Wednesday 29 August 2018


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.

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