Ndola, Zambia: In a heart-warming display of corporate social responsibility, mining services provider Makor Resources and mining company Jubilee Metals Zambia have joined forces to alleviate the plight of subsistence farmers in Zambia. The initiative, which aims to provide agricultural inputs to farmers affected by a recent drought, is a testament to the companies’ commitment to the communities they operate in.

Ndola district commissioner Joseph Phiri, alongside Makor Resources CEO Brooke Bibeault and Jubilee Metals MD Ricus Grimbeek, spearheaded the distribution of Compound-D and Urea fertilizer, as well as drought-tolerant maize seedlings, to beneficiaries in the Munkulungwe ward.

The program was hosted by the Bwana Mkubwa families, recently resettled by former mine owners First Quantum Minerals. Ward councillor Lombe Kaweme, senior Ndola agricultural officer Zeniah Nambeye Chitema, civic leaders, and community members were also present.

“Our goal is to provide a lifeline to subsistence farmers, particularly those who have been displaced by the drought and the most vulnerable among us,” Bibeault emphasized. “These farmers have endured crop failures, food shortages, and malnutrition, forcing them to make desperate choices.”

The initiative targeted elders, the physically disabled, and widowed women who rely heavily on agriculture. Makor Resources and Jubilee Metals Zambia plan to expand this program to the rural communities surrounding the Munkoyo mine in Kapiri Mposhi later this month.

Beyond immediate relief, the partnership aims to promote sustainable agriculture, increase yields, and improve livelihoods in the face of climate change and environmental challenges. Bibeault and Grimbeek underscored the importance of collaboration between mining companies to positively impact communities.

“I advocate for cooperation among large-scale mining companies to enhance the lives of the communities we touch,” Grimbeek stated. “It’s not just good business; it’s the right thing to do.”

Many rural farms near mining operations face numerous challenges, including remoteness, rugged terrain, environmental risks, climate vulnerability, and reliance on subsistence farming. Limited access to agricultural inputs, particularly fertilizers, exacerbates these issues.

The companies’ initiative is a beacon of hope, offering a tangible solution to the pressing food security challenges facing Zambian communities. As Phiri highlighted, “Their contributions inspire others in the mining sector to engage in similar initiatives.”