Community Engagement

In successfully developing its Fenix Project, Skye Resources is also committed to improving peoples’ lives in the surrounding communities by encouraging, assisting and supporting sustainable community development. Success will be based on undertaking comprehensive and meaningful public consultation throughout all stages of the Project.

Early stage community benefits driven by community needs are already emerging from consultation conducted as part of the Social Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Fenix Project.

Community development initiatives will focus on improving health, education, infrastructure and socio-economic conditions while protecting the environment and preserving the cultural heritage and values of the region’s indigenous population.

CGN has created and funded a community association called Raxche. Raxche is already working on projects to improve health and education for people in the communities surrounding the project. Last Spring it launched a consultation program in support of developing community aspirations that will direct the economic development work the Association does. It is also supporting the Community Housing Finance (CHF) Foundation in carrying out a broad regional economic planning exercise. CHF is an international non-profit society that has worked on economic development initiatives in Central America.

Community-driven social development is an integral part of Skye Resources operating plan. The mineral resources at Fenix should last well over 20 years. The Project, with community participation, can have a long-term positive impact on the municipality of El Estor and the communities surrounding it.

The consultation team for the SEA reached 3,292 people from more than 28 communities through two or more of the following consultation techniques in 2006:

• door-to-door interviews;

• meetings with communities;
• assemblies with communities;
• focus groups; technical seminars;
• pavilions (fixed and mobile);
• brochures; and
• audio and video programs.

While every community has its own unique needs, concerns and issues, preliminary findings from the community engagement process indicate several areas of common concern. They are:

• A lack of communication, meaningful information, knowledge and the ability to understand the project
• A desire for employment and a genuine interest in the re-opening of the plant and mine
• Concern over water and environmental contamination
• The need for development projects throughout the region.

The company is already responding to several of these concerns. It has redesigned many of its communications programs (media, radio, posters, bulletins) and approach to consultation to better meet the needs of the stakeholders. It has recently engaged in a comprehensive review of Q’eqchi culture and ‘cosmovision’ (including focus groups) to help it better understand the communities and how to communicate with them.

The Public Consultation program for the SEA concluded on July 25, 2006, with a plant tour and presentation for local NGO’s in El Estor.

The Public Consultation Report (PCR) is now being prepared and will be followed by the Public Consultation Disclosure Plan (PCDP). Both documents will be public and available to all stakeholders in Spanish and English. Summaries of the reports will also be produced and distributed in the local Mayan language - Q’eqchi. Once complete, all summary documents will be posted on this website.

For a more comprehensive overview on our commitment to the community, please read our Progress Report on Community Engagement and our Social and Environmental Policy Statement.