Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has reaffirmed its strong commitment to workplace safety after hosting its inaugural 2026 Inter-Departmental First Aid Competition, held under the theme “First Aid Where Knowledge Meets Action.”

Organised in partnership with the Chamber of Mines of Zambia Council for First Aid, the event brought together KCM departments and contractor teams to showcase life-saving abilities, technical competence, and emergency response readiness.

Beyond competition, the event highlighted a deeper message: first aid is not about winning trophies, but about building confidence, saving lives, and fostering a workplace culture where employees are ready to respond when every second counts.

That message was powerfully demonstrated in real time when a medical emergency involving an attendee occurred during the proceedings. Participants and trained first aiders responded immediately, putting their skills into action and underscoring the true value of preparedness in saving lives.

Speaking at the event, Chamber of Mines of Zambia Council for First Aid representative, Dr. Mieke Mulenga, praised KCM for its consistent investment in first aid training, describing the company as one of the mining sector’s leading champions of workplace safety.

Dr. Mulenga, who began her own first aid journey at KCM, said the company remains “part of her DNA,” commending its role in producing highly skilled first aiders and Advanced First Aid practitioners. She noted that KCM has one of the highest numbers of Gold Medalists and Advanced First Aid holders in Zambia.

“The true measure of first aid training is how people respond when an emergency actually happens. Today, we witnessed exactly that,” she said.

She further applauded KCM’s broader emergency preparedness, pointing to the recent third-place finish by the KCM Mine Rescue Team at the International Mine Rescue Competition, an achievement that placed Zambia firmly on the global mine rescue map.

Guest of Honour, KCM General Manager for Power and Electrical, Dr. Likonge Mulenga, emphasized that first aid is not only a workplace requirement but a personal responsibility.

“This competition reminds us that first aid is not just a skill, it is a responsibility and a duty to help those around us,” she said.

Dr. Mulenga commended participants for their dedication and described the event as an important platform for learning, collaboration, and strengthening collective readiness.

She revealed that first aid training coverage across KCM business units and contractors now averages above 85%, with some units achieving even higher compliance levels, and challenged all teams to work towards 100% coverage.

She also thanked management for their continued support and acknowledged contractor partners HANHE, RELIANT, ACC, and OPEMIN for their commitment to safety and active participation in the competition.

The highlight of the event came during the awards ceremony, where Team KCM Nampundwe Mine, together with its contractor partners, emerged as overall champions. The team secured first place and the prestigious Overall Best Act Award for outstanding performance, teamwork, and discipline.

KCM management congratulated Team Nampundwe and all participants, encouraging the winners to carry their momentum into the upcoming Inter-Company First Aid Competition.

As the event concluded, one message stood out clearly: when knowledge meets action, lives are saved.

Through continued investment in training and emergency preparedness, KCM remains committed to its zero-harm vision and ensuring that every employee returns home safely each day.