CHAPARRA, PERU
After 1 year of pausing operation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and several efforts to meet the requirements of the Fairmined standard Minera Aurifera Cuatro de Enero S.A. (MACDESA) obtained the Fairmined REcertification. With this achievement, they comply 4 years with the highest international label of responsibility and traceability in small-scale gold production.
Macdesa, a mining organization located in the district of Chaparra, Peru has an amazing story. They went from working long hours without protection elements, equipped only with flashlights, sleeping on mats in the open air, to becoming an organization of 744 workers, which invests in improving its extraction process: mechanized ore transportation through locomotives, ramps, drag winches, and the construction of a comfortable and safe camp. MACDESA is a benchmark for fair responsible mining, certified with the Fairmined label that provides benefits to its employees.
A DYNAMIC ORGANIZATION
After obtaining the Fairmined certification for the first time in 2017, and receiving the Fairmined premium, Macdesa began developing projects to improve health and safety conditions for its employees, camps were built, and recreational areas were integrated. and recreation for miners. They carefully applied occupational health requirements and work safety plans and purchased an ambulance for emergencies.
They have generated projects that benefit nearby communities: they offered medical appointments to the community, dietitian appointments, dentistry, and blood tests.
In 2019, they carried out a training campaign aimed at the “pallaqueras” women (the collectors of rocks with traces of gold on the outskirts of the mines) Macdesa provided them with dressmaking and clothing classes to carry out ventures such as making uniforms to sell to Macdesa and other organizations in the area, a business that currently works and provides employment to women in the region.
PAUSE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The organization paused its operations in 2020 due to the low demand for gold during the pandemic. Despite the difficulties, the Macdesa team set the goal of compliance with the requirements of the Fairmined standard, and after a year of cessation of activities, they resumed the certification process and successfully completed it.
AN INVITATION FOR MINERS
Macdesa sets big goals and seeks the growth of other organizations in the region. They have publicly invited other mining projects in the region to apply for Fairmined certification.
To my friends who work in mining, I tell you that this is the best path you can take. By getting certified you will develop. At Macdesa we have achieved so many things thanks to the Fairmined certification
Santiago refers to investments that MACDESA has made, such as acquiring machines to facilitate gold production and reduction of risks for operators. The environmental management policies, allow them to manage water responsibly and thanks to the Alliance for Responsible mining they also receive training in technological innovations, and local social development.
JOIN THE FAIRMINED INITIATIVE
Fairmined is an initiative of the Alliance for Responsible Mining that works to transform the lives of miners around the world, and their communities. Fairmined has 392 allied brands, and 7 mines in 2 countries (Colombia and Peru). If you are an organization and want to join write us.
If you want to buy certified gold from responsible mines, contact us.
