Community Relations

In seeking to create its ‘social licence’, CGN is striving for an ongoing community engagement program that:

• Operates and conducts business in a social responsible manner
• Engages in comprehensive and meaningful public consultation based on open, transparent and honest communications
• Seeks to improve peoples’ lives in the surrounding communities by encouraging, assisting and supporting sustainable community development through the non-profit development organization, Raxche
• Is executed by a dedicated Community Relations Team
• Respects the rights of its workers and all stakeholders, actively listens to their ideas and concerns and recognizes their values
• Leads by example as an active participant of the Center for Social Responsibility (CentraRSE) in Guatemala.

CGN has conducted investigations into the archaeology, demographics and economy of the region, as well as the health, culture and spirituality of its people to better understand the unique social dynamics of the Q’eqchi community. CGN is very aware of the need to provide honest, meaningful and relevant information about the Project to the communities in the area, and understand their concerns and issues. To this end, it established a program of information conferences with the community, municipal, and government authorities within the departments of Izabal and Alta Verapaz. Additionally, CGN is working closely with civic leaders, schools, religious groups, and environmental organizations in its efforts to inform and communicate with people.

The CGN Community Relations Team was formed in April 2005 and is tasked with engaging communities by seeking their concerns, giving them information and involving them in the project.

The Community Relations Team started with a staff of three community “advocates” and finished the year with seven. Each of them is Q´eqchi and is a Q´eqchi speaker. In the last year, the Community Relations Team visited more than 30 communities and met in its offices with approximately 20 groups from neighboring communities.

In order to create stronger bonds between the Company and these communities, the Team invited social leaders from several neighboring towns to form a discussion table of “community managers” or “Gestores”. The Gestores’ Committee meets every Friday to discuss ideas and concerns. The group has 12 members. They are chosen based on the following criteria: willingness to help their community, a genuine desire to participate, being a stakeholder of an impacted area, being a positive leader.

Early stage community benefits driven by community needs are already emerging. For example, the community of Santa Maria recently completed a joint venture with the company to bring potable water to the community. CGN provided the resources and supplies to lay over 2 kms of water pipe and the community dug the trench line. The success of this project is particularly significant because the company and community only recently engaged in meaningful dialogue; before this the community lacked trust in the company.

Visit CGN’s Spanish web site at www.cgn.com.gt