Fura Gems Inc. (TSXV: FURA, OTC: FUGMF and FRA:
BJ43) (“
Fura Gems” or the
“
Company”) is pleased to announce updates on its
Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
(“
CSR”) program at the Coscuez emerald project in
Boyacá, Colombia (the “
Coscuez Emerald Mine” or
“
Coscuez”).
Key Highlights
- Fura Gems’ CSR program was initiated in January 2018,
immediately following the acquisition of Coscuez by the
Company;
- The CSR program contains a comprehensive social
characterisation study in San Pablo de Borbur, as well as community
socialisation sessions with 95% of more than 1,000 attendees having
a positive perception of the Company’s entry in to the area;
- Fura Gems’ sustainability team is currently composed of six
employees and consultants who have been trained to conduct the
surveying and socialisation processes;
- Since completion of the acquisition Coscuez, the Company has
launched the first transparent employment recruitment processes in
the area;
- The Company has created direct employment for 270 people, of
whom 90% are from the region of operations, and has strengthened
its relationship with more than 70 local suppliers, thus supporting
the improvement of living conditions for more than 340 families in
West Boyaca;
- The Company has initiated a number of social projects,
including a seamstress workshop, carpentry and construction,
providing opportunities for community members and traditional
miners;
- With national and local partners, the Company offers English
language courses as well as bakery training;
- A values-based soccer initiative for 300 youth in the Company’s
area of interest will be initiated in the forthcoming months;
- The Company is continuing to develop economic alternatives
outside the mining value chain with partners, and plans for the
construction of a health clinic are underway to significantly
improve the access to healthcare; and
- Fura Gems is in the process of promoting an SMS communications
platform for local stakeholders that allows free, direct and
constant engagement, participation and feedback regarding CSR
action plans.
Dev Shetty, President & CEO of Fura,
commented:
“We are pleased to have developed the local
socialisation sessions, the baseline CSR study and community
engagement activities and we are delighted that our bakery and
seamstress workshop projects were inaugurated by Ahmed Bin Sulayem,
Executive Chairman of Dubai Multi Commodity Centre. We are excited
about implementing the next phase of our CSR programs and we have
launched two new projects: Goals for Hope and the Coscuez Health
Clinic.”
“CSR remains a priority across the breadth of
Fura’s operations. We continue to promote a process whereby the
Company and communities work together, learning from each other,
and making a positive contribution in our area of influence.”
Social characterisation and baseline
study
The Company’s sustainability team has completed
2,460 surveys as the basis for a social
characterization study that included San Pablo de Borbur
municipality’s 26 veredas. The study’s main objectives
consisted of generating a population baseline to understand local
conditions, gaps in development, the mentality of the community
towards mining and to identify opportunities for short, medium and
long-term projects. This has been vital in the development of
communications and engagement strategies and assessment of risks
and impacts.
During this process, the main grievances voiced
by community members were the lack of: economic opportunities in
the area, access to training, access to higher education, gaps in
investment in health and youths, as well as the absence of a
platform to participate in decision-making processes within the
region. It is based on the study, as well as constant interaction
and engagement, that the Company has developed its CSR intervention
lines and activities. Our CSR activities will be monitored and
adjusted as a result of regular feedback from communities, and our
baseline study, which the Company plans to carry out annually, will
be updated.
CSR intervention lines
Opportunities have been developed to generate
income for community members through employment, procurement and
economic alternative programs The Company launched the
first transparent recruitment process in the area
in January 2018 and the second at the end of April 2018. This
included educating local candidates in employment legislation and
standards. During both recruitment stages, the Company received
more than 1,500 resumes from local and regional candidates.
To date, the Company has employed 270
people, of which over 90% are from the
region, working in operations, administration and general
services (cooking and cleaning). They receive salaries, health
coverage and benefits according to Colombian legislation and for
some this is the first time in their careers. This is a milestone
in the region, in terms of formalisation and professionalisation of
traditional and empirical mining activity.
Additionally, local procurement processes have
been strengthened in order to minimise the community’s dependence
on mining and to promote different economic lines. To date, more
than 70 local suppliers ranging from food,
textiles and tool construction have been supported in
formalisation through investment by the Company
and the provision by the Company of advice on legislation, taxes
and financial management.
