KALUMBILA MINE TAKES LEAD IN COVID-19 FIGHT

KALUMBILA

Minerals Limited (KML) in North- western province has pledged K620,201 towards combating of the COVID-19 pandemic.

KML Assistant General Manager, Junior Keyser, said the mining firm would also provide the necessary health support within the means of the mining firm.

This is contained in a letter addressed to Kalumbila District Commissioner (DC) Robinson Kalota.

Mr Keyser said the decision to donate in-kind was motivated by the company's stringent internal corporate auditing procedures. He said the mining firm would not remain behind in the fight agains COVID-19 and that it shall provide the necessary health support when need arises. "Our earnest hope is to see our country Zambia walk through these hard times with manageable social and economic impact, so be rest assured that we are together in this,” he said.

Mr Keyser said the donation would cover Personal

Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare service providers, consumables for epidemiological investigations and active surveillance, medical supplies and laboratory consumables. Other items were public health consumables, public road user screening requirements, fuel for distribution of materials within the district as well as preparedness needs for potential worst-case situations.

He said that the pledged donation would be accessible through the Trident Foundation Limited (TFL).

He also said as part of its pledge, the mining company had also offered access to its logistics and procurement systems to assist with mobilisation of required materials.

Mr Keyser said KML was currently providing support through sensitisation support in 12 communities in collaboration with the district health team. The mining firm, he said, was distributing awareness material, providing fuel for contact tracing being coordinated through the provincial health team and transportation of samples to Lusaka for analysis.