Protecting Zambia’s flora and fauna

Working with the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife (“DNPW”) and through third party partnerships, First Quantum provides logistical, technical, financial and managerial support for the conservation of the West Lunga Ecosystem through the following:

• Funding the recruitment, training and equipment of wildlife rangers
• Provision of vehicle maintenance and transport support
• Development of infrastructure
• Conservation-related livelihood programs in surrounding communities
• Creation of a Community Game Reserve in Ntambu Chiefdom
• Supporting a honey outgrower program: Community Tourism Camp

The overall objective of the various partnerships are to restore the WLE to its full ecological potential following years of illegal hunting and unsustainable land use.

Biodiversity monitoring

The Trident team, working alongside expert consultants, undertook a field survey to ascertain the present ecological integrity of the mine and understand the potential impacts mining has on biological receptors and the environment. The dormouse and Colotis butterfly are part of the incredible ecosystem monitored by our team at Trident; their numbers are carefully observed to ensure the ecosystem remains healthy.

Forest conservation

The conservation and protection of 142,000 hectares of area of the National Forest Reserve adjacent to the Trident surface rights area is co-managed. Carbon assessment results of the forests indicate a carbon sequestration capacity of 14 million tonnes of carbon, with over 60,000 seedlings planted for forest restoration.

Reforestation

The tree nursery at Trident produced thousands of seedlings, of which, 16,000 were planted. 18 hectares of the waste rock dumps were stabilized and restored in 2024.

Aquatic biodiversity monitoring assessment

A fish and macro-invertebrate (water insects) survey was conducted on the four rivers surrounding Trident. A general increase of fish species downstream was recorded from the previous year’s studies, an indication of the good water quality released to receiving environments.

Wildlife conservation

The estimated wildlife population at the Trident site includes 1,600 wild ungulates, comprising 13 different species such as antelopes and buffalo. Additionally, it is an ecologically important area for the endangered whitebellied tree pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis). Conservation efforts for pangolins include rescue and release programs, law enforcement, and awareness initiatives in schools.

Community forestry

Co-financing from UNEP GEF 7, supports the establishment of a 40,000 hectares community forest management area to enhance community livelihoods through sustainable community-led forest initiatives, such as carbon trading and other non-timber forest product enterprises.