• KAGEM Mining Limited director Sixtus Mulenga gestures as Education Minister Michael Kaingu (standing, middle) looks on, while Kagem Mining Limited general manager Dibya Baral (left) and University of Zambia (UNZA) acting deputy vice-Chancellor Mick Mwala (right) sign a Memorandum of Understanding for student scholarships in Lusaka on Friday evening. Picture by SAM PHIRI

By SAM PHIRI –

KAGEM Mine has set aside US$345,000 for student scholarships to study mining at the University of Zambia (UNZA) and the Copperbelt University (CBU).
Education Minister Michael Kaingu, Mines Minister Christopher Yaluma and Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Lusaka on Friday night.
Dr Kaingu praised Kagem Mine for the initiative and said it was a practical approach to supplementing Government’s efforts in developing human resource.
He observed that training for a career in the mining sector could be a challenge for most students owing to cost implications and thus thanked the mine for lessening the students’ burden through its gesture.
“It often takes the dedication of both the parents and well-wishers, as well as the student and many times it does take a toll on finances. The scholarships themselves will cost $345,000 over the eight years for a total of 12 selected students,” Dr Kaingu said.
Kagem Mine director Sixtus Mulenga said the mine had developed a framework for sustainability that would drive long-term development in partnership with the Government and society as a whole.
“Under the terms of the scholarship, 12 students – six from each university – from the Geological and Mining Engineering departments in their second and third years of study will be selected to receive a comprehensive scholarship for the rest of the duration of their course over a period of eight years.
“The scholarships will cover the full cost of education including tuition fees, boarding fees, upkeep, clothing and book allowances as well as a medical scheme with Kagem,” he said.
Dr Mulenga said students under the scheme would be accorded internship opportunities at Kagem Mine during their recess as well as an apprenticeship upon completion and further training in areas deemed necessary by the company.
He said the agreements were part of the mine’s efforts in helping Government develop more coloured gemstone industry-oriented graduates that were up-to-date with current technical and theoretical knowledge and mining requirements of the day.
UNZA acting deputy vice-Chancellor Mick Mwala said, on behalf of both universities, that the partnership would not only create graduates, but also scientists, leaders and innovators.
Kagem Mine also signed another MoU for the staff pension scheme with Saturnia Regna under the African Life Assurance management.
The mine enlisted its employees to the Saturnia Regna pension scheme in addition to the current NAPSA plan as part of its long-term staff development strategy.
Mr Shamenda commended Kagem Mine on the step as it would help motivate employees, who were on permanent and pensionable terms and help foster skill retention at the mine.
Kagem currently employs more than 600 employees all of whom are permanent and pensionable.
Mr Yaluma congratulated the mine and its employees on achieving more than 3.5 million injury-free shifts, and emphasised the need to remain alert on safety in the workplace at all times.