Protection of Zambian flora and fauna

In collaboration with the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and through third-party partnerships, First Quantum provides logistical, technical, financial and administrative support for the conservation of the West Lunga ecosystem.

Funding the hiring, training and equipment of wildlife rangers Vehicle maintenance and transportation support Infrastructure development Conservation-related livelihood programs in surrounding communities Creation of a community animal reserve in the Ntambu domain Support for a honey farming program Community tourism camp The overall goal of the various partnerships is to restore the West Lunga ecosystem to its full ecological potential after years of illegal hunting and unsustainable land use.

Biodiversity monitoring

The Trident team, in collaboration with expert consultants, conducted a field survey to assess the current ecological integrity of the mine and understand the potential impacts that mining activity may have on biological receptors and the environment. The dormouse and Colotis butterfly are part of the amazing ecosystem monitored by our Trident team. Their population is closely monitored to ensure that the ecosystem remains healthy.

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

Reforestation

Trident’s tree nursery produced thousands of seedlings, of which 16,000 were planted. In 2024, 18 hectares of waste rock dumps were stabilized and restored.

Evaluation of aquatic biodiversity monitoring

A fish and macroinvertebrate (aquatic insects) survey was conducted in the four rivers surrounding Trident. An overall increase in downstream fish species was recorded compared to the previous year’s surveys, indicating good quality of water released to the receiving environments.

Wildlife conservation

The estimated wildlife population at the Trident site includes 1600 wild ungulates, comprising 13 different species such as antelope and buffalo. In addition, it is an ecologically important area for the endangered white-bellied pangolin(Phataginus tricuspis). Conservation efforts for pangolins include rescue and release programs, law enforcement and awareness initiatives in schools.

Community forestry

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) co-financing from the seventh cycle of the Global Environment Facility (or (GEF-7) supports the establishment of a 40,000 hectare community forest management area to improve community livelihoods through community-led sustainable forestry initiatives such as carbon trading and other non-timber forest product enterprises.