DRC Mining Industry Awards Honour Best in Sector at iPAD DRC in Kinshasa

Kinshasa, Congo (Kinshasa), October 29, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Kibali Gold Project was named Mining Company of the Year at the inaugural DRC Mining Industry Awards that took place during a high-level gala dinner at the iPAD DRC Mining & Infrastructure Indaba on Wednesday, 22 October in Kinshasa.

The awards were organised in collaboration with the DRC Chamber of Mines and was attended by the DRC’s Minister of Mines, H.E. Martin Kabwelulu Labilo, who presented the Life Time Achievement Award and concluded the evening.

“We launched the DRC Mining Industry Awards to celebrate the success and the loyalty of our event participants during the past 10 years, recognising excellence within the mining sector and rewarding companies and individuals who have made a significant contribution to the industry,” says iPAD DRC event director Nicole Smith. She adds: “I want to congratulate the industry for taking part so enthusiastically in the nomination process. We all enjoyed a beautiful, sold-out gala dinner, honouring the leading lights in mining.”

1) Lifetime Achievement Award
The Managing Director of Tenke Fungurume Mining, Claude Polet, won the Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is given to an individual for achievements which have made an outstanding contribution to and impact on the DRC’s mining industry, whether from a public or private company or institution. Mr Polet has nearly 50 years of experience in the mining sector in DRC and Zambia. He was appointed MD of Tenke Fungurume in 2006.

Says iPAD DRC’s event director Nicole Smith: “this was certainly the most fiercely contested category of all the DRC Mining Industry Awards and we had some true mining pioneers competing for top honours. Congratulations to Mr Polet, a stalwart of our industry and a worthy winner – the mining community salutes him for his invaluable contribution. Well done also to our finalists who are certainly future title holders!”

The finalists in this category were:
• Mark Bristow, Chief Executive, Randgold Resources
• Jean Felix Mupande, Director General, Cadastre Minier
• Simon Tuma Waku, Vice President, Chamber of Mines
• Louis Watum, Director General, Kibali Gold

2) Mining company of the year
Kibali Gold Project was named the Mining Company of the Year in the inaugural DRC Mining Industry Awards. This award celebrates the mining company that overall has achieved top results in terms of output, cost savings, employee satisfaction, innovation and contributed to the overall development and growth of the sector in the DRC.

Finalists: Kamoto Copper Company, Tenke Fungurume Mining

3) Best performer in Environmental Management
The judges said that Tenke Fungurume Mining stands out in its efforts and is to be considered an example in its compliance with environmental regulations as part of its mining operations at a time when many businesses are damaging the environment during the implementation of mining projects.

Finalists: Ivanhoe Mines and Mutanda Mining

4) Best performer in Innovation
Energold Group won this award which honoured the company that has rolled out the most impressive state of the art mining technology and innovation creating production efficiency and streamlined processes. A veteran of the industry for more than 15 years, the judges praised Energold Group for having “an innovative approach to drilling.” They use small modular platforms which generate as much energy as the large ones thanks to hydraulics. This means that the group can operate earlier and without cutting trees.

Finalists: Kibali Gold Project, Kipoi

5) Best performer in Occupational Health and Safety
Tenke Fungurume Mining won this award thanks to its “approach to continually improve performance through the implementation of strong management systems and providing industry leading training and incentive programmes in compliance with security and health policies. The company’s philosophy of safe production is demonstrated by the integration of safety practices in all aspects of their operations.”

Finalists: Kamoa Project, Kamoto Copper Company

6) Best performer in Engineering
Group 5 works in all the technical aspects of mining: pipes, mechanics, cables, electricity, structures etc ... their challenge was to build a copper factory to produce 60 000 tons a year of Category A copper. This factory is situated in a very remote, rainy zone, with high malaria which makes for very difficult conditions. But they have worked more than 6 years in the DRC, so are in a good position to achieve all this.

Finalists: Kibali Gold Project, Tiger Resources

7) Best performer in Social Investment
According to the judges Tenke did very well in corporate responsibility since they have invested 3 billion dollars. Right now they employ 3500 people permanently and 4200 temporarily. 98 % of TFM staff is from Congo. 91 % of permanent employees are from Congo.

TFM continuously supports public health installations and also agricultural initiatives for better yields. A lot of local schools were renovated thanks to TFM's social investment.

Finalists: Kamoa Project, MMG, Kamoto Copper Company

Get into the field with the Katanga Mining Week
Following this week’s iPAD DRC Mining & Infrastructure Indaba, the fifth edition of Katanga Mining Week, will be celebrated in Lubumbashi from 28-29 October. The event has also become a reference for mining operators and is now the biggest exhibition in the DRC, giving the opportunity to suppliers to meet the key decision makers of the mining industry in Katanga.