Annual Report 2007 - Antofagasta plc

Corporate Social Responsibility continuedand their families, local residents, representatives ofprofessional organisations and regional authorities.CSR REPORTThe Minera Los Pelambres Foundation supports agriculturaldevelopment in the Choapa Valley.nationwide by sponsoring performances in oneof Antofagasta’s theatres together with AMSA,Esperanza and Michilla.Michilla works closely with the communities ofMejillones and Caleta Michilla, a small communitydependent on fishing. During 2007, the companysupported Caleta Michilla by providing drinking water,electricity, and running an emergency service forhouseholds. Activities developed in 2007 includedguided visits to its operations and a workshop holdingdiscussions on alcohol and drug abuse. The companyhas continued to strengthen its relationship with otherlocal stakeholders by participating in exhibitions andevents locally.Following a serious earthquake in northern Chile inNovember 2007, Michilla, El Tesoro and Esperanzawere all involved in helping the people and townsaffected by providing food, water and heavy dutyequipment.Although ADASA’s prime objective is to provide goodquality water to its customers it fully recognises itsrole in the supply and value chains in the area. In thisregard, ADASA has established a supportive networkwith 16 educational bodies, health and municipalauthorities and the National Environment Commission(“CONAMA”). The network has developed a programmecalled “Culture for Life in the Desert”, designed tokeep the local communities informed on health issuesand environment awareness. Public meetings andseminars are held regularly, attended by employeesIn 2004 the FCAB started programmes and projects forcomputer skills and basic literacy for its employees andtheir families and local communities and in August2005 it started the Cyber Train project which wasorganised and funded by the Andrónico Luksic AbaroaFoundation. The joint project has contributed to thedevelopment and culture of vulnerable areas of theAntofagasta community, and was designed to improveopportunities for disadvantaged people. The CyberTrain itself is made up of passenger coaches datingfrom the 1900s which have been modified andequipped with networked computers and broadband toprovide a virtual library and cultural centre. Technicalsupport and supervisory help is provided and beingmobile, the Train reaches out to the wider community.It has three modules:• electronic literacy – basic training in surfing theinternet, using email, chat rooms and wordprocessors;• reading development – designed to motivate electronicand traditional reading and use of library facilities; and• cultural development which encourages people tosurf the net and visit virtual museums and galleries.The FCAB was the first company to be awarded theDigital Literacy Hallmark prize awarded by the ChileanNational Training and Employment Service (SENCE) inthe Antofagasta region. During 2006, the Cyber Trainexceeded its targets as children and adults tookadvantage of its computer and educational services.These services were further developed in 2007to reach a wider audience in neighbouring towns.The FCAB also equipped the Secondary School inMejillones with computers and awarded studentgrants for further education at universities.The FCAB’s sponsorship of cultural and artistic activityincludes a book fair and cinema festival as well asconcerts and plays. Sporting activities have also beenorganised for the local community and for children.During 2007, the FCAB opened the doors of itsHeritage Museum to the local community whichhas been widely appreciated.58Antofagasta plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2007