November 1 La Loma, 2016
“I have visited Drummond before, but had a different perspective at the time. I really feel it is fabulous today. It has helped to grow my knowledge, by realizing the programs that Drummond is developing in order to prevent and to minimize the social and environmental impacts that mining creates. I am aware that they are concerned about the environment by the amount of measure they take to protect the fauna and flora, how they are integrated with the community, and their level of responsibility in all they do”, said Ms. Gloria Esther De la Hoz, Community Action Worker of Asoprocogchi.
During the tour of Drummond Ltd.’s premises, the members of the Association of Community Action Workers on Risk Management of Chiriguaná (Asoprocogchi) had the opportunity to visit the El Paujil reservoir at the Pribbenow Mine; an important resource that enables water to be supplied to the region during the drought season and protects the existing fauna and flora in the intervention areas.
Furthermore, the visitors were able to see the different safety measures which are implemented daily in the mining operations. The group also toured the company’s forest nursery, where different native species of the region are grown in order to continue the re-vegetation and reforestation processes that are being conducted in different zones in the area of influence, as part of the environmental policy that the company handles.
Mr. Freiny Fragozo, supervisor of the Environmental Department, explained the handling of the environmental licenses and the techniques used to protect fauna and flora during this guided visit. Similarly, the members of this association were informed about the company’s equipment, their operation, projects and studies carried out to date.
In regards to the handling of the vegetation restoration and the recovery of the intervened soil, Ms. Alceni Isabel Vides Martinez, an active member of Asoprocogchi, expressed: “All of the process is being properly handled. I see that they are doing everything perfectly. We are here because we had a complete different image, but now I see that you doing the work correctly”.
The Association of Community Action Workers on Risk Management of Chiriguaná is an entity that focuses programs and actions towards the care of the environment and the mitigation of risks in the area. Their purpose is to boost a new environmental culture where the risks are mitigated in accordance with the sustainable development of the planet.
It is important to highlight that for the company, these visits are a way to favorably communicate of the responsible procedures that are carried out by Drummond Ltd. The company can respond to any concerns and renew their commitment with the communities that make part of our mining corridor and the surroundings of our operation areas. In this manner the actions which we constantly carry out with high standard quality, guide us towards the execution of a responsible mining and an integrated environmentally sustainable operation for the progress of Colombia and its communities.
