Tenke Fungurume and Ivanhoe Mines big winners at DRC Mining Industry Awards in Lubumbashi

LUBUMBASHI, Congo, The DR of - June 10, 2016 - PRLog -- Tenke Fungurume was named Mining Company of the Year for the second year in a row at the DRC Mining Industry Awards on Wednesday, while Ivanhoe claimed victory in two categories. The Managing Director of Ivanhoe Mines, Louis Watum, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Ivanhoe also won the Clean Energy Project of the Year. The Banro Foundation won the Community Development and Local Content category.

It is the third year that mining pioneers and leading companies in the DRC are rewarded at the coveted DRC Mining Industry Awards that take place as part of the DRC Mining Week expo and conference in Lubumbashi, the hub of the country's mining sector, this week.

The full list of winners and finalists in the DRC Mining Industry Awards are:

Category: Mining Company of the Year

Winner: Tenke Fungurume Mining
The Tenke Fungurume Mine holds one of the world's largest known copper and cobalt resources. The deposits are located within two concessions totaling over 1,500 square kilometres. Tenke Fungurume Mining was once again commended for their good production with responsible environmental management.

Finalists:
•    Banro Corporation
•    Ivanhoe Mines
•    MMG Limited
•    Randgold Resources
•    Sicomines Sarl

Category: Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner: Louis Watum, Managing Director, Ivanhoe Mines
Louis Watum joined Ivanhoe Mines in December 2014 as Managing Director of the company's operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In March 2015, he was appointed to the additional role of General Manager, Kamoa Copper SA.

Prior to joining Ivanhoe Mines, Mr. Watum spent eight years assuming progressively senior responsibilities in the DRC's mining sector. Between 2010 and 2014, he successfully led the development and commissioning of Randgold's Kibali Project, which followed his work on the launch of Moto Gold Mines' Moto Project from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Watum previously was the Operations Manager at the Yatela Gold Mine in Mali from 2001 to 2005.

Finalists:
•    André Kapanga, General Manager, Tenke Fungurume Mining
•    Desire Sangara, Vice-President, Government Relations, Banro Corporation
•    Deven Shingala, CEO, Rutu Technologies
•    Gustave Nzeng, Chairman, Kamoto Copper Company
•    Simon Tuma-Waku, Vice President, Federation of Congolese Enterprises
•    Paul Yenga Mabolia, Coordinator, Promines

Category: Clean Energy Project of the Year

Winner: Ivanhoe Mines
In order to upgrade two power plants (Koni and Mwadingusha) and to provide their Kamoa site with access to clean energy during their operation, Ivanhoe is working in partnership with Stucky Ltd, Swiss company. This corporate strategy aims to secure infrastructure for its major mining projects in the DRC, and to invest in social development projects for the local communities of its area of operations, allowing Ivanhoe Mines to establish several initiatives to enhance energy, water and transport solutions.

Finalists:
•    Aggreko
•    Randgold Resources
•    Tiger Resources SEK

Category: Community Development & Local Content

Winner: Banro Foundation
Since its creation, the Banro Foundation had completed more than 70 projects and had invested more than 5.5 million USD. The Banro Foundation's approach to community development with a 'shared value' approach is unique in DRC. The Foundation understands that the competitiveness of Banro and the health of the communities around it are mutually dependent and thus invests accordingly.

Finalists:
•    Fleurette
•    Ivanhoe Mines
•    Kamoto Copper Company
•    MMG Limited
•    Randgold Resources
•    Tenke Fungurume Mining
•    Tiger Resources SEK

Category: HR/Outsourcing Leader of the Year

Winner: MD Services SARL
MD Services SARL was commended for providing a bridge for the business challenges encountered in the DRC and safely leads to a seamless integration of companies to operate in a difficult and regulatory environment. The company provides not only an opportunity for companies to operate in the country, but also provides a database of skilled and unskilled people.

Finalists:
•    Banro Corporation
•    Randgold Resources
•    Tenke Fungurume Mining

Category: Outstanding Woman of the Year

Winner: Chantal Bashizi, Administrative Director, Cadastre Minier, Cami

Finalists:
•    Dorine Akinyi, Director, Dorime Radiators SARL
•    Dorothée Masele, Senior social communications Specialist, Tenke Fungurume Mining
•    Marie Chantal Kaninda, Chef Advisor External Affairs Africa, Rio Tinto
•    Yvette Mwanza Mwamba, Executive Director, African Smelting Group

The following companies are sponsors of the DRC Mining Industry Awards:
- EY as verification partner
- ACF & Associates (Outstanding Woman of the Year)
- ERG (HR/Outsourcing Leader of the Year).

Impressive industry support
As with past iPAD events, the DRC Mining Week has secured the impressive support of the industry through the platinum sponsorships of Banro Corporation, Engen, Standard Bank and Tenke Fungurume Mining, while Aggreko, ERG, Ernst&Young, Tiger Resources Limited, Total, NEC and Vodacom are gold sponsors.

DRC Mining Week is organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.

Web: www.drcminingweek.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DRC-Mining-Week-156193451406496/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drcminingweek
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4922857

Contact:
Communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone :  +27 21 700 3558
Email: annemarie.roodbol@spintelligent.com