CHINGOLA, February 17, 2017 – Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has in the last seven years extended its support to the education sector and primarily government-run schools by introducing scholarships to students achieving high marks in grades seven and nine national examinations.

The scholarships are an addition to KCM’s construction of classrooms and sanitary facilities in government schools, support to adult literacy programmes and scholarships for university study at home and abroad to students from public schools and the KCM run Nchanga Trust and Konkola Trust secondary schools.

Today, the company announced the award of scholarships to 40 students from government schools in Nampundwe, Chingola, Kitwe and Chililabombwe under the KCM scholastic excellence programme, which rewards high achievers. The new scholarships bring to 294 the number of students that have been supported since 2010.

His Royal Highness Senior Chief Shakumbila, who was the Guest of Honour during the scholarships awards in Nampundwe, said KCM’s gesture was important for the promotion of quality education and development of young Zambians.

“The awarding of scholarships to the 40 pupils in the four districts where KCM operates underlines the importance and care the company pays to the development of young people,” Senior Chief Shakumbila said.

Senior Chief Shakumbila also applauded KCM for extending its A-level programme at Nchanga Trust School in Chingola to government schools.

KCM’s Nampundwe Mine Manager Reuben Chongo disclosed that the company would this year spend three hundred and eighteen thousand kwacha (K318,000) on the high school scholarships in Kitwe, Chingola and Chililabombwe and Nampundwe.

“KCM will provide the students with full sponsorship of school fees until the next examination in our continuing partnership with the communities and the government,” Mr Chongo said.

“The awards are designed to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all,” Mr Chongo said.

KCM funded the upgrading of Nampundwe high school to a boarding school by building more classrooms, dormitories, science and computer laboratories, ablution blocks and also donated desks. The company has also trained pre-school teachers and donated teaching aids and uniforms to 26 rural pre-schools in Shibuyunji which cater for over 1,100 children.

For any clarification contact:

Shapi Shachinda

Manager Public Relations & Communications

Mobile: 0978 871958  

About KCM:

Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) is one of Zambia’s largest copper producers, with mining operations in Chingola, Chililabombwe, Kitwe and Nampundwe. KCM is a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources plc (“Vedanta”), a London-listed diversified global natural resources company. The group produces aluminium, copper, zinc, lead, silver, iron ore, oil & gas and commercial energy. Vedanta has operations in India, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, Ireland and Australia. With an empowered talent pool globally, Vedanta places strong emphasis on partnering with all its stakeholders based on the core values of trust, sustainability, growth, entrepreneurship, integrity, respect and care. For more information on Vedanta Resources, visit www.vedantaresources.com. The state-owned ZCCM-IH holds a signi­ficant shareholding (20.6%) in KCM. Since 2004, KCM has invested almost US$4 billion to upgrade and expand company assets. KCM is one of the largest private sector employers in the country and maintains one of the most comprehensive corporate social investment programmes in Zambia, focused on four pillars – education, health and sustainable livelihoods and sport.