Last week, at the 8th National Conference on Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) held in Livingstone, Kagem Mining Limited (Kagem) was officially recognised as Zambia’s safest mining company by the Zambia Chamber of Mines.
Zambia Chamber of Mines’ President, Dr Godwin Beene, invited the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Dr Hapenga M. Kabeta, to give the accolade, titled “Best Mine in Safety”, which was received by Kagem’s General Manager, Adriaan Prinsloo, and Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) Head of Department, Benedict Bukoka. This award underscores Kagem’s position as a benchmark for safety in an industry known for its operational risks.
Kagem’s Chairman, Dr Sixtus Mulenga, expressed his pride in the company’s commitment to safety: “This award represents the dedication, hard work, and commitment to safety by every member of the Kagem team over several years. Our journey towards this milestone has been marked by a number of notable accomplishments, including last year, in 2023, when Kagem was recognised as the first company in Africa to have the Environmental Social and Governance Clarity Platform certification. This award highlights our commitment to sustainable and responsible mining practices.”
This recognition follows Kagem’s recent award from the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, where it became the first company to receive the Permanent Secretary’s Safety Award.
Kagem’s SHEQ Head of Department, Benedict Bukoka, reinforced the importance of this achievement: “Achieving this award is a result of the intentional and focused health and safety policies and protocols instituted at Kagem. These policies and protocols have been developed in close collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, specifically the Mines Safety Department as per industry best practice.”
Bukoka further emphasised the collective effort involved in achieving high safety standards: “A safer, healthier and happier working environment starts with each one of us striving to adhere to and better the systems in place which reflect industry best practice. Adopting a ‘continuous improvement’ approach and providing ongoing training further strengthen this commitment.”
Kagem’s ongoing commitment to safety and its consistent zero-injury record reinforce its reputation as a leader in safe mining practices within Zambia’s mining sector. The company’s achievements not only set a high standard within the industry but also contribute to fostering a culture of safety that aligns with the Vision Zero initiative’s goals.