Seamstress Workshop
On October 14, 2018, the Coscuez Seamstress
Workshop project was inaugurated by Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive
Director of Dubai Multi Commodity Centre (DMCC). The Company
provides ongoing support to the project in terms of
procurement and business advice. Women taking part in the
project approached the Company during socialisation sessions and
developed their proposals during daily interactions with the
Company’s CSR team. Through activities such as these, the Company
supports programs that champion women, promote their independence
and offer formal employment that contribute to the overall income
of their families.
Furthermore, Fura Gems is developing plans to
promote traditional regional vocations, to strengthen the
communities’ sense of belonging and discover new opportunities for
growth. Currently, long term agricultural, services, tourism, and
other economic lines are being discussed with communities,
authorities and international parties.
Bakery Training
This month, along with national and local
partners, the Company has initiated a bakery training
course run by the state National Learning Service
(SENA) whereby participants will gain a nationally
recognised certificate on completion. The project is a
collaboration between institutions, the community and Fura Gems.
The community school provided access to a building which Fura Gems
refurbished, providing the necessary equipment and suppliers. The
plan is that when the bakery reaches the targets it sets itself,
Fura Gems will officially transfer the ownership of the equipment
to the project.
The idea for the bakery was proposed by a group
of women with no formal business training but a clear desire for a
brighter future. This project will give them initial financial
support, practical training and ongoing advice. The mine and the
community of over 2,000 persons currently import baked goods from
Chiquinquira, which is a 3 hour drive away, so the bakery
project will offer a level of independence to the
community and while the mine itself will initially offer a
client base, the aim is for the bakery to be an independent
enterprise. The project was inaugurated by Ahmed Bin Sulayem,
Executive Director of Dubai Multi Commodity Centre (DMCC) on
October 14, 2018.
Community Development Support
The Company is engaging authorities at regional
and national levels in order to identify local needs and initiate
development partnerships for projects and investment. It is
focusing its efforts on educational programs to help
promote empowerment and support communities in becoming
active participants in their development.
Since February of this year, the Company has
supported more than 14 regional initiatives and events including
Quinchas Alliance Forum, National Miners’ Festival, Borbur’s
Children’s Day, sports activities in various municipalities and the
iconic Otanche Culture Festival.
English Lessons
The Company has started giving English
language courses to 150 community members
of all ages. This program was developed in response to community
proposals during the socialisation sessions and currently has a
waiting list of 200 people, who are working towards nationally
recognised certificates aligned with the Common European Framework
of Reference for Languages. The classes, which focus on
speaking, listening, reading and speaking skills, are free of
charge.
Coscuez Health Clinic
Plans are underway for a Health Clinic at
Coscuez, which could potentially benefit 3,000
community members and Company workers by
providing basic healthcare, which would reduce the 40 minute drive
to the closest healthcare facility, which is currently in San Pablo
de Borbur.
Value Based Football Centre
A value-based soccer initiative Goals for Hope
will provide training for 300 youths as part of a 26 week
program which will be rolled out before the end of the
year in the Company’s area of interest. The goal is to cultivate
family values, discipline and physical and mental health through
sports training. Children will be spend their free time
productively, while integrating themselves into the wider
community. The sessions will take place during the weekends and in
various communities, so as to promote integration among parents and
positive relationships between communities.
Environmental Squads
Environmental squads comprised of former
barqeueros, who used to contribute to contamination of water
sources, are now in training to preserve and protect the
environment through various activities conducted within the
Company’s environmental management plan. Youth environmental groups
are also developed to educate children and train them in various
environmental preservation activities. A series of tree plantation
sessions have already been carried out.
Communications and Social
Contingency
The Company considers maintaining transparent
and continuous communication and dialogue with its stakeholders a
priority of its CSR vision. As soon as Fura Gems took over
operations of the Coscuez Emerald Mine, the sustainability team
engaged with various stakeholders at national, regional and local
levels to discuss the acquisition and plans to mine the
license.
