ERG’s Metalkol SA entity opens doors to education for 1,400 children
La Compagnie d’exploitation des Rejets de Kingamyambo SA (Metalkol SA), an entity of the Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), has inaugurated and officially handed over the École Primaire et Secondaire Israël (Israel Primary and Secondary School) in Kamimbi II village, Kolwezi. The new facility provides 1,400 children with direct and sustainable access to education within their own community – a milestone in ERG’s ongoing commitment to social development in Lualaba Province.
Delivered as part of Metalkol SA’s Cahier des Charges, the school represents one of several initiatives designed to support the sustainable development of the of Kamimbi II, Samukonga, Tshamundenda, Luilu, and Nowa communities.
The inauguration ceremony was held at the École Primaire et Secondaire Israël in the presence of Her Excellency Dr Kayinda Kasela Pitshou, Provincial Minister of Health, Education, Social and Humanitarian Affairs, Gender, Family and Children; the representative of the Provincial Minister of Mines; the Administrator of the Mutshatsha Territory; the Provincial Director of National Education and New Citizenship; the Chief of Kamimbi II; the school’s management and teaching staff; students; community members; and Metalkol SA employees.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Bassirou Mouhamadou, Chief Operating Officer of Metalkol SA, highlighted, “The inauguration of a school is about much more than just celebrating a new building. It’s laying the foundation for the transmission of knowledge that will influence future generations and shape the future. This school provides an environment in which knowledge, creativity and talent can flourish. It provides children with the foundation they need to tackle tomorrow’s challenges and contribute meaningfully to the development of their community. By doing so, the school strengthens the foundation of an inclusive and sustainable future for Lualaba Province.”
Before the construction of this new school, children from Kamimbi II had to walk between 3 and 4 kilometres each day to attend schools in neighbouring villages. The École Primaire et Secondaire Israël now brings education closer to home, providing a safer, more accessible, and high-quality learning environment. The school employs 12 teachers for the primary section and 19 for the secondary section, and features fully equipped classrooms, an administrative building, and sanitation facilities with running water, which are powered by a solar system. Metalkol SA also provided textbooks, computer equipment, and other teaching materials to support teaching and improve learning outcomes.
An official handover document was signed between Metalkol SA and the Provincial Ministry of Education, marking the formal transfer of the school to the State. The institution is now fully under the management and maintenance responsibility of the beneficiaries, operating under the educational and administrative supervision of the DRC and with the support of a parents’ committee tasked with ensuring the community’s continued engagement.
Her Excellency Dr Kayinda Kasela Pitshou highlighted the transformative impact of the project on the region, saying, “By providing our communities with such significant educational infrastructure, Metalkol is demonstrating its commitment to education, which is a cornerstone of human development and the foundation of every prosperous society. This initiative shows that, beyond its industrial operations, Metalkol prioritises people, particularly children.”
The construction of the school supports the Government’s vision of providing education for all, including free primary education. It also demonstrates ERG’s long-term commitment to sustainable and inclusive development that will endure beyond the life of its mining operations and benefit future generations.
