abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

10 Dec 2018

Author:
Network for Community Resource Governance (Zambia)

NGO requests First Quantum Minerals to restore locals' livelihoods after resettlement to pave way for company's operations

See all tags Allegations

"Community Grievance Against FQM"

We write to bring to your attention how First Quantum Minerals’ resettlement program in Zambia’s 21 Miles Village has negatively impacted the local community and seek your intervention in the matter...As you may be aware, there is a copper mine initially operated by FQM located 2 km from the Zambian border, near Sakania, and currently operated by Eurasian Resources Group (ERG). Though located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the mine has direct negative social challenges to the Zambian community of 21 miles including on the local community relocated by FQM to pave way for your company’s entrance to the mine...

In 2009 the community was relocated and settled in a nearby area, currently owned by FQM. The villagers have several grievances regarding the resettlement.

  1. The houses that they were allocated are one bedroomed regardless of the size of the family. For instance, Beatrice Kashita, one of the relocated residents complains that the house she was relocated to is too small for her family of 12 people. This has forced her to construct additional grass-thatched houses to accommodate all the members of her household.
  2. The houses lack proper ventilation and some have incomplete flooring.
  3. FQM has not fulfilled its pledge to construct social amenities such as school and health facilities. Their children have to travel long distances to access the nearby public school with some opting to discontinue schooling.
  4. The land on which FQM resettled the villagers is less fertile than where they had originally settled. This has led to a drastic decline in food production compromising the villagers’ ability to meet their food requirement and sell any surplus to the market to meet their basic needs, as they used to in the past.
  5. FQM did not fulfil its undertaking to provide them with basic food supplies for one year immediately after the relocation.
  6. FQM did not fulfil its undertaking to provide them with farm inputs for five years immediately after the relocation to support them with adaptation techniques.

Privacy information

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies. You can set your privacy choices below. Changes will take effect immediately.

For more information on our use of web storage, please refer to our Data Usage and Cookies Policy

Strictly necessary storage

ON
OFF

Necessary storage enables core site functionality. This site cannot function without it, so it can only be disabled by changing settings in your browser.

Analytics cookie

ON
OFF

When you access our website we use Google Analytics to collect information on your visit. Accepting this cookie will allow us to understand more details about your journey, and improve how we surface information. All analytics information is anonymous and we do not use it to identify you. Google provides a Google Analytics opt-out add on for all popular browsers.

Promotional cookies

ON
OFF

We share news and updates on business and human rights through third party platforms, including social media and search engines. These cookies help us to understand the performance of these promotions.

Your privacy choices for this site

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies to enhance your experience beyond necessary core functionality.