The Importance of Mining

Mining is first and foremost a source of mineral commodities that all humans find essential for maintaining and improving our standards of living. Mined materials are essential for the construction of roads and hospitals, to build automobiles, make computers and provide the many other goods and services that consumers enjoy.

In addition, mining is economically important to countries and their development. It provides employment, dividends, and taxes that pay for hospitals, schools, and public facilities. The mining industry creates a trained workforce and small businesses that can service communities and may initiate related businesses.

Mining also generates foreign exchange and accounts for a significant portion of gross domestic product. Mining promotes a number of associated activities, such as manufacturing of mining equipment, provision of engineering and environmental services, and the development of world-class universities in the fields of geology, mining engineering, and metallurgy.

The economic opportunities and wealth generated by mining for many producing countries are substantial. It is our duty to understand and support the mining industry and its development.

Benefits to local Communities from Petaquilla Gold

Petaquilla Gold recognizes the importance of extending benefits of its mining operations to local communities. According to President of the Company, Richard Fifer, “Petaquilla´s investments are selective with focus on the needs of the underprivileged”. Sustainability is the key word according to Mr. Fifer, and Petaquilla’s operations and its benefits go beyond the life of an extractive industry project, ensuring a bright future for generations to come.

To date, Petaquilla Gold has contributed thousands of dollars to community development projects. Such programs have included

- Establishing strong, competitive services where support for construction and maintenance of the operations.

- Education development programs where schools have been built and equipped to running costs.

- The creation of micro-enterprises, providing alternate and safety employment opportunities for those living around the mine.

- Community health programs which include the establishment of community clinics and the refurbishment of health centers in Cocle.

- Company funded public roads and bridges which have made communication and road travel easier, benefiting everyone but mostly children who are now able to travel to and from school.

Fundamental to our plans of corporate social responsibility is a commitment to ensuring that our host communities have the means to remain viable during our operations and long after the mine has closed and in generations to come. The first step towards reaching this goal is through the purchase of some of the operation’s requirements from local suppliers and to benefit locals in terms of employment opportunities and extensive training programs. We at Petaquilla are highly committed to continually improving the lives of communities hosting us or in nearby areas. Giving the essential tools for men and women to begin micro-businesses has recently turned from a dream into reality. The hard work on behalf of Petaquilla’s social responsibility workers proves how the company’s most significant stakeholders other than shareholders are the company’s employees and the communities in which it operates. It is rewarding to witness how Petaquilla has used its power to positively assist host communities and make a difference for future Panamanian generations.

Companies, especially in the mining sector, need help and the support of stakeholders to operate responsibly in problematic and poorly-governed countries. They need help preventing abuse and responding to them when they occur. Many companies such as Petaquilla Minerals agree and have signed on to voluntary measures that promote human rights. Corporate social responsibility is on top of the agenda and thanks to the guidance and support on behalf of the community and local church; it has been able to move forward and continues to show that consensus is possible on the first steps forward.

"Sustainable mining" is not an oxymoron. Mining companies like Petaquilla are acting in a more socially and environmentally responsible manner taking significant steps and carryout reforestation programs. Environmental mitigation and compensation activities are the main goals of the company’s aggressive reforestation project. 46 hectares have been worked on the site, 19 have been replanted and approximately 70 more are in plan to take place., according to Richard Fifer

La Entrevista del Día: Arsenio Vargas, Comité Mina y Comunidad

P. ¿Usted que ha trabajado comprometido con su comunidad, cómo definiría el desarrollo de sus comunidades?

R. Soy miembro de un comité que apoya a los proyectos mineros, porque queremos dejar en claro que nosotros si vivimos en Coclesito las 24 horas, estamos seguros que en todo este tiempo hemos avanzado como comunidad, cuando hablamos de desarrollo es porque hemos mejorado en los últimos 5 años, ahora que vemos que hay avance, nosotros cuestionamos a aquellos que quieren impedir el desarrollo.

Por ejemplo, entre grandes obras de infraestructura, calles, puentes y caminos, se han hecho centros de salud, se hacen evacuaciones, la compañía minera tiene helicópteros y tiene la capacidad para sacar a la gente de urgencia a causa de las mordeduras de serpiente.

Yo dirigí un proyecto de Molejones a Calle Largo y sé de lo que estoy hablando, antes eran 8 horas para llegar a nuestro destino. La empresa ha construido una carretera que comunica muchos pueblos que antes era de difícil acceso, un camino de Molejones a Nazareno, comunica a Calle Largo, Nazareno, San Juan de Turbe y otras comunidades. Gobierno, empresa minera y comunidad, trabajaron duro por ese camino y hoy día está cortado. Nosotros no queremos trancar carreteras, como hacen el pequeño grupo que se opone, nosotros construimos carreteras para que los pueblos se desarrollen.

P. ¿Hemos recibido información precisa que estos grupos minúsculos trancan los ríos, es eso cierto?

R. Es cierto. Ellos pretenden ponernos a pelear entre nosotros mismos compañeros, gente de nuestras comunidades cuando todos sufrimos las mismas carencias, pero no ofrecen nunca ninguna solución a nuestros problemas, antes bien los agravan. Mire hasta donde hemos llegado que esos grupos minúsculos trancan los ríos a aquellas personas que vienen bajando en canoas o fueras de borda por el rio que es como una carretera para el pobre. ¿A quién perjudican? A nuestra propia gente. Nadie tranca por 8 días la Transístmica, pero estos grupos minúsculos que se oponen al desarrollo y al progreso, han trancado el río por más de 12 días sin que autoridad alguna se haya apersonado a resolver este problema una vez por todas.

P. ¿En ese caso, cuál sería su petición a las autoridades?

R. Soy de la opinión que la aplicación de la ley debe ser firme y las autoridades deben actuar pronto, porque ese grupito está provocando una confrontación con nuestra gente. Hay que evitar eso, nosotros somos gente pacífica, pero no vamos a permitir que jueguen con nuestro desarrollo, con el futuro de nuestros hijos.