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INGENIEROS MINING E INFRAESTRUCTURA
Gold standards for mining in Nicaragua
Assertive efforts able to increase value in production and within surrounding communities take Calibre Mining into a leading gold producer in Nicaragua
Produced by Jassen Pintado Interviewee Petri Salopera, Vice-President of Sustainability at Calibre Mining
Mining
Calibre Mining Corp.
C
alibre Mining is a Canadian company with corporate headquarters in Vancouver, British Columbia, operating in Nicaragua. The
company trades in the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CXB). The company’s executive leadership
Salopera earned a Master’s Degree in Development Studies, Latin American Studies and Social Studies from the University of Helsinki (Finland), besides taking part in postgraduate studies in Community Relations at the University of Queensland (Australia). Salopera’s experience has taken
is formed by an outstanding group
him to executive positions in mining
of individuals with decades worth
companies such as BHP and Newmont-
of experience not only in mining but
Goldcorp (both in Chile), Rio Tinto
also in public companies. The group’s
(Peru) and Newcrest (Ecuador).
successful precedents include the
Besides mining, Salopera has also
sale of seven mining companies in
been involved in academics and
transactions amounting to more than
NGOs in Europe and Latin America,
$5 billion.
focusing on environmental, community,
“We are focused on generating sustainable value for the long term
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THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP MINING NEEDS TODAY
sustainability and media matters, besides government relations.
for shareholders, the communities we
“Mining and its potential for positive,
operate in and every party of interest,”
sustainable change generation is one of
said Petri Salopera, Vice-President of
the subjects that I’m most passionate
Sustainability at Calibre Mining.
about,” commented the executive.
Calibre Mining Corp.
Mining
- Petri Salopera, Vice-President of Sustainability at Calibre Mining
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Calibre Mining Corp.
Mining
“Estamos enfocados en generar valor sostenible a largo plazo para todas las partes interesadas” - Petri Salopera, Vice-President of Sustainability at Calibre Mining
MUTUAL BENEFITS FROM PRESENCE IN NICARAGUA
Calibre’s production in Nicaragua currently generates 36% of the country’s exports in gold. And in 2020 only, Calibre’s expenditures paid nearly $200 million in the country among operational expenses, employee salaries and benefits, capital expenses as well as in direct investments contributing to wellbeing and education in communities where the company operates in, while creating more than 3,000 positions for direct and indirect
labor, and counting with 98% of Nicaraguan nationals on its staff. Not bad for a company that arrived in the country in 2009 whose main operations were mining exploration, near the country’s Caribbean coast, mainly. “Nicaragua has a mining tradition; we’ve always stated that the country has well established, clear laws regulating the mining industry,” Salopera declared. KEY ACQUISITIONS
In 2019, Calibre acquired assets
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Mining
Calibre Mining Corp.
in Nicaragua from B2Gold. This
Exploration with the purpose of
transaction included La Libertad
increasing investments in different
(in Chontales) and El Limón mines;
mining projects within Nicaragua.
currently, both locations are goldproducing sites. Also, the company owns the Pavón and Eastern Borosi
OPERATIONS AND ABILITIES
Calibre Mining’s operational model is run under the “Hub and Spoke” scheme:
(EBP) projects, which imply a significant extracting minerals from different sites to contribution to the companies’ be carried into processing plants which operations in Nicaragua. Calibre also acquired several
sum a processing capacity of 2.7 million tons per year, which allows to ramp up
exploration concessions, and in
production rapidly and with low costs,
March 2020 the company signed
delivering long-term value
an agreement along with Rio Tinto
for shareholders.
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Calibre Mining Corp.
This combination allows reinvestment for exploration in emerging areas. OPTIMIZED PROCESSES
Calibre Mining uses up to 97% of recycled water in production processes through tailings dams, which are built with waterproof materials to avoid residuals being in contact with the ground or groundwaters.
Mining
“Mining and its potential for positive, sustainable change generation is one of the subjects that I’m most passionate about”
Tailings storage facilities include piezometers to measure residuals in tailings and embankments. “As a company, we are focused
- Petri Salopera, Vicepresidente de
on a sustainable performance with
Sostenibilidad en
disciplined growth,” the executive
Calibre Mining
pointed out. LOCAL AND GLOBAL SUPPLIERS
In 2020, Calibre mining invested $58.6 million in purchases. The company is conveniently supported by Bertling Logistics, Canchanya Ingenieros, Casa Pellas, Empremar,
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Calibre Mining Corp.
Mining
Calibre Mining directs ef fo r ts towa rd sustainable operations and contr ibutes towa rd operating in sustainable communities
Explotec, Grupo Santa Fe, Kal Tire, NIMAC and Puma Energy, among other companies. Every Calibre Mining supplier,
Purchases Task Force. The Directive Committee for Local Content was established in 2020 and is in charge of supervision, revision,
either big or small, is aligned with the
approval and support of strategies
company’s standards about ethics and
based in each site.
care for the environment. Calibre also has supplier development programs
SAFE AND SKILLED WORKFORCE
During 2020, the entire staff at
either for key suppliers countrywide
Calibre Mining was subject to safety
or local suppliers in each site, with the
training sessions focused in each
latter group being managed by the Local different area, pointing out possible
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September 2021
Calibre Mining Corp.
