As a trusted employer, a valued customer and a welcome neighbour, Hudbay knows how important it is to be part of the communities we serve. Our conviction to being a positive force within the community is demonstrated in our nearly 100-year history, and is central to our strategy of building long-life mines and embodied in our purpose.
Peru went through a time of national political unrest in 2022 and 2023 that affected the Cusco mining region in the Peruvian Andes, where several mines owned by international companies, including Hudbay’s Constancia mine, can be found. As part of the unrest, demonstrators regularly blocked the roads into mining operations, interrupting the movement of personnel, supplies, equipment and ore to and from mining operations.
In January 2023, protestors came to Constancia, and caused some property damage to local suppliers’ trucks. Their impact was minimized, however, when they were greeted by people from the nearby community of Chilloroya. The community members had brought food for the protestors and, after sharing lunch, asked them, politely but firmly, to do no further harm to “their” mine.
Throughout this period of unrest, Hudbay was able to keep the Constancia mill operating. This achievement was made possible by some smart logistical planning and, more importantly, because of more than a decade’s worth of focus on building and maintaining close, mutually rewarding relationships with people and communities near Constancia.
Long before the first shovelful was turned at Constancia, we had people on the ground introducing Hudbay and explaining who we were and how we operated. At the same time, we listened and learned from the local population to understand both their concerns and their hopes for having a busy, large-scale mine operating near where they made their homes and raised their families.
That relationship continues unabated as Constancia moves into its second decade. We have approximately 60 people on our community relations team charged with strengthening our relations with our neighbours. Over 20% of the employees at Constancia come from the local area, and through outreach, training and other initiatives, we are looking for ways to increase that number.
In addition to direct employment, we also engage many locals as contractors and suppliers on jobs ranging from haul truck driving to catering, from laundry to gardening. We have provided financing and training to help people establish businesses and gain skills that can provide opportunities beyond our mine.
Local communities must benefit from our presence – they are our partners in prosperity.