FQM Launches Affordable Housing Initiative, Benefiting Over 300 Employees in Kalumbila
Over 300 employees of First Quantum Minerals (FQM) are set to benefit from the company’s affordable housing initiative in Kalumbila District. Through its subsidiary FQM Trident Limited, the mining giant has allocated 320 residential plots to its employees under the newly launched FQM Trident Employee Housing Initiative programme.
The project, which has seen an investment of K7.1 million so far, is designed to create a self-sustaining community near FQM’s mining operations. It aims to provide affordable housing solutions for employees, reflecting the company’s commitment to supporting its workforce and aligning with the Zambian government’s efforts to foster inclusive development.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Kalumbila District Commissioner Brenda Sankisa commended the initiative as a crucial milestone not only for FQM but for the entire Kalumbila community.
She emphasized that affordable housing is fundamental to human and socio-economic development, enabling families to build better futures.
Sankisa noted that this project aligns with Zambia’s Eighth National Development Plan and the National Housing Policy, which both prioritize sustainable and affordable housing solutions.
FQM Trident General Manager Scott Whitehead elaborated that the residential plots would be available to employees through payroll-based payment plans, ensuring affordability and inclusion. The company is also offering building material loans of up to K150,000 to eligible employees to support homeownership.
“At FQM Trident, we measure progress by the lives we uplift. Housing is a basic need, and through this initiative, we are turning that need into an opportunity,” said Whitehead.
The first phase of the project, dubbed “Pineapple One,” will provide 320 plots, with future phases, Pineapple Two and Three, set to offer an additional 496 plots. FQM’s long-term vision is to create a thriving town that will outlast the mine’s lifespan, fostering a stable community for future generations.
Kalumbila Town Development Corporation Manager, Michael Kabungo, highlighted that the project’s focus is to cater to low-income families, allowing them to incrementally build their homes. This initiative is part of a broader effort to develop the town in a way that ensures lasting benefits for Northwestern Province.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Josephine Bulaya expressed deep gratitude, describing the project as a “seed of dignity, stability, and hope for the future.”
She encouraged fellow employees to seize the opportunity to create lasting legacies for their families and communities.
