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Lundin Mining Corporation is committed to conducting its exploration and project development in a sustainable and socially responsible manner, taking into account the needs and concerns of the communities where we operate. The Company believes in
- Operating in an environmentally responsible manner
- Working safely
- Maintaining high standards of ethics, honesty, transparency and integrity
- Being responsible corporate citizens, benefiting communities where we do business
Development Standards
Through its Congolese entity Tenke Fungurume Mining SARL ("TFM"), Lundin Mining, working in conjunction with operating partner Freeport McMoRan are committed to implementing high standards in the responsible development of the Tenke Fungurume mineral concessions, recognizing the needs of the local communities and the region and respecting the importance to the DRC of this important asset. The Tenke Fungurume Project is being developed under the following standards:
- The Equator Principles
- Voluntary Principles for Security and Human Rights
- OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
- WHO Water Quality Standards
- Applicable IFC Guidelines
- Freeport McMoRan high corporate standards, including their safety program "Zero and Beyond"
Social Programs
In accordance with the development standards being applied to the Tenke Fungurume Project, and taking into account issues and needs identified in consultation with local villagers, community leaders and provincial authorities, a comprehensive program of social development activities has been implemented on the project.
 Significant funding has been allocated during the capital phase for social programs and community facilities needed prior to startup. During mine operations, a special social development fund has been committed by the project whereby 0.3 % of net sales revenue will provide annual funding to local and regional social development projects. This fund and its projects will be managed by a board of trustees with involvement by the operator, community leaders, local government authorities and specialist program advisors.
Current social development programs are aimed at increasing local capacity and improving living conditions for the communities within the Tenke Fungurume mineral concessions. These programs are being managed largely by a Non-Government Organization ("NGO") PACT Congo, who in turn are supervising specialist NGO's for each of the social projects underway. Pre-operation phase social programs currently in progress include:
Agriculture
- TFM has historically pre-funded maize production from Katanga based farmers to replace the former reliance on imported maize from Zimbabwe and Zambia. As the project advances into the construction phase, specific programs to increase agricultural capacity within the area of the mineral concessions is a high priority
- through the Lukotola Mission, the project has implemented distribution and training in the use of improved seed varieties, and crop purchase plans including cooperative product storage and sales to improve local productivity, stabilize pricing and improve revenue to local farmers
- also through the Lukotola Mission, more than 60 pairs of oxen, implements and training in animal traction agriculture has been provided. This program which involves the loaning of pairs of oxen to farmers is increasing the local farmer's maize production capacity by a factor of 4 times that of their former manual practices
Education
- construction of a new school accommodating 300 of the Fungurume village's most underprivileged children went into operation in October 2006.
- a second school to provide for an additional 300 students will soon be in operation within the village of Tenke.
- the former Gecamines school west of Fungurume is also being refurbished to complete the first phase of reopening primary educational facilities in the area.
- for each of these schools, specialist NGO's funded by the project have facilitated locally manufactured school building materials and classroom furnishings and organized teachers and school supplies to support sustainable school operations
Human Rights
- specific programs have been implemented in the area of the concessions to help protect the human rights of the local residents.
- TFM and government security personnel undergo specific training in the voluntary principles of security and human rights, and detailed supervision and procedures are in place to maintain these policies.
- In keeping with the project's criteria of fair recruitment and employment, a number of women have been hired within the security personnel and this has been very successful in dealing with past community concerns.
- given the project is bring a level of regularly paid employment never seen in the area before, procedures for safe distribution of wages and programs for employee banking are being investigated to help protect the security of wage earners and their savings.
Medical
- for year's TFM has been supporting WHO vaccination programs and this practice continues.
- historically, TFM has employed the only doctor and nurses in the area. Staffing of doctors and nurses has been increased, a new ambulance purchased and the TFM plane has recently been outfitted with emergency medical evacuation equipment.
- a malarial abatement program has commenced to tackle one of the greatest issues facing the local communities.
- an HIV and sexually transmitted disease awareness program is being conducted to combat these evolving community issues.
Micro Enterprise Initiative
- through NGO's, more than 20 micro-enterprise projects have been started including local brick manufacture, fencing production and others. Products from these new businesses are being purchased by the project to help satisfy construction needs.
National Road Re-construction
TFM along with a number of other new project developers along the road corridor between Lubumbashi and Kolwezi have taken it upon themselves to begin reconstruction of the national highway between Nguba and Kolwezi. TFM is reconstructing 40 kilometers of the national highway at its expense, using local labor and Katangan contractors.
Training and Technology Transfer
 A number of Gecamins employees have been seconded onto the project team in Perth Australia, Phoenix, Arizona and in Lubumbashi in areas of mine and process plant design, power supply and social programs.
In addition, TFM employees are being given specialized training in principles of security and human rights, guidance in dealing with corruption issues, practical training in vehicle operation and other important project activities. Freeport McMoRan intend to implement their corporate operating staff training programs, including use of heavy equipment operations simulators and other trades training.
Safety
Worker safety is an essential and core aspect of Freeport McMoRan's approach to project development and mine operations. Extensive training is being given to TFM supervisors and staff to promote safe operations and practices.
Village Fresh Water Supply
Through funding being provided by the Lundin for Africa Foundation, ten fresh water wells within the Tenke Fungurume mineral concessions are being drilled in communities remote from the planned areas for mining operations, bringing safe fresh water to an estimated 5000 villagers in the area. A second phase of water wells is being planned thereafter to reach more of the 40 small communities in the region.
Goma Women's Surgical Facility and Shelter
In support of Dr. Lusi of Heal Africa and Vancouver based Souls In Stride, funding has been provided for a surgical centre aiding women affected by violent rape as a result of the conflict in the Goma region. This year, through our funding of the Lundin for Africa Foundation, we are providing funding to aid in the building of housing for 30 women and their children, a community school, a medical clinic, general hall, animal husbandry and agricultural project related to the surgical centre.
Other African country programs
Lundin for Africa, the philanthropic arm of the Lundin Group of Companies supports participatory grassroots initiatives across Africa that encourage and enable sustainable community development. LFA support focuses on four primary areas:
- Improved Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods
- Technical and Vocational Training
- Financial Services for the Poor
- Private Sector Development
To date, LFA has approved 23 projects in nine countries. Please see the Lundin for Africa website for further information
Tenke Fungurume Community Consultation
As directed by Golder Associates, its specialized consultants and assisting NGO's extensive local villager, regional community and provincial authority consultation has been conducted to understand local issues, needs and concerns. Further information is available on the Freeport McMoRan website.
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