La Loma, January 17, 2023
Through its enterprise incubator project that implements a business incubation and development model, Drummond Ltd. and Universidad del Area Andina promote entrepreneurship in the mining company’s areas of influence. ChocoMine, “A mine of flavor,” located in La Jagua de Ibirico, Cesar, is one of them.
Veronica Zuleta, leader of the enterprise, and Dania Barreto, legal representative of the Asociación de Mujeres Chocolateras de La Jagua de Ibirico (Asomujai), together with another eight women, transform locally-grown cacao into chocolate and other cacao derivatives to sell in a variety of presentations.
“My greatest motivation for creating a company was to be an independent woman, and, especially, to make a contribution to the town’s economy. Women heads of households can say they keep their families going thanks to their entrepreneurialism, because ChocoMine is a company made up of women,” explained Veronica Zuleta.
Through the technical accompaniment this partnership has provided, Drummond has trained these women in business and administration. It also donated a 10-kilo roaster and a vibrating table for eliminating bubbles, which has facilitated the process previously done manually. Two stainless steel tables were also included in the donation.
This all works to strengthen entrepreneurship in the micro-enterprise sector in the mining and railway corridors.
“In terms of our plans for the future, we want to stabilize production, completely update the plant, and be suppliers for the companies Compass Group and Cosecharte. My greatest desire is to position the brand nationally and internationally, and for the company to provide sustainable jobs for many homes,” expressed Zuleta.
Transformation of the business
ChocoMine began with very few resources. Everything was done manually: the cacao was roasted in a pan and grounded and shelled by hand.
They began by selling the chocolate door to door, to friends and family members. When they saw people liked the product, they began to adapt the formula so they could lower costs while still satisfying their customers.
They currently have a production facility. From there they sell through cafés in Valledupar, Becerril, Agustin Codazzi, Curumani and Aguachica in Cesar, and through stores and supermarkets in La Jagua de Ibirico.
Drummond contributes to productive development in its area of influence, collaborating simultaneously to municipal development plans, economic reactivation, job creation, and the region’s productive diversification.