CHINGOLA, 6 March 2016, Anil Agarwal, the Chairman for Vedanta Resources addressed more than 300 Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) employees as a part of a global “virtual town hall meeting.”

The Vedanta founder and Chairman was speaking during a live broadcast through a video link to more than 300 KCM employees and about 5,000 in total from all Vedanta subsidiaries and businesses in 30 locations in 5 countries. Employees from all locations were able to ask questions to the Chairman, who was participating in London.

This was the first time that this technology has been used in KCM and enabled a wide cross section of the company to interact directly with the Chairman of the company’s largest shareholder.

The event was well received by KCM employees: According to Innocent Chiluba, a metallurgist in the company: “It was great to be able to hear the Chairman talk directly to us from London and answer the questions on our mind.  I was amazed to see groups from so many different places on the screen.”

Mr Agarwal spoke about his affection for Zambia and Vedanta’s long term commitment to the country.  He said Vedanta’s 50-year vision to continue mining in Zambia would be fulfilled, underpinned on the world-class and high grade ore body at the flagship Konkola mine in Chililabombwe.

Mr Agarwal told the employees that, “our main intention at the moment is to survive the current challenges. It is all about our determination to take our company forward. You need to work hard, cut costs and increase production. We have to be innovative.”

Mr Agarwal said Vedanta subsidiaries, including KCM, would continue to nurture young people into positions of leadership. The company would also promote the ascendancy of women into leadership positions as it seeks to expand its asset portfolio as a diversified global resources company.

“I encourage all of you to remain ambitious for success, humble and hardworking. To find and recognise talent is the most important thing for us. Our success will be based on trust and honesty. I have seen a great passion from our employees at KCM and there is also great potential. We have done everything possible to develop this asset by investing over $3 billion on processing plants and the mines,” Mr Agarwal said, addressing KCM.

Vedanta Chief Executive Officer Tom Albanese, who is also KCM’s Chairman, reiterated that a strong foundation had been created at KCM.

“There is so much enthusiasm about copper mining in Zambia. Everyone is passionate about the KCM 50-year vision,” Mr Albanese said.

Mr Albanese said that companies which emerge strong from the downturn in mining are those that inevitably benefit most from the return to higher commodity prices.

“This is not the first time we have faced these challenges. I am optimistic we will come out stronger,” he added.