The mining site is located in a particularly remote area. Our closest neighbors are puesteros, semi-nomadic people dedicated to livestock farming. They have several dwellings, known as puestos, and move between them throughout the year in search of the best pastures. They live within an 11-kilometer radius of the plant. The nearest village, Santa Rosa de los Pastos Grandes, with a population of 260 inhabitants, is located 74 kilometers away, while the closest town, San Antonio de los Cobres, is approximately 100 kilometers from the site, along the road to Salta.

In 2010, before the beginning of the exploration phase, our teams started a process to study and establish dialogue with the local communities, particularly with the Kolla community of Santa Rosa de los Pastos Grandes, recognized as an indigenous population by the Province of Salta and the Nation of Argentina.

  • We conducted the Free, Prior and Informed Consult (FPIC), following the provisions of the ILO Convention 169, in which the community expressed its support to the project.
  • We also held the Public Hearing for the Biannual Renewal of the Environmental and Social Impact Study (ESIS), thus complying with the provisions of article 49 of 7070/00.

Now that industrial operations have started on-site, the regular information of local communities remains a priority through different channels and mechanisms. Since the construction started, we have issued more than 200 communications to the puesteros and nearby communities. Likewise, we receive queries and concerns from the different stakeholders, which are answered in due time and manner, in accordance with our Human Rights policies and internal procedures.

Community dialogue

Responsible Mining in Action

Eramet Eramine has begun the process of being audited against IRMA (Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance), recognized as the most comprehensive and rigorous standard for industrial-scale mining practices.

IRMA’s governance brings together multiple stakeholders with equal rights including NGOs, the mining industry, international trade unions, intermediate buyers, investors, and financial institutions. Its framework addresses a wide range of critical topics, such as:

  • Human rights and ethics
  • Community dialogue and grievance mechanisms
  • Environmental and biodiversity management
  • Financial transparency

Eramet’s ambition is clear: by 2027, all of its mining sites will be engaged in this independent verification process, reinforcing its commitment to responsible and sustainable mining.