EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM FIRES UP AT KALUMBILA
A new 24-hour emergency fire and rescue station has been set up in Kalumbila to safeguard people’s lives and protect property as the town continues to grow.
The centre, which will be operated round-the clock by a 12-member team, has been provided with state-of-the-art equipment, including a fire engine, multi-casualty trailer and utility vehicle, by First Quantum Minerals’ Kalumbila Minerals.
The new facility will help protect the growing community near the company’s Sentinel Mine, as well as the town airport.
“This move has been necessitated due to the size of the airport as well as the size of aircraft landing at our airport; Also, the population in the communities surrounding the mine has increased exponentially and there is a continuous expansion of infrastructure within the mine and the communities,” explained KML Safety Manager Brent Pondaag, speaking as the company unveiled the new Rosenbauer Buffalo fire engine, utility vehicle, and a trailer that can treat up to 30 patients at a time.
Mr Pondaag said there had been a notable increase in motor vehicle traffic within Kalumbila town. He noted that it takes approximately 20-30 minutes for a fire truck to reach Kalumbila housing from the mine site, hence the need to bring an emergency response team closer to the people.
The fire engine, which is designed for airport use, can also be used on other structural fires, and has a 4,000-litre water capacity with a 500-litre in-built foam tank and a 135 kg dry chemical powder tank equipped with the latest firefighting equipment.
On behalf of the Kalumbila community, Apostle Sydney Mulonga from the Pastors Fellowship of Kalumbila, said the development showed the consideration that Kalumbila Minerals management had for its community and workers. “As Kalumbila Pastors Fellowship, we are delighted to have a mine that is concerned about its community and people’s welfare. It makes us feel safe that help is a doorstep away. Thank you KML for thinking and coming to our aid always,” said Pastor Mulonga.
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About First Quantum Minerals Ltd
First Quantum Minerals Ltd is a global metals and mining company producing mainly copper, gold and zinc. The company’s assets are in Zambia, Spain, Mauritania, Australia, Finland, Turkey, Panama, Argentina and Peru.
In 2020, First Quantum globally produced 779,000 tonnes of copper, 265,000 ounces of gold and 13,000 tonnes of nickel.
In Zambia it operates the Kansanshi mine – the largest copper mine in Africa by production – and smelter and the Sentinel mine in Kalumbila.
The company is listed on the Lusaka and Toronto stock exchanges.
