12 July 2022
Kagem awarded for mining excellence.
The Kagem emerald mine in Zambia has been awarded ISO certification in acknowledgement of its high standards.
This honour recognises Kagem’s longstanding dedication to excellence in workplace safety for its employees, environmental protections and assuring the quality of its precious product: its world-famous emeralds. Gemfields is proud to co-own this mine, in Lufwanyama district, with the Zambian government and to have played a role in enabling its excellent work since acquiring 75% of it in 2008.
The International Standards Organisation (ISO) is the highest world standards body, setting internationally recognised standards across industries that companies must meet. Receiving their stamp of approval testifies to Gemfields’ continued efforts to uphold the highest standards within the coloured gemstone industry in the realms of health, safety, environment and quality.
Lufwanyama District Commissioner Justin Mwalikwa declared: “We are very happy with the efforts that Kagem is continually making in improving their operations and their operational environment… it gives us great pleasure to see the mine make great strides in meeting international standards in mining operations.”
Bureau Veritas Certification Manager Elias Mwale said: “Kagem is demonstrating to Zambia and the world at large that it cares about the environment. The company does not just extract the mineral reserves, but also leaves the environment in such a manner that it can be used by generations to come.”
Kagem – believed to be the world’s single largest producing emerald mine – has always been committed to ensuring that the local community around the mine thrives, and benefits positively from its operations. The ISO certification is proof of the success of its mission and of the model partnership between Gemfields and the Zambian government.