By XAVIER MANCHISHI –

KALUMBILA Minerals Limited (KML) has distanced itself from the local recruitment database exercise which took place in Solwezi last Saturday.
A database is a system that mining company in collaboration with local chiefs use to recruit workers.
As far as the mine was concerned, the recruitment exercise remained suspended after the confusion that escalated in Chisasa on 25th March this year.
KML public relations coordinator Mirriam Shakafuswa Harmon said the mining firm filed in a complaint with Solwezi Police about the illegal exercise leading to the arrest of 17 people.
“KML is deeply saddened that unscrupulous people have taken advantage of the exercise to mislead and fraudulently take advantage of persons seeking employment,” Ms Harmon said.
The recruitment exercise was as a result of consultation and numerous requests from the local community within the Trident Project catchment area which prompted KML to initiate a local employment database exercise that kicked off on March 23rd 2015 in Musele Chiefdom.
A recent needs assessment study, coordinated with community and Government stakeholders, demonstrated employment as being among the top five needs for corporate social responsibility intervention at the Trident Project, alongside healthcare, education, infrastructure and livelihoods development.
The local recruitment database was solely to register interested parties from the local Trident Project catchment area who may go forward into recruitment processes.
Ms Harmon said the database was, however, not a guarantee for employment because KML retained full discretion over employment processes at the Trident Project.
Recruitment at KML was based purely on merit and is non-discriminatory towards any social grouping.
She said KML supported the protection of universal human rights and, in conducting its operations, the firm made every effort to uphold and respect human rights principles, consistent with its Human Rights Policy.
“KML will not permit discrimination to or by, employees on the basis of age, race, gender, marital status, national origin, religious or philosophical beliefs, sexual orientation, pregnancy/maternity, disability or on the basis of any other personal characteristics protected by law,” she added.
The company regretted the confusion that arose during the database recruitment exercise which led to management’s decision to suspend the exercise until further notice.