Following a period of concurrent but transient challenges that weighed on near-term cash flow, gemstone miner Gemfields’ priority for this year is to focus resources on securing profitability across the group, says Gemfields CEO Sean Gilbertson.

The company operates the openpit Kagem emerald mine in the southern part of Zambia’s Copperbelt region.

“Stabilisation remains front and centre, which entails restoring predictable operating rhythms and resuming a regular auction cadence, as well as embedding efficiency and risk controls.”

The mine comprises several openpits, including Chama, Chibolele, Kamakanga and Fibolele.

Kagem Mining is operated and 75%-owned by Gemfields, while the government of Zambia holds the remaining 25% interest.

Kagem Mining produces about 25% of the global supply of rough emeralds, and stabilising, rebuilding and deleveraging efforts across the group will enable Gemfields to become more resilient, with greater predictability of production, as well as being positioned to compound value over the long term, says Gilbertson.

Gemfields expects performance, transparency and prudent capital allocation to result in improved financial outcomes.

Further aligned to transparency efforts is Kagem Mining’s recently released “G-Factor for Natural Resources” index for the period ending December 31, 2025, which is at 17% from 2016 to 2025.

Gemfields developed the index as a measurement mechanism to promote transparency regarding the percentage of natural resource revenue paid to host governments in the form of mineral royalties, corporation tax and, where government is a shareholder – such as in Kagem Mining – dividends, he explains.

Gilbertson affirms that it is “vital” to have a strong relationship with local governments and the communities in which Gemfields operates, as the coloured gemstones that the company mines should create a positive impact for the countries and communities from which they originate.

Alongside its transparency initiative, the company also funds corporate social responsibility projects to improve the health, education and livelihoods for communities surrounding its mines. Gemfields also supports local conservation partners and has created its charitable arm Gemfields Foundation to amplify work already carried out by Gemfields.

Safety Milestones
In February this year, Kagem Mining was recognised by Zambian mining regulatory body Minerals Regulation Commission as having achieved four consecutive years without a lost-time injury (LTI), having previously surpassed 7.5-million LTI-free hours in July 2024, and 10-million LTI-free hours in May 2025.

“The . . . achievement has been a collective effort, with employees playing their role to uphold the zero-harm culture and maintain the safety standards in place,” says Kagem Mining health, safety, environment and quality head Benedict Bukoka.

Kagem Mining was also named Best Mine in Safety in 2024 by the Zambia Chamber of Mines as well as in 2025 by the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary.

The mine was also the first recipient of the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary’s Safety Award trophy in recognition of its strong safety record in 2024.

“The mine’s sustained milestones reflect its aim to be a leader within the mining sector, striving to prove that world-class safety and commercial performance can coexist,” says Bukoka.

He attributes these achievements to a combination of systems implementation and cultural shifts, with an emphasis on values-driven prevention as opposed to being “merely” compliance-driven.

Demonstrating its commitment to safety, Kagem Mining is an early adopter of Zambia’s Vision Zero mining initiative, aligned with the International Social Security Association and Zambia Chamber of Mines.

Kagem Mining has achieved various certifications from standards body International Organisation for Standardisation, pertaining to the management of systems regarding the environment, occupational health and safety, quality and information security. These certifications provide structured risk identification, control and continual improvement, ensuring that safety is integrated in every operational decision.

“Beyond the health, safety, environment and quality department, senior management are personally accountable to ensure safety, including conducting regular shop-floor engagements, walk-arounds and open dialogues with workers and contractors. This has helped transform safety from a ‘departmental function’ into a shared mindset,” adds Bukoka.

Moreover, Kagem Mining takes a proactive approach entailing near-miss accident reporting, safety observation, risk assessments and continuous tracking of unsafe acts and conditions to allow hazards to be addressed before injuries occur.

Safety processes and assessments are embedded into mine planning, pit design, equipment selection and contractor mobilisation while mechanisation and data-driven analysis further support safer practices in high-risk areas, he concludes.