KAMOA COPPER JOINS THE DRC GOVERNMENT, UNICEF, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO STOP THE PANDEMIC

Kamoa Copper S.A. is practicing COVID-19 vaccination for the first time at Kamoa Hospital and encourages all citizens to get vaccinated.

KOLWEZI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, MAY 31, 2021 – Kamoa Copper SA’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ben Munanga, is pleased to announce that the company now practices vaccination at the Kamoa hospital dedicated to  COVID-19, in collaboration with the DRC’s national health ministry;  the Minister of Health of the province of Lualaba, Mr. Kabwit Ngoie Jules;  UNICEF;  the expanded immunization program of the government of Lualaba;  as well as other stakeholders in the fight against COVID-19.  This facility continues to care for patients alongside the progress of construction work to expand and improve the hospital’s primary health wing, which is expected to be completed by the end of July 2021.

“Kamoa is working closely with its national and provincial partners to improve access to healthcare in Lualaba province,” said Dr John Botomwito, responsible for health at Kamoa Copper SA Kamoa is one of 15 sites in the province where the  COVID-19 vaccination program is being put in place to curb the spread of this virus.

“Kamoa’s highly skilled doctors and caregivers use the latest medical treatments, and are supported by a state-of-the-art emergency response team.  As the pandemic evolves, the Kamoa Hospital medical team continues to assess and update risk mitigation protocols, while ensuring that the latest medical advancements are investigated and investigated.  are enforced to protect the health and safety of employees and community members, ”added Dr Botomwito.

Kamoa Copper S.A. has procured 1,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, primarily for use by Kamoa employees and contractors.  The administration of this vaccine is voluntary and free.  The campaign will run for one month, from May until June 2021. The second dose will be administered between eight and twelve weeks after the first and a vaccination certificate will be issued to those who have received two doses of the vaccine.

“We are working with various partners to procure more doses of vaccine, to expand our program and to support the immunization of DRC citizens who live in our host communities,” commented Dr Botomwito.]  The Democratic Republic of the Congo began its vaccination campaign in Kinshasa last month with a groundbreaking ceremony where information was shared regarding the safety as well as the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is the main vaccine distributed in  the country.

Following a rigorous study, a team of Congolese experts confirmed that the benefits of this vaccine far outweigh the risks.

After receiving his vaccine at the Kamoa hospital dedicated to COVID-19, on May 24, 2021, Mark Farren, CEO of Kamoa Copper, stressed: “Getting vaccinated is an important gesture, although voluntary, and presents  more advantages than disadvantages.  It is a gesture of solidarity to protect not only his person, but also others. ”

In order to properly manage the risks associated with COVID-19, Kamoa Copper’s focus was on prevention, preparedness and mitigation.  Large-scale screening, along with targeted prevention measures, allows for the identification, isolation and rapid treatment of positive cases.  In addition, the risk of cross contamination is kept to a minimum.  Kamoa Copper’s day-to-day efforts remain focused on first-level risk management.

“To slow the COVID-19 pandemic, we must apply all possible measures.  Successful administration of the vaccine, both locally and internationally, would quickly and significantly ease the burden of the pandemic around the world, ”continued Mr. Farren.

Vaccination against COVID-19 is an important measure in slowing the pandemic.  It is a safe and effective measure that will prevent infection and save lives.  Wearing a mask, washing your hands and maintaining a social distance, reduce the chances of contact with the virus, or contamination of others.  However, these measures are not sufficient on their own.  The vaccines will strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of severe symptoms, or even death.

Individuals who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 should continue to take precautions in public places, such as wearing a mask, maintaining social distance, avoiding crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, as well as  wash and disinfect hands regularly.  Those who have not yet been vaccinated for reasons of uncertainty or concern, or for any other reason, are urged to visit the following link for more information: https: //www.who.  int / en / emergencies / diseases / novel-coronavirus-2019 / covid-19-vaccines  End  Note to Editors Regarding Kamoa Copper S.A.

Kamoa Copper is a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines (39.6%), Zijin Mining Group (39.6%), Crystal River Global Limited (0.8%) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (20%).  Kamoa-Kakula is expected to start copper production in July 2021. Kamoa is well positioned to become, through phased expansion, one of the world’s largest copper producers.

Kamoa Copper SA will be powered by clean, renewable electricity, generated by hydraulic installations, and will be among the lowest greenhouse gas producers in the world per unit of metal produced.  Ivanhoe Mines are also working to discover new copper deposits in the fore-country in the west of the DRC, near the mines of Kamoa Copper SA, where it holds a wholly-owned exploration permit.