Sustainability

Social

Community Relations

Our commitment to being good corporate citizens and contributing to positive outcomes for the people and communities with whom we are neighbors is imbibed in the culture at Bear Creek Mining. To us, corporate social responsibility means supporting communities in making their own goals, aspirations and visions a reality.

Bear Creek Mining’s community relationships are guided by the following principles:

• Adopting a collaborative partnership approach to community programs by encouraging communities to determine their own priorities, to share the responsibility for enacting them, and to take pride in the outcomes.
• Being open, honest, and transparent in our communications and interactions
• Focusing on realistically sustainable and scientifically grounded health, education, and economic opportunities
• Operating with a high ethical standard, in, or exceeding, compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and internationally accepted norms

Learn more here about how the Corani area communities are developing unique, practical, synergistic and science-based opportunities for long-term success

Community Connections and Agreements

Mercedes Mine

The Mercedes mine has been awarded distinction as a Socially Responsible Company (“ESR”) annually for over a decade. The ESR award is promoted by the Philanthropy Mexican Center, which promotes socially responsible practices among communities and companies.

Bear Creek is party to an economic support agreement with the village of Cucurpe via its communal assets board of trustees. Financial resources for student scholarships and for the operation of the community’s school bus form part of this agreement.

Mercedes has initiated numerous community programs focused on education, health and community involvement, and Mercedes’ staff are encouraged, with support from the Company, to provide volunteer services in the local communities.

Effective channels for community dialogue have been established at Mercedes and the Company encourages ranchers and other stakeholders to bring any concerns or requests to the attention of the Company. Community and school groups are invited to visit the mine and learn about how Mercedes produces gold and silver.

Corani Project

Bear Creek has a Life of Mine (“LOM”) agreement in place with the District of Corani, five surrounding communities, and relevant, ancillary organizations. Pursuant to this agreement the Company makes an annual investment of 4 M Soles (~ USD $1.2 M) per year into an arms-length, community directed trust fund. A committee comprised of community leaders, with Bear Creek participating in a non-voting oversight role, considers and approves investment projects paid for out of the LOM agreement trust that holistically benefit their communities, such as schools, medical facilities, roads, or other infrastructure.

The Corani project was the first proposed industrial project in Peru to complete the state-run Consulta Previa process. Under this process, the Government of Peru, without the involvement of the Company, engaged conducted extensive interviews with local individuals and community groups to establish whether they were knowledgeable about the Corani project activities and the potential impacts of the operation, and whether they were in favor of it proceeding. Fully 100% of those interviewed indicated they were supportive of the Corani project proceeding to construction and operation.

Employees

We strive to ensure our workplaces are healthy environments and that our employees are motivated and empowered to perform their roles with safety top of mind. We implement stringent safety protocols at our operations and provide extensive training to employees to ensure they have the knowledge, skills and tools to prioritize their health and safety and that of their co-workers.

We also strive to create a supportive corporate culture that prioritizes equal opportunity and a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. Learn more here about our commitment to Diversity.

People are our greatest resource, and we want everyone who contributes to Bear Creek’s success to be safe, productive and engaged.