Ratifying its commitment to contribute to improving the quality of life of the communities in its area of influence, Drummond Ltd. successfully completed its High Impact project in the municipalities of La Jagua de Ibirico and Chiriguaná, Cesar, fulfilling the dream of 240 families in the territory of owning their own decent home.
“With the completion of this project we reaffirm our purpose of generating a positive and sustainable impact in our neighboring communities. Seeing families enjoying decent housing motivates us to continue developing initiatives that transform realities and contribute to collective well-being,” said Juan Pablo Arteaga, vice president of sustainability at Drummond Ltd.
The social investment project, which contemplated an investment of close to $40 billion, was agreed upon with the National Mining Agency (ANM) in Addendum No. 15 of the contract for exploration and mining exploitation of La Loma, and agreed with the municipal mayors of La Jagua de Ibirico and Chiriguaná.
To guarantee an objective and transparent selection of beneficiary households, award committees were formed with representatives of different interest groups, coordinated by the Universidad de Santander, Valledupar (UDES), as part of the project ́ s structuring, formulation and evaluation process. In addition, technical regulations and a methodological guide were applied to prioritize households with the highest level of vulnerability, especially mothers who are heads of households, households with people with disabilities and special protection population.
In addition, the Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina led the training and support process for community leaders who formed the respective citizen oversight committees, validating community alerts, ensuring compliance with the selection criteria and monitoring the implementation of the project in its various stages.
The design of the houses, consisting of three bedrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen and bathroom with top quality finishes, contemplated all seismic resistance norms and the highest safety standards, as well as the cultural and climatic conditions of the region, and were built in an area of 71.40 m2.
Vielca Barahona Maestre, inhabitant of the village of La Palmita, expressed her gratitude for the house she received: “when we were getting comfortable in the houses where we paid rent, they asked us to return them. Today I thank God because we now have our own house, and we will no longer have to pay rent. I thank God and Drummond for bringing this great benefit to the region”.
Expansion of the project to El Paso, Cesar
This social investment model will continue to expand its impact. In the municipality of El Paso, Cesar, the formulation of the High Impact project has already begun the feasibility phase, which will seek to benefit more than 100 families in the towns of Cuatro Vientos, El Carmen, El Vallito, La Loma and Potrerillo, who will also be able to fulfill their dream of owning their own home.
In this way, Drummond Ltd. ratifies its purpose of mining for the development of communities, providing solutions that dignify the lives of families and strengthen the social fabric.
