EU Delegation Praises FQM’s Trident Project for Sustainable Mining and Regional Development
EU Commends First Quantum Minerals’ Trident Mine and Kalumbila Town as Models of Sustainable Investment in Zambia
The European Union Delegation to Zambia has commended First Quantum Minerals Trident (FQMT) for its world-class mining operations and long-term commitment to sustainable investment, following a high-level visit to the Trident Mine and Kalumbila Town in North-Western Province.
The delegation was led by Paola Gosparini, Programme Manager for Trade and Private Sector, and Massimo Bonannini, Team Leader for Infrastructure.
During the visit, the EU officials engaged with senior management before touring the Sentinel Pit, where Trident’s state-of-the-art, technology-driven bulk mining operations were showcased.
Developed over a four-year period at a capital investment of approximately US$2.5 billion, Sentinel Mine is one of Africa’s most advanced copper operations.
The mine is underpinned by progressive land rehabilitation, large-scale environmental conservation initiatives, and climate-smart community development programmes.
A key highlight of the visit was Kalumbila Town, a fully integrated greenfield development being delivered through Kalumbila Town Development Corporation (KTDC), a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals.
Conceived as a post-mine legacy and regional growth hub, Kalumbila has been designated a Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ), offering competitive fiscal incentives and world-class infrastructure to investors across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Strategically positioned in the heart of Zambia’s North-Western mining corridor, Kalumbila provides a competitive base for businesses supporting the mining supply chain.
The town benefits from strong regional connectivity to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola, with access to the Lobito and Walvis Bay transport corridors.
Covering more than 5,000 hectares, the development includes plans for 10,000 residential plots, extensive commercial land, and over 100 hectares reserved for industrial development.
The delegation also toured key social infrastructure projects, including the Kalumbila Secondary School, currently under construction, and the Wumi Mini Hospital.
The hospital now provides quality healthcare services to local communities that previously had to travel over 90 kilometres to access similar medical facilities.
These investments highlight First Quantum Minerals’ integrated approach to mining-led development, which places communities, sustainability, and economic diversification at the core of its operations.
The visit reaffirmed Trident’s position as a benchmark for responsible mining and sustainable town development, aligning with Zambia’s industrialisation agenda and the European Union’s priorities on sustainable private sector investment.
