In response to the severe drought that has left many Zambians food-insecure and disrupted agricultural livelihoods, Makor Resources and Jubilee Metals Zambia have joined forces to aid subsistence farmers. This initiative complements government efforts to provide vital farming inputs to those most in need.
Key members involved in this effort, including Ndola District Commissioner Joseph Phiri, Makor Resources CEO Brooke Bibeault, and Jubilee Metals Managing Director Ricus Grimbeek, distributed fertiliser and drought-resistant maize seeds to farmers in the Munkulungwe Ward of Ndola. The event, hosted by the Bwana Mkubwa families resettled last year, saw active participation from local leaders, agricultural officers, and community members.
The programme targets vulnerable groups, including elderly farmers, widowed women, and individuals with physical disabilities who rely on farming for survival. Many of these individuals face extreme challenges such as crop failures, reduced harvests, food shortages, and malnutrition. According to Brooke Bibeault, this assistance aims to alleviate immediate hardships while enabling farmers to rebuild their agricultural productivity and resilience.
Highlighting the broader impact, Jubilee Metals’ Ricus Grimbeek stressed the value of partnerships in improving living conditions for communities affected by mining activities. He called for greater collaboration among mining companies to create positive social impacts, framing it as both a moral imperative and sound business practice.
The rural areas surrounding mining operations often grapple with difficult environmental conditions, climate vulnerabilities, and limited access to critical resources like fertilisers and markets. These factors exacerbate food insecurity and malnutrition, making interventions like this crucial. Ndola District Commissioner Joseph Phiri lauded the contributions of Makor Resources and Jubilee Metals as exemplary acts of solidarity, urging other companies to undertake similar initiatives.
In a continuation of their efforts, Makor Resources and Jubilee Metals plan to expand the programme to rural communities near the Munkoyo Mine in Kapiri Mposhi later this month. With heavy rains forecasted for the season, this timely donation of seeds and fertiliser is expected to strengthen food security and enhance agricultural productivity for many households.
This initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing critical challenges like food insecurity and climate adaptation, fostering resilience among vulnerable communities in Zambia.
Jubilee Metals Group plc (LON:JLP) is a diversified metal recovery business with a world-class portfolio of projects in South Africa and Zambia. The Company’s expanding multi-project portfolio across South Africa and Zambia provides exposure to a broad commodity basket including Platinum Group Metals, chrome, lead, zinc, vanadium, copper and cobalt.
