed it conducted regular random inspections of Kansanshi mine’s water handling system, and the results showed no evidence of pollution from the mine in the area’s surface water, which is the water in Kifubwa and Solwezi River as well as Mutanda stream.
He said that the company was of the firm belief that effective environmental management was a corporate priority, and its efforts in conservation were aimed at leaving a positive legacy, knowing it had a duty of care.
“The company recognises the vital role water plays in its mining operations and its importance to well-being in nearby communities, hence we have effective environmental management as a corporate priority, and establish policies, programmes and practices to achieve this,”he explained.
Mr Malambo further said that the mining firm has over the years developed and designed facilities, which it operated in an environmentally sound manner, preserving the local bio-diversity, while protecting the water resources through efficient use of energy and other resource materials.
He said that the company’s overall environmental objectives include the commitment of the board and management to pollution prevention; compliance with all applicable environmental laws and continual improvement to protect the environment.
Mr. Malambo said that it was for that reason FQM had aligned its sustainability programmes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, whose overall objective is to improve the quality of life for its employees, their families and their immediate communities.
The mining firm was of the belief that access to safe, clean water was number one priority for community development.
