Libero Copper & Gold Corporation (TSXV:LBC) has entered into a “Cooperation Framework Agreement for Participation and Generation of Shared Benefits” for the exploration of the Mocoa copper-molybdenum deposit with the community of Montclar, Colombia.
The Montclar community is the only community near the Mocoa deposit. The objective of the agreement is “to provide a general framework of action between the parties of the agreement in order to join efforts to generate shared value, improve the quality of life of the community and contribute to the success of the exploration project by increased understanding and cooperation with the community of Montclar.”
“We are extremely proud of the collective vision of both our neighbours and our team to build together the first project specific participation agreement for an exploration project in Colombia,” President and CEO, Ian Harri, said.
“This is a major milestone for the project, and we believe it will represent a model moving forward for responsibly developing projects together while aligning with the government’s goals of community participation as both managers of building a joint vision of development, and guarantors of well-being.”
The agreement was executed by Libero and the community action board, which is the elected governing body of the municipal subdivision of Montclar, the community closest to the Mocoa project. The execution of the agreement was approved and signed unanimously by all members of the board and supported by the underlying signature of over 95% of the families of Montclar.
The agreement was the result of six “Good Neighbour” co-planning meetings with the community, which took place in 2022. The agreement focuses on co-success and encompasses efforts on open communication, co-planning, training, strengthening community governance, cultural preservation, traditional knowledge transfer, employment, capacity building for services, water protection, environmental participation, and planning of shared infrastructure.
Libero’s Commitment to Mocoa and Putumayo
Colombia is committed to being a leader in the movement towards energy transition and fighting climate change. The strategy of the government and that of President Gustavo Petro, is a just energy transition towards a productive economy. With renewable energies as its pillar, this strategy prioritizes social participation, with communities as partners.
Mocoa is the largest copper resource in Colombia, and currently the only strategic metals project in Putumayo. Since the restart of the project in early 2021, Libero has focused on participation and inclusion to maximize the benefits of the Mocoa project, and to ensure environment, social, and cultural excellence.
Some of the most recent highlights of Libero’s proactive and inclusive engagement efforts include:
- Employment: 85% of employees are from Putumayo and 99% are from Colombia. Of the professional staff, 60% are from Putumayo, and 62% are women.
- Hosting of “ECUSumit 2022” in Mocoa, Putumayo with over 120 local businesses with a combined vision of using the Mocoa project as a motor for development and a future hub for the energy transition.
- Training of local community members by SENA (Colombia’s National Learning Service) for water quality monitoring. Training is part of a program with the National University of Colombia, and Putumayo Technological Institute, for community members to participate with the universities in the water baseline study and oversite of the Mocoa project.
- Libero’s public commitment and presentation of corporate support for human rights. The event was attended by the Governor’s office, leaders on human rights from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the National Ombudsman, local national and departmental congressman, municipal counsellors, presidents of the community action boards, and other community leaders. It was the first time in Colombia that a mineral exploration company committed from its beginning to respect and promote human rights.
- Panelist and exhibitor at Putumayo Technology Institute’s (ITP) “Entrepreneurship Expo and Conversations for the Strengthening of the Entrepreneurial Culture”. ITP is the largest university in Putumayo with over 3,000 students.
- The only mining company invited to the World Indigenous Business Forum 2022, based on the company’s engagement with the local indigenous community. It was the first time the event was held in Colombia. Libero attended the forum with local indigenous leaders, to learn about shared experiences on business creation in indigenous communities.
- Workshop for the Empowerment of Women, launched by the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the UN Development Program. Libero Copper was one of six companies selected from the mining, oil, gas, and energy sector, for its leadership in gender equality.
- Presentation of the Mocoa project by invitation of the Municipal Council of Mocoa. Presentation delivered exclusively by local Libero professionals by their area of expertise.
- Invited by the Governor’s office to the first mining sector event in Putumayo, organized to add visibility of the sector to start the process of creating a Mining Table for Putumayo, that would require consultation for all policies that impact the sector.
For further information please visit: https://www.liberocopper.com/
