Community Relations and the Environment
Andean recognizes the importance of protecting the environment in all aspects of its day to day project operations and exploration activities.
The Company aims to carry out its activities in a manner which now, and in the future, will reflect "best practice" in environmental performance. To achieve this Andean integrates environmental issues into the planning of all its on-site activities.
The Company has established a base-line monitoring program to identify normal levels of rainfall, water quality, wind strength and wind direction across the Cerro Negro project area.
At the point of commencing any feasibility study on the project, a full Environmental Impact Study ("EIS") will be carried out to ensure not only compliance with relevant mining codes etc but also that any proposed mining operations meet the expectations and needs of the local community in and around the project area.
The Company strives to build long term relationships with local land owners and other members of the local and provincial communities and to this end engages local contractors for many of the activities that support its exploration efforts. At the local stakeholder level, formal meetings and presentations have also been variously conducted during the year with Provincial Mines Department representatives, local residents and land owners and local environmental authorities as part of building local awareness and acceptance of the company and its activities.
The viability of developing projects in the region can be demonstrated by the construction of the San Jose epithermal gold project which is located 25km's north of Cerro Nergo. The San Jose project is owned jointly by the TSX listed Minera Andes Inc. and the AIM listed Hochschild mining company from Peru.
The Company has now formally established its Argentinean office and administration activities in the local provincial town of Caleta Olivia recognizing the importance it places on having a strong and visible local presence in Santa Cruz province.