Kagem rolls out Covid-19 vaccination programme
Kagem Mining in Lufwanyama, has fulfilled its pledge to acquire the Covid-19 vaccine and ensure its staff and their dependents are vaccinated during the nationwide vaccination programme roll out.
The mine, which is 75% owned by London-based Gemfields Limited and 25% by the Zambian Government’s Industrial Development Corporation, is setting the corporate pace in facilitating voluntary mass vaccination of its employees by the Ministry of Health, following the arrival of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the country.
Kagem saw over 250 of its workforce vaccinated against the virus on the first day of its programme.
“We have had a very positive response from our staff with 255 opting for vaccination on the very first day. Kagem remains committed to safeguarding the health of our personnel and we will continue to implement measures put in place for working in the new normal,” noted Kagem General Manager, Sanjeev Kumar.
Operations at Kagem restarted in a phased manner in mid-March 2021, after being suspended for nearly a year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The mine continues to closely monitor developments with the Covid-19 pandemic, including the rise of the new variants, and has put in place “New-Normal Covid-19 Environment” management systems, in line with the Ministry of Health protocols, which include Rapid Antigen testing and thermal body temperature reading cameras to minimise the risk of contagion.
During the nearly year-long suspension of all but critical operations since 30 March 2020, Kagem employees, excluding those on critical operations, were placed on leave with basic (80%) salaries, in line with the new Employment Code Act 2019 (Act No. 3 of 2019) throughout the suspension period, despite not working.
Kagem has been able to avoid redundancies and retain its workforce due to the financial support provided by the majority shareholder, Gemfields Limited.
“We hope making the vaccine available to our staff will help create a healthy, safe and secure environment for our employees” noted Mr Kumar, who is one of the vaccine recipients.
About Kagem Mining
Kagem Mining Ltd, based in Lufwanyama, is believed to be the world’s single largest producing emerald mine. Kagem is 75% owned by Gemfields, in a model partnership with the Zambian government.
Kagem aims to emulate the values of Gemfields and operate in a way that contributes positively to the national economy, while taking a leading role in modernising the coloured gemstone sector and building sustainable livelihoods for the communities around the mine. Kagem believes that coloured gemstones should be mined and marketed by championing three key values – transparency, legitimacy and integrity.
Gemfields is a world-leading supplier of responsibly sourced coloured gemstones. In addition to Kagem, Gemfields is the operator and 75% owner of Montepuez Ruby Mining in Mozambique (at one of the most significant recently discovered ruby deposits in the world), as well as bulk sampling licences in Ethiopia, amongst others.
Gemfields has developed a proprietary grading system and a pioneering auction and trading platform to provide a consistent supply of coloured gemstones to the global jewellery market.
Fabergé – an iconic name with an exceptional heritage – is a member of the Gemfields Group. This enables Gemfields to improve its positioning, perception and consumer awareness of responsibly sourced coloured gemstones through the beauty of design and craftsmanship.
