Kansanshi Mining Plc’s mining Engineer Maambo Malambo is Zambia’s Mining Woman of the year 2017. She is only 32.
Maambo was crowned at the prestigious Zambia Chamber of Mines annual Gala Awards of excellence held Ndola’s Protea Hotel by Marriot on November 2nd 2018.
According to the five-member panel of judges, Maambo has demonstrated exemplary service, leadership and professional integrity and has been a true role model.
The judges also said Maambo exhibited innovation, was always ready to try new things and had led trials for alternative blasting methods and techniques that led less costly methods of secondary blasting.
She is said to have been instrumental in the development of the process and structure of fatigue management, which uses technology and counselling to drive and build a safer mine.
Her adherence to safety rules and regulations as well as her demonstrating value addition in her area of work easily caught the judge’s admiration.
“Contrary to some perceptions out there that for a woman to succeed at something she needs to be favored, I am here as a true example to other women that it’s possible for us to compete and be able to emerge triumphant,” Maambo said.
In an interview after receiving her accolade, Maambo said she believed her company had not given her any special treatment in her journey to scooping the award.
“First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Kansanshi Mining Plc has given me whatever is required to perform and produce results.
“I am one person who always looks out for the newest products, things that can help us solve the problems that we encounter on the mine,” Maambo said.
She said, First Quantum Minerals and Kansanshi Mining Plc did a good job because the award was achieved because of team work.
Maambo has worked for FQM Kansanshi Mining Plc in Solwezi for seven years.
She is a beneficiary of the mine’s sponsorship of her Masters’ programme in Mining Engineering which she acquired from Camborne School of Mining in the United Kingdom in 2015.
Maambo holds a master’s degree in Mining Engineering, which she feels is adequately helping her focus on getting experience in the industry and may encourage her to pursue more master’s degrees before she goes for a PhD.
She thanked FQM for believing in her. She said through team work , she and her peers can deliver even better results.
By John Chola, Times of Zambia.
