On 29 December, Lane Xang Minerals Limited received a ‘Top Business Leader’ award for its COVID-19 Response. The event was organized by the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane.

LXML was acknowledged for its contribution to the prevention of COVID-19 in Lao PDR.

The Lao Prime Minister, His Excellency Phankham Viphavanh, presided over the event, and the award was conferred by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Mr Khampheng Saysompheng.

“I am very proud to receive on behalf of LXML” said Mr Saman Aneka, LXML Managing Director. “We have worked well as a team for many months to eliminate COVID-19 from our site. In cooperation with the Ministry of Health, Lao National COVID-19 Committee, Savannakhet Provincial COVID-19 Committee, and the Vilabouly District COVID-19 Committee, we have strictly followed testing, tracing, quarantine, and isolation procedures for the protection of employees, contractors, and the local community.”

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, LXML has provided approximately US$500,000 to the Lao Government to support emergency response efforts. LXML supported testing in Vilabouly District and provided hygiene facilities to Savannakhet Provincial Health Department.

Thanks to the support of the Savannakhet Health Department, 99% of LXML’s 5000 employees and contractors have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and most have now received a third booster dose of the vaccine. LXML is continuing to maintain strict COVID-19 prevention measures.

Since operations commenced in 2002, LXML has contributed over US$1.6 billion dollars in direct revenue to the Lao Government through taxes, royalties and dividends, US$50 million in infrastructure development and cultural heritage preservation, US$52 million in UXO clearance, and hundreds of millions of dollars of indirect benefits through employment, training, community development, and other support programs.

More than 40,000 community members in Vilabouly District, where Sepon mine is located, have benefitted from approximately US$20 million in community development programs. Community income through local business groups has accumulated to US$46 million.