Mining
The staf f at Cal ib re Mining is subject to r igo rous training sessions fo r safet y and r isk exposure
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Mining
Calibre Mining Corp.
dangers and risk exposure, besides
“This brought a positive impact in
spreading safety regulations for
our staff and we have been allowed
each aspect.
to operate without having to halt
Nine other specialized technical safety trainings were added,
our operations again since,” Salopera added.
accomplishing goals beyond the basic requirements. ADAPTING TO CONDITIONS DURING THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY
Consequences deriving from de COVID-19 pandemic also affected the mining industry, and Calibre Mining
EFFORTS AIMED TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY IN EVERY FRONT
Caring for the environment and company efforts in surrounding communities are an important part of Calibre Mining’s success. Since 2020, the company has
adapted to the new conditions after
held multiple meetings with different
a temporary halt to activity during
groups such as native communities,
April 2020.
among others, which are aware of the
Top priority for operations under
company’s responsible operations
these new conditions has been the
firsthand. All of these interactions take
safety and wellbeing of company
place under the best global practices
employees; for this purpose, Calibre
carried out by Calibre and under
Mining developed and implemented 17
the company’s Native Communities
new biosecurity protocols.
Standards, besides being in contact
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE OPERATOR
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Calibre Mining Corp.
Mining
“The country has well established, clear laws regulating the mining industry” - Petri Salopera, Vice-President of Sustainability at Calibre Mining
with the Regional Governments of the
sustainable gold mining industry based
North and South Caribbean Coast.
on a deep understanding of gold’s role
The company operates under
in society, today and in coming years.
Nicaraguan regulations, besides
“The goal is delivering value for
carrying out practices aligned with the
our groups of interest in a responsible
UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
way through innovative management
(SDG), publishing its first Sustainable
focused on participation,” declared
Development Report. It’s also worth
the executive.
mentioning that in August 2020, the company joined the World Gold Council (WGC). As members of this
EFFORTS IN SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
• In the Pavón Mine (located in
organization, we share a unified vision
Rancho Grande, Matagalpa), Calibre
of our responsibility in securing a
Mining partnered with the CEN
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Calibre Mining Corp.
Mining
Ca l i b re M i n i n g’s p ro d u ct i o n co nt r i b u te s to m o re t h a n 3 0 % of N i ca ra g u a’s g o l d ex p o r t s
environmental organization (Center for Understanding with Nature) to join
hurricanes Eta and Iota in 2020, Calibre
environmental, social and economic
Mining created a humanitarian aid fund
goals within this site.
along with local authorities and NGOs,
• In the El Limón Mine, the
helping vulnerable communities in
company co-financed a campaign
the Rosita, Siuna, Bonanza, Rancho
from the Ministry of Health, benefitting
Grande, El Tuma-La Dalia, El Cua and
5,055 residents from El Limón and
San José de Bocay communities.
surroundings, reducing risk of infections
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• After damages caused by
• In Rancho Grande, the company
from diseases such as dengue fever
built a new educational center for
and Zika virus.
the Yahosca Arriba community,
Mining
Calibre Mining Corp.
The company i s a l so i nvo lved i n othe r ex p l o ration projects, some of them along strategic par tners
with improved infrastructure -including
WGC, with the duty of complying
solar panels-, benefitting more
with the Responsible Gold Mining
than 40 students.
Principles (RGMP) from this entity. The
A BRIGHT FUTURE SHINING AHEAD
Toward the end of 2021, gold
company is already directing efforts to align with these regulations, as well
production from Calibre Mining is
as with the International Council on
projected to reach between 170,000
Mining and Metals Principles, besides
and 180,000 oz.
its commitment to comply with efforts
Previously, with the purpose of creating a mid-level gold mining company, in 2020 Calibre joined the
aligned to the UN’s SDGs. It’s projected that the company will be taking three years to totally comply
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Calibre Mining Corp.
Mining www.cis.com.pe
contactos@cis.com.pe
INGENIEROS MINERÍA E INFRAESTRUCTURA
The Mining specialists with safety, care for the environment and quality. Canchanya Ingenieros S.R.L. Peruvian company, established in 1993, specializing in the execution of works and comprehensive managementof underground and open-pit mining operations. Telephone Nicaragua: +505 7516 1796 Telephone Peru: +511 995723074
with RGMP, current efforts to fulfill this goal include identifying areas of
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improvement as well as those that are already aligned with such standards. Other purposes for Calibre Mining include reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the mid-term. “We keep our goal of interacting in an open, respectful way to continue contributing in a positive, constructive manner to improve people’s living conditions,” finalized Petri Salopera, Vice-President of Sustainability at Calibre Mining.
Calibre Mining Corp.
Mining
FOUNDED:
2009
im Nicaragua
INDUSTRY: Mining
www.calibremining.com
EMPLOYEES: 3,614 employees (as of August, 20211)
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www.calibremining.com
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