Kagem Mining Boosts Zambia’s Gemstone Skills with Lapidary Equipment Donation in Ndola
Kagem Mining Donates Cutting and Polishing Equipment to GPLTC Ndola to Strengthen Zambia’s Gemstone Value Addition Skills
Kagem Mining, a subsidiary of Johannesburg- and London-listed Gemfields, has donated gemstone cutting and polishing equipment to the Gemstone Processing and Lapidary Training Centre (GPLTC) in Ndola, Zambia.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening skills development and supporting value addition within Zambia’s growing gemstone industry.
The donation includes six cutting and polishing machines, one sawing machine, two calibrating machines, as well as a range of accessories and consumables used in lapidary operations.
Skills development partnership
Alongside the equipment donation, Kagem Mining and GPLTC have entered into a two-year partnership focused on enhancing practical training for students in gemstone processing and lapidary skills.
As part of the agreement, Kagem will facilitate annual site visits for students to its emerald mine in Lufwanyama District.
These visits are intended to expose learners to real mining operations and industry working conditions.
Students will also benefit from technical training sessions and guest lectures delivered by Kagem specialists, covering operational mining practices, industry standards, and occupational health and safety procedures.
According to Kagem’s Head of Human Resources, Dr Wesley Chishimba, the equipment provided will allow students to train using machinery that closely reflects what is used in professional gemstone processing environments.
He noted that practical exposure is essential in bridging the gap between theoretical learning and industry requirements, particularly in technical fields such as gemstone cutting and polishing.
Strengthening vocational training
GPLTC Acting Principal Lameck Thole stated that the donated equipment will enable students to gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, improving their readiness for employment in the gemstone sector.
He added that the partnership demonstrates the value of collaboration between industry and training institutions in improving skills development outcomes and enhancing graduate employability.
GPLTC Board Chairperson Ronica Mukwala also highlighted the importance of private sector involvement in education and training, noting that such partnerships contribute to stronger linkages between training institutions and industry needs.
She emphasized that initiatives of this nature can improve training quality while ensuring that graduates are better prepared for work in the mining and gemstone processing sectors.
Supporting national skills and industry growth
Kagem’s Corporate Affairs Head, Irvine Mwitwa, said the partnership aligns with broader national efforts in Zambia to strengthen technical education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship development.
He explained that access to practical equipment and industry expertise helps ensure that students acquire relevant skills in gemstone value addition, including cutting and polishing key processes that determine the quality and market value of gemstones.
About GPLTC
The Gemstone Processing and Lapidary Training Centre (GPLTC) is a public technical and vocational education institution operating under Zambia’s Ministry of Technology and Science.
It provides practical training in gemstone identification, processing, and value addition.
The centre serves a wide range of participants, including small-scale miners, gemstone traders, women, youth, school leavers, and professionals seeking to develop or improve their lapidary and technical skills.
