Anglo American partnership brings Covid-19 testing for 130 000 people in Zambia
26 November, 2020
Anglo American is today opening a Covid-19 testing laboratory, located in Solwezi, Zambia, close to its mineral exploration activities and in support of the Zambian government’s efforts to increase testing capacity in the country’s North-Western province.
In partnership with First Quantum Minerals, this Covid-19 testing laboratory will benefit 130 000 people in the Zambezi and Chavuma districts over the next 12 months, representing one of the largest private sector-led Covid-19 testing initiatives in the country.
David Wood, Discovery Manager at Anglo American, said: “We are pleased to be supporting the Zambian government’s efforts to increase Covid-19 testing capacity in Zambia. We have been working on this initiative for some time now, and are pleased that it will ensure that the communities close to where we are exploring have access to rapid and high quality testing services – crucial in helping manage the spread of Covid-19.”
Anglo American’s investment in this initiative will enable the initial sourcing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing kits, medical consumables and personal protective equipment for those on the frontline. Specimens will be transported from the Zambezi and Chavuma districts to the Anglo American Covid-19 testing laboratory in Solwezi.
First Quantum Minerals will assist with the day-to-day running of the testing laboratory, working with Anglo American to ensure that the testing strategy is implemented successfully. The two companies have also partnered with the Mary Begg Clinic in Solwezi, Zambia, which will provide its health expertise. This initiative is supported by the Zambian government through its various health agencies: the Zambian Ministry of Health, the Health Professions Council of Zambia, and the Zambian Medicines Regulatory Authority.
Anthony Mukutuma, General Manager at First Quantum Minerals, said: “Zambia is an important jurisdiction for us. Lending a hand to help the country with its response to this pandemic is something we take pride in. We are proud of our partnership with Anglo American, which has enabled the successful commissioning of this testing facility.”
This initiative forms part of Anglo American’s global WeCare lives and livelihoods programme in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. WeCare aims to provide wide-ranging support and help to safeguard the company’s employees and host communities from the spread and other social and economic effects of the pandemic. Since the onset of the pandemic, Anglo American has invested over $40 million globally into relief efforts in southern Africa, the Americas, Australia and the UK.