Catalyst for Sustainable Development
Our goal is to be a catalyst for sustainable development. Given that we operate in diverse socioeconomic landscapes, our local teams are skilled at identifying the priority areas of focus for investments that are most impactful for our host communities. The most meaningful investment outcomes are achieved when our teams engage with stakeholders to identify impacts, risks and needs that are specific to these communities and align partnership opportunities with our funding priorities. Candelaria is working with local stakeholders to improve dialogue and build meaningful partnerships.
Fast Facts
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COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
Over $5.8M invested in 2020 community initiatives in the Atacama Region
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SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION PROGRAM
Received 50 social innovation ideas and help finance five pilot ideas
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INTERNET ACCESS & CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM
Connected over 5,000 users, improved the literacy of 130 people and brought 50 businesses online
Incubating Innovation
Every successful organization starts with an idea. As part of our commitment to social performance, we look for opportunities to nurture those ideas and the people who dream them. At Candelaria we established Inventa Comunidad, a community-based innovation program to develop solutions to pressing environment and social issues, particularly in the communities of Tierra Amarilla, Copiapó and Caldera. Entrepreneurs with strong potential receive preliminary financing, training and technical assistance to develop their business idea. The program is financed by Lundin Foundation and implemented by Chrysalis, business Incubator of the Pontificia Universidad de Valparaiso of Chile.
To date, Inventa has trained more than 1,100 people and incubated 23 environmental and social innovations. Acelera provides later-stage business support to existing entrepreneurs, focusing on innovations related to specific environmental and social issues. Acelera currently provides specialized support to 7 entrepreneurs. Virtual training was provided in 2020 for marketing, sales, business coaching and website development. The program supported 14 start-ups, 50% of which were led by women.
Strategic Initiatives
Mobile Health Support
Candelaria provided three mobile health units to health centres in Tierra Amarilla, Caldera and Copiapó in 2020. The units are electric-powered and equipped with a refrigerator. They especially benefit those in high-risk groups such as the elderly and people with chronic diseases by facilitating home visits and transporting medical supplies.
New Dialysis Medical Centre in Caldera
The new Caldera Dialysis Center, a joint project between Minera Candelaria and the Municipality of Caldera, is nearly at completion. The modern building of approximately 850 square meters is funded by Candelaria and will be equipped with state-of-the-art hemodialysis equipment, medical supplies and trained personnel to provide care for chronic kidney failure to patients from Caldera and other surrounding communities.
Sustainable Fishing in Caldera
Candelaria celebrated the inauguration of the Punta Frodden Seafood Processing Plant in Caldera in 2019. The upgraded facility is part of a three-year commitment by Candelaria and the Lundin Foundation to promote local economic growth and the development of sustainable fishing practices. In 2020, Candelaria partnered with Compañía Minera del Pacífico (CMP) to provide commercial and logistical support to the Caldera Artisanal Fishermen and Divers Association. Various initiatives helped generate income for over 800 association members during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the construction of a disinfection barrier and tunnel, and the creation of a website to sell frozen products and fresh fish. An electric delivery vehicle was also provided so fishermen and divers could deliver products to customers. The plant received its required certification and initiated registration to the European Union during 2020. Candelaria partnered with Atacama University in launching a study to identify possible long-term investments and define potential suppliers for the plant.
The plant supported 69 jobs and secured 45 wholesale customers in 2020, creating positive local economic impact through wages paid and seafood purchased from local fishermen.
Committed to Health and Well-being
Thanks to a collaboration between Atacama Health Service and Candelaria mine, Jerónimo Méndez de Chañaral Hospital received modern osteopulmonary X-ray equipment in June 2021. The investment of approximately $200 million pesos will have significant benefit to adult, pediatric, neonatology and geriatric patients, or to those who are polytraumatized, have reduced mobility or require emergency and other orthopedic procedures.
Candelaria also provided four mechanical ventilators to the Atacama Health Service (SSA) which were implemented at Copiapó Regional Hospital. The devices were given as part of Candelaria’s commitment to contain the coronavirus under an agreement with with SSA.
Beca Minera Candelaria
Beca Minera Candelaria is a scholarship program focused on breaking down barriers to higher education, particularly from the communities that surround our mine. A total of 112 students (68% female) benefit from the program, with 94 studying at the University of Atacama and the rest at other higher education institutions in the region; 35 students are part of indigenous groups. This is the first time that the Program of Accompaniment and Effective Access to Higher Education (PACE) has partnered with a private company, making this historic for both Candelaria, Chile and the progress for pursuit of higher education.
Supporting Women at Work
Candelaria launched the “Mujeres Aprendices” program in Copiapó region to empower women by providing training in theoretical and practical competencies for operating mining equipment. Upon completion, participants will have the necessary skills to enter the labour market. The program supports 40 women in the Tierra Amarilla, Caldera and Copiapó regions.
Free Wi-Fi Zone
Over the past ten years, hundreds of residents in Tierra Amarilla have been connected to the free Wi-Fi network provided by Candelaria. Residents connect with family, friends, job opportunities, online courses and content to help enhance their way of life.
In the span of the past ten years, the Wi-Fi network covers close to 80% of the urban area of Tierra Amarilla with 25 antennas, tracking more than 600 connections per day.
