MINING GIANT
IRST QUANTUM MINERAL SUSPENDS $700K WATER PROJECT DUE TO COMMUNITY SNUB
First
Quantum Minerals (FQM) has suspended plans for part of a US$700,000 community
water project following attempts by community leaders to blame the mine for
naturally occurring water quality issues.
The dispute
between the company’s Trident Foundation and the local people highlights the
wider issue of the extent to which the private sector should be obligated to
conduct community development projects that are the responsibility of national
and local government.
Naturally
occurring iron in the geological structure of the area has been a visible
challenge in water in these community boreholes for over 2-decades, long before
mining activities commenced in the area.
This is a
well-known challenge in areas with similar soils in Zambia, in particular,
large parts of North-Western and Northern Provinces. Scientific analysis of the
water confirmed the natural occurring iron, which causes water discolouration
and a metallic taste.
The iron
occurs in most of the local soils and is not as a result of mining activities. This
is backed up by the extensive long-term groundwater monitored programmes
initiated by the company before operations began.
“First Quantum strives to do the right thing
and support the communities that are our neighbours. This goes far beyond our
legal obligations, but we are happy to provide this social investment on a
goodwill basis,” said FQM Country Manager, General Kingsley Chinkuli.
“However, on
this occasion, the prolonged attack on our work has gone too far. It is
misguided, unfair, and damages our reputation as a good corporate citizen. On
this basis, we have suspended investment in a water project until such time as
we have the full support of all in the community. We will, however, continue
with a component of the project, but only in directly affected communities of
the project. We are currently reviewing our community development approach to
avoid such unfair accusations in future for projects that are well-intended. Through
its Trident Foundation, the company budgeted to invest ~US$700,000 in an
initiative to upgrade community water systems in Kalumbila District in work
being co-ordinated in consultation with Senior Chief Musele, a development
taskforce and a sub-committee specifically set up to recommend improvements to
water access.
“First
Quantum Minerals has a clear policy of supporting the communities surrounding
its mines. It allocates millions of dollars every year to help ensure people
have the basic needs and tools with which they can build sustainable
livelihoods for themselves,” said General Chinkuli.
The initial
plans to upgrade water facilities were the foundation’s humanitarian response
to recent concerns by the community about naturally occurring water quality
issues and flooding.
Earlier in
the year, the company came to the aid of people in Musele and Kawelanga village
after a flooded graveyard threatened the community’s water supply.
The mining
firm believes access to safe, clean water is the number one priority for
community development. Water is a basic human need, and should always be
prioritised over other forms of development work.
