At 9 a.m. local time on April 30, Zambia, NFC Africa Mining PLC (hereinafter referred to as “NFC Africa Mining”), a CNMC funded company in Zambia, received a special “temperature measurement assistant” in its “Ark” Community during the period of epidemic prevention and control. Richard Musukwa, Minister of Mines and Mineral Development, led a delegation composed of Mufulira, District Councilor Evans Chibanda, Kalulushi Mayor Rashida Mulenga, Kalulushi Regional Commissioner Kenny Siachisumo, and reporters of local mainstream media to the “Ark” Community of NFC Africa Mining. He visited the Training School in the Southeastern Ore Body, the factory building in the cooperation zone, the Southeastern Mining Service Building, the complex building, and the dormitory site of geological exploration employees of NFC Africa Mining. During the visit, he communicated with employees in Zambia and listened to a special report on the epidemic prevention and control of NFC Africa Mining. He said, “NFC Africa Mining sets a very good example and offers solutions for the Zambian mining industry to tackle a chain of difficulties in stabilizing production during the epidemic period.” Minister Richard Musukwa brought a thermometer for temperature measurement of people present.
 

Richard Musukwa (left) showing his thermometer
 

Mining production is a backbone of the national economy in Zambia. During the epidemic period, maintaining stable production and containing the epidemic in mining enterprises are crucial to the economic, social and cultural stability of Zambia. As the first Chinese mining enterprise and the “pacesetter” for digital construction of mines in Zambia, NFC Africa Mining is extensively influential and is faced with a complex and extremely difficult task in epidemic prevention and control due to a large number of employees working in two mining areas, three ore bodies, and 17 cooperative units.

In order to successfully stabilize production and contain the epidemic, NFC Africa Mining adopted the guidelines of “all lockdown, small-scale isolation, same rules, and joint efforts”, and resolutely met the requirement of Wang Tongzhou, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CNMC and Chairman of the Holding Group for “imposing strict defense, management and control and allowing no infection and no imported case on the production site steadfastly and at all costs”. It kept working to improve the emergency response plans for epidemic prevention and control and for production organization, and solidly promoted three priorities, namely stabilizing and protecting production, completing the major infrastructure project in the Southeastern Ore Body, and guaranteeing epidemic prevention and control. At the same time, it also organized donations of materials for epidemic prevention and control to local government departments and social organizations, and took active part in building a social epidemic prevention and control system in Zambia.  
 

Richard Musukwa talking with employees in the dormitory and trying on the bed
 

The “Ark” Community is a dormitory that NFC Africa Mining built for its employees under the guideline of “all lockdown, small-scale isolation” to overcome the epidemic challenge. It has attracted extensive social attention since it was put into use on April 24. It received a “significant test” when the Minister made this special trip from the capital Lusaka to Kitwe in Copperbelt Province.
 

Richard Musukwa interested in cultural and sports activities of employees in the Ark Community
 

When Minister Richard Musukwa and his entourage arrived at the dormitory of employees in the “Ark” Community which was the Training School in the Southeastern Ore Body, they not only found posters that read “Wash your hands often, wear masks, no dining together, stay indoors, seek early isolation, and do more exercise” in both Chinese and English, but also saw a complete range of indoor and outdoor living facilities. Minister Richard Musukwa even tried on a bed in that clean and comfortable environment and said, “The mattress is comfortable, good!”; he asked a Zambia employee who lived in the dormitory, “How are you feeling these days?” “Very good!” Pongaponga Stephen Kabwe replied with a smile.

In the cooperative dormitory site of the “Ark” Community, private space was partitioned by a piece of colored cloth between each bed, and every resident employee had a small locker and charging power for mobile phone. In the outdoor lounge area, four TV sets were showing different programs. Some Zambian employees were watching TV, while others were playing chess. Minister Richard Musukwa was interested to watch two employees play chess and battle it out for 8 minutes. In another dormitory point for Sinotech Minerals Exploration Co., Ltd. in the “Ark” Community, the employees were making Nsima (a kind of Zambian food). Minister Richard Musukwa couldn’t help but also tried his hand at it.

Minister Richard Musukwa and his entourage also visited the Mining Service Building where miners get bathing and laundry services, and it has been the most comprehensive downhole service building for miners in Zambia so far. Not far from the building is the field infirmary in the “Ark” Community which provides immediate medical services for resident employees.
 

Hu Guobin (left), Vice President of CNMC and General Manager of NFC Africa Mining, reporting on the digital mine construction
 

After the trip, Minister Richard Musukwa and his entourage spoke highly of the anti-epidemic measures and the efforts of NFC Africa Mining in the fight against the epidemic. “I hope that NFC Africa Mining can consistently work on this well and lend more support to the epidemic prevention and control in the region.” Zambia mainstream media like the national broadcasting company, Times of Zambia, Daily Mail, and Zambia News Agency participated and covered this trip.