FQM Trident Empowers Local Suppliers with Business Training in Zambia’s Mining Value Chain
First Quantum Minerals’ (FQM) Trident has launched a five-day “Expand Your Business” (EYB) training programme to enhance the capacity of 50 local suppliers to participate actively in the mining value chain.
The programme, delivered by trainers accredited by the International Labour Organization (ILO), highlights FQM’s dedication to fostering sustainable economic growth by empowering local entrepreneurs.
The training aligns with the Zambian government’s efforts to increase local content in the mining sector. Held in Solwezi, the initiative aims to equip participants with the skills and expertise needed to compete in global markets, particularly in mining procurement.
Speaking at the programme’s launch, FQM Commercial Manager Dr. McGerald Nvula reaffirmed the company’s commitment to community investment, emphasizing its long-term vision of creating economic sustainability that extends beyond the life of its mines.
Joseph Ngwira, Trident Foundation Manager, outlined the programme’s focus on quality, cost, and delivery—key principles that align with the government’s agenda for improved procurement processes while fostering these standards among trainees.
At the event, North-Western Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Luckson Mulumbi praised FQM for reinvesting in local communities, while Solwezi Mayor Remmy Kalepa urged participants to prioritize hiring local talent to ensure that the programme’s benefits are widely shared within the region.
This initiative further cements FQM’s role in strengthening local entrepreneurial capacity, demonstrating its commitment to Zambia’s socio-economic development and its drive to support sustainable, inclusive growth.
