KEMET leads humanitarian program in Conflict-Free DRC mining community
August 26, 2015
Supply Deliveries and Ongoing Infrastructure Development Enhance Quality of Life for the People of Kisengo
GREENVILLE, SC – KEMET Corporation, a leading global supplier of electronic components, announced that its Partnership for Social and Economic Sustainability (the “KEMET Partnership”) is making a substantial humanitarian impact in Kisengo, a conflict-free tantalum mining region in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). KEMET has made contributions to the KEMET Partnership for projects such as a school, medical clinic, fresh water wells, solar street lighting, as well as road and bridge repairs.
Supplies delivered to Kisengo consisted of a variety of medical and school equipment, including 2,000 Duracell®LED flashlights intended to enhance reading, safety and mobility for the school children. Flashlight acquisition and delivery was facilitated by Tansoo, Inc. of Boca Raton, Florida. “Seeing the children in Kisengo hold flashlights for the first time and their reaction of pure joy is impactful,” said Per Loof, KEMET Chief Executive. “For many of us, we take light for granted. But for the community in Kisengo, a flashlight can profoundly change a child’s life.”
Delivering supplies to the DRC is challenging due to geography, lack of infrastructure, civil unrest and other factors. “These supplies help the people of Kisengo enhance their standards of living and build a sustainable foundation of lasting prosperity and security,” said Loof. “KEMET is proud of the positive, lasting contributions we are making as we work to overcome the issues that perpetuate conflict and empower the DRC’s mineworkers, their families and communities. We believe the KEMET Partnership can serve as a blueprint for responsible companies worldwide and demonstrate that solutions combining social sustainability and economic interests are not mutually exclusive.”
Since 2010, KEMET has taken a leading role in a project that focused on the sourcing of conflict-free tantalum ores from the DRC. This resulted in one of the electronics industry’s first comprehensive, socially and economically sustainable sourcing models based on tantalum ore from the DRC and culminated in the only closed pipe, vertically integrated conflict-free supply chain.
For more information, please visit www.kemet.com/conflictfree.
About KEMET
KEMET Corporation is a leading global supplier of electronic components. We offer our customers the broadest selection of capacitor technologies in the industry, along with an expanding range of electromechanical devices, electromagnetic compatibility solutions and supercapacitors. Our vision is to be the preferred supplier of electronic component solutions demanding the highest standards of quality, delivery and service. KEMET’s common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “KEM.” Additional information about KEMET can be found at http://www.kemet.com.
About Kisengo Foundation
Kisengo Foundation is a non-governmental organization working to improve lives in rural Kantanga in theDemocratic Republic of Congo. Its mission is to facilitate investment for the residents of the villages of Kisengo in a collaborative approach to improve the quality of life of the Kisengo community. Partners include Mining Mineral Resources, Minerals Resources International and KEMET.
About Tansoo
Tansoo is dedicated to helping partners purchased high quality products from manufacturers worldwide. The combination of extensive international marketing and business expertise coupled with an unwavering commitment to customer service excellence has earned Tansoo the reputation as a progressive, dynamic and reliable firm.
Duracell® is a registered trademark of Proctor & Gamble.
