KOLWEZI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – August 2026 – Chemaf is delivering five new community water stations around its Mutoshi operations, expanding access to safe, reliable drinking water for communities in Lualaba Province.
The program covers the villages of Mutakamari, Kabamba, Kazembe Lukwesa, Tshipuki and Tshinjamba, with four stations now completed and work on the fifth progressing. Together, 800 households will benefit, marking the program as a flagship part of Chemaf’s commitment to delivering practical infrastructure alongside the continued development of Mutoshi.
At Mutakamari, the first station delivered under Chemaf’s new ownership is already demonstrating the difference reliable local water access can make. The community, located approximately 15 minutes from the Mutoshi mine gate, previously faced long journeys to collect water, including river crossings. Women and children could spend three to four hours each day collecting water for their households.
The new water station provides safe, reliable drinking water closer to home, serving approximately 100 households and giving families back time previously spent traveling to collect water.
The project was originally committed to in 2024 and was accelerated following Chemaf’s ownership transition. Community leaders have been involved in the planning and future management of the infrastructure, helping to ensure that the benefits of the project are sustained over the long term.
Building Trust Through Delivery
The five-community program reflects Chemaf’s approach to community engagement: identifying practical local priorities, working with community representatives and translating commitments into measurable improvements to daily life. Bringing a reliable source of water closer to communities reduces the time required for daily water collection and provides women and children with more time for family life, education and other activities.
At the inauguration of the Mutakamari station, between 200 and 250 community members attended, alongside local leaders involved in the project. In subsequent feedback, all surveyed respondents reported being extremely satisfied with the project.
Chemaf is also planning similar water-access initiatives around its Etoile operations in Lubumbashi.