Pre-socialisation meetings were carried out with
the Bishop of Chiquinquirá, Luis Felipe Sanchez Aponte, San Pablo
de Borbur and Otanche’s municipal offices, as well as regional
authorities and local social leaders. These meetings were followed
by community socialisation sessions carried out on January 27th and
28th of this year in the four main sectors of the Company’s area of
interest in Coscuez and Santa Bárbara veredas in San Pablo de
Borbur. The meetings hosted approximately 1000
attendees from all segments of the population, who were
informed about the Company and its plans and gave the attendees the
opportunity to express their expectations and concerns. The
sessions resulted in a 95% positive perception of the Company’s
entrance to the area.
In order to maintain constant communication and
engagement, as well as to promote a platform for community
participation, the Company’s sustainability team carries
out daily rounds with residents, as well as awareness
sessions at different locations and sectors. Further, the Company
is in the process of implementing an SMS communication platform for
local stakeholders that allows direct engagement and continuous
information, promoting empowerment through knowledge.
Fura Gems has established a social office and
grievance redress to promote active community participation,
feedback on Company plans and ultimately, continuous improvement of
overall company performance. This process is complemented with the
establishment of local working groups composed of authorities,
Company and community members to discuss particular topics of
interest in the region.
In the course of the next few months, the
Company will continue to develop initiatives focusing on economic
alternatives, local procurement and health and training. The
Company will also organise spaces where communities can be informed
of Company and community progress and offer feedback, since the
Company considers these interactions strong foundations on which to
develop long-lasting, sustainable relationships in the region.
For more information about Fura Gems
Inc., please contact:
Fura Gems
Inc. |
|
Dev Shetty - President & Chief Executive Officer |
Tel: +971 (0) 4 240 8760dev.shetty@furagems.com |
Brad ScharfeDirector – Investor Relations |
Tel: 1+(778)386-1313 Brad.scharfe@furagems.com |
Public Relations Tavistock (UK)Jos Simson / Barney Hayward |
Tel: +44-207-920-3150fura@tavistock.co.uk |
About Fura Gems Inc.
Fura Gems Inc. is a gemstone mining and
marketing company which is engaged in the mining, exploration and
acquisition of gemstone licences. Fura’s headquarters are located
in Toronto, Canada and its administrative headquarters are located
in the Almas Tower, Dubai. Fura is listed on the TSX Venture
Exchange under the ticker symbol “FURA”.
Fura is engaged in the exploration of resource
properties in Colombia and owns a 76% interest the Coscuez emerald
mine in Boyacá, Colombia. Fura is involved in the exploration and
mining of rubies in Mozambique through its 80% effective interest
in the four ruby licences (4392, 3868, 3869 and 6811) that it
acquired in November 2017.
Regulatory Statements
This press release may contain “forward looking
information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities
legislation. Forward looking information includes, but is not
limited to, statements with respect the mineralization as the
Coscuez Emerald Mine, the prospectivity of the Coscuez Emerald
Mine, the Company’s ability to develop the Coscuez Emerald Mine,
the market price of Emeralds and other gemstones, the Company’s
exploration activities and mining activities, the Company’s ability
to execute its CSR programs and their impact, the relationship
between the Company and the Community and local stakeholders and
the Company’s performance. Generally, forward looking information
can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as
“plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”,
“scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or
“does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words
and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”,
“could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be
achieved”. Forward-looking information is subject to known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the
actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of
the Company to be materially different from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking information, including but not
limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical
and social uncertainties; the actual results of exploration
activities; regulatory risks; risks inherent in foreign operations,
uncertainties with respect to the Coscuez deposit, which has never
been subject to modern mining methods nor any comprehensive
feasibility study; legacy environmental risks, title risks and
other risks of the mining industry. Although the Company has
attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those contained in
forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause
results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can
be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as
actual results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not
place undue reliance on forward looking information. The Company
does not undertake to update any forward-looking information,
except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS
REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE
POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS
RELEASE.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
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Fura Gems (TSXV:FURA)
過去 株価チャート
から 12 2024 まで 1 2025
Fura Gems (TSXV:FURA)
過去 株価チャート
から 1 2024 まで 1 2025