FQM Kansanshi Crowned Mining Company of the Year at Landmark Zambia Chamber of Mines 10th Mining Awards Gala

By Yewa Kumwenda

In a night celebrating industry resilience, innovation and sustainable practices, FQM Kansanshi Mining PLC emerged as the night’s biggest winner, crowning an exceptional evening by taking home the prestigious Mining Company of the Year 2025 title. The honour was bestowed during the Zambia Chamber of Mines (ZCM) 10th Annual Mining Awards Gala dinner, held on Friday, 30th October 2026, at the Protea Hotel in Ndola.

FQM Kansanshi dominance shone through as it secured three of the nine primary awards presented, underscoring its leadership across human resource management, health and safety standards.

The milestone gala was graced by Copperbelt Permanent Secretary, Mr. Lawrence Mwanza, who represented the Guest of Honour, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Dr. Hapenga M. Kabeta.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Mwanza emphasised that the awards serve a vital purpose in promoting safe and sustainable mining practices across Zambia while recognising leadership and excellence. He underscored the critical imperative for mining houses to actively champion local content initiatives, ensuring that Zambian businesses and individuals competently participate throughout the mining value chain.

Echoing these sentiments, Zambia Chamber of Mines Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sokwani Chilembo, marked the evening as a major milestone for the Chamber in hosting its 10th edition of the awards. Mr. Chilembo said that the annual mining awards were about celebrating mining companies for operational excellence, safety and community investment, among others.

Key Highlights and International Mine Rescue Honours

The evening also celebrated extraordinary operational skill and safety excellence, highlighted by international achievements and double award winners:

• FQM Trident Mine and Mopani Copper Mines PLC stood out by capturing two main awards each.
• Mopani Copper Mines (Mufulira Team) received special recognition as the Silver Medalists at the historic International Mines Rescue Competition (IMRC 2026 Zambia) — the very first time this global event was hosted on African soil, co-hosted by Mopani and Kansanshi.
• Konkola Copper Mines (Konkola Mine Rescue Team) was honoured for securing a Bronze Medal in the First Aid Category at the same IMRC 2026 competition.
• Lubambe Copper Mine was celebrated for winning the Best First Aid Team in 2026 accolade, alongside their individual category win.
• NFCA Mining was recognised among the elite award recipients for its pioneering innovative mining industry work.
• Key officials from Mopani, Kansanshi, Konkola, NFCA, CNMC Luanshya, Albidon, the Zambia Chamber of Mines and Expressions Zambia, were also singled out and commended for their pivotal organisational contributions in executing a seamless IMRC 2026.

The rigorous awards process was adjudicated by an independent panel representing academia (Copperbelt University), civil society, and key regulatory institutions including the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development (MMMD), the Minerals Regulation Commission (MRC), the Occupational Health and Safety Institute (OHSI) and the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA).

Summary of Awards and 2025 Winners

Here is the complete list of winners honoured at the Zambia Chamber of Mines 10th Mining Awards Gala Dinner:

Special IMRC and Operational Honours:

• Silver Medalist (IMRC 2026): Mopani Copper Mines (Mufulira Mine Rescue Team)
• Bronze Medalist – First Aid (IMRC 2026): Konkola Copper Mines (Konkola Mine Rescue Team)
• Best First Aid Team 2026: Lubambe Copper Mine
• Dr. Roy Mwamba – Outstanding contribution to the field of Occupational Safety, Health and Environment in the Zambian mining industry.
• Mr. Dean Mwewa – Outstanding contribution in raising Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental standards in the Zambian mining sector.