Seeing is Believing - El Salvador
There is a famous phrase - ‘Seeing is believing’.
This has been the mainstay of the community relations and communications strategy for OceanaGold’s subsidiary, Minerales Torogoz, in El Salvador.
The local team’s aim for the last few years is to build a foundation of trust with local communities as well as increase awareness of responsible, modern mining practices and the potential social and economic benefits that it could bring to the country.
The challenge is tackling the misinformed perception of mining that is prolific in the region, sparked by anti-mining propaganda campaigns led by influential environmentalist groups. This is despite neighboring Central American countries, such as Nicaragua, enjoying a successful mining sector.
In November 2016, Ericka Colindres arranged for a group of our local stakeholders from El Salvador to travel to experience what a modern mining operation looks like first-hand. They visited ‘La Libertad’ mine in Nicaragua, operated by Canadian miner, B2Gold Corporation.
This has been the mainstay of the community relations and communications strategy for OceanaGold’s subsidiary, Minerales Torogoz, in El Salvador.
The local team’s aim for the last few years is to build a foundation of trust with local communities as well as increase awareness of responsible, modern mining practices and the potential social and economic benefits that it could bring to the country.
The challenge is tackling the misinformed perception of mining that is prolific in the region, sparked by anti-mining propaganda campaigns led by influential environmentalist groups. This is despite neighboring Central American countries, such as Nicaragua, enjoying a successful mining sector.
In November 2016, Ericka Colindres arranged for a group of our local stakeholders from El Salvador to travel to experience what a modern mining operation looks like first-hand. They visited ‘La Libertad’ mine in Nicaragua, operated by Canadian miner, B2Gold Corporation.
Following this initiative, the inhabitants of the San Isidro communities (where our proposed El Dorado Project is located), now believe it is possible to implement a modern, safe and ecologically-responsible mining project that offers opportunities for sustainable development in the area.
Mr. Lorenzo Leiva, a representative of Las Minas Community Association based in San Isidro verified this in a statement.
"What I can communicate to my community is that it is positive and we support the Minerales Torogoz Project, because we have been able to verify the good work of this mining company. And we ask the government [of El Salvador] to give the permits," said Mr. Leiva.
Mr. Lorenzo Leiva, a representative of Las Minas Community Association based in San Isidro verified this in a statement.
"What I can communicate to my community is that it is positive and we support the Minerales Torogoz Project, because we have been able to verify the good work of this mining company. And we ask the government [of El Salvador] to give the permits," said Mr. Leiva.
In 2016:
If the Company was to be successful in undertaking a mining project there, it would bring the potential to create an additional 400 new direct jobs and up to 2,000 indirect jobs in the region.
- 550 families participated in the Mineralez Torogoz-sponsored social programs such as English language classes, Microsoft Office certification courses and Soccer training camps;
- 600 women from the area have been provided with women’s health education;
- 7,000 people visited the educational classroom at the El Dorado site to learn about responsible and modern mining techniques; and
- OceanaGold has already created 80 direct jobs and approximately 400 indirect jobs through our activities in El Salvador.
If the Company was to be successful in undertaking a mining project there, it would bring the potential to create an additional 400 new direct jobs and up to 2,000 indirect jobs in the region.