OUR COMMUNITIES

Bringing lasting benefits to local communities

Equinox Gold believes that mining projects can breathe new life into communities, bringing significant economic benefits and social development opportunities that can endure well beyond the life of the project. Early engagement and collaboration is a cornerstone of Equinox Gold’s business model.

Award for Mining Excellence

RESPONSIBLE MINING

Corporate Presentation Fact Sheet

Communication & Collaboration

Early and open communication

By communicating early and openly with community members and other stakeholders, Equinox Gold can incorporate suggestions into its development plans, minimizing negative impacts and resulting in projects that are more robust and supported by local communities.

The Company’s Open Doors program offers site tours for local authorities, associations and school groups so they can see the mines first hand and learn about mining operations. In addition, regular visits to neighbouring communities ensures Equinox Gold is getting real-time feedback from the communities in which it operates.

Hiring and buying locally

Equinox Gold offers training programs for a wide range of employment opportunities, which benefits both the company and local communities. Having a pool of skilled employees reduces the competition for labour that is so prevalent in the mining industry, and fosters community support for the project. In addition, hiring locally ensures that Equinox Gold can communicate in local languages and better understand the cultural and political nuances of doing business outside of Canada.

Providing the opportunity to learn new skills also brings long-lasting benefits to community members, who can advance through the workforce with Equinox Gold, transfer these skills to other projects in the region, or create new support businesses in the community. 

Equinox Gold hires locally at all of its mines to ensure that local communities are benefiting from mine development and operations, and that community members have the opportunity to develop new skills. At all of Equinox Gold’s Brazil mines, 99% of the workforce is Brazilian with the majority of employees and contractors coming from local communities. At the Company’s Los Filos Mine in Mexico, 99% of the employees are Mexican and 100% of unionized employees are from neighbouring communities.

Equinox Gold also contributes to economic prosperity by purchasing goods and services from local suppliers, using numerous support services and encouraging the development of new businesses, and paying taxes, royalties and feeds to local, state/provincial and federal governments.
Equinox Gold offers training programs and is committed to hiring locally
Equinox Gold strives to have a positive social impact by supporting development initiatives that meet the needs and priorities of local communities.

Supporting local initiatives

Equinox Gold’s objective is to leave a legacy of improved infrastructure, skills development, and healthier communities. Equinox Gold meets regularly with local leaders and community interest groups to discuss local issues, seek common solutions and implement cooperative strategies that improve the quality of life for community members.

For example, at its Aurizona Mine in Brazil, Equinox Gold has partnered with both local and federal groups to support a number of initiatives that have improved the quality of life for local communities. Equinox Gold assisted with the installation of a potable water treatment plant in Aurizona Village and offers access to the company’s urgent care and emergency clinic. Equinox Gold supports local cultural events and sports programs for children and teenagers, and supports campaigns for gender equality and the prevention of domestic violence, substance abuse and common illnesses. 

Most recently at Aurizona, Equinox Gold has invested and participated in the Integrated and Sustainable Agroecological Production program, which promotes entrepreneurship and training in new agricultural and fishery opportunities to provide income and revenue alternatives for artisanal miners. The Company also recently completed construction of a new school at a neighbouring community.

The Company’s Partnership Program at its Fazenda and Pilar mines in Brazil supports local associations by supporting community development projects. More than half of the projects supported so far are employment and income generation projects, contributing to the diversification of local economies and development of productive activities other than mining.

Equinox Gold is commited to community wellbeing and supports health campaigns, sports programs and cultural events. At its Los Filos Mine in Mexico, Equinox Gold has contributed to community health infrastructure and supported health care services. Also at Los Filos, education is promoted through scholarships for basic and university schooling. 

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