Environmental Projects
Almaden Announces Opening of Local Community Water Reservoir
In March 2020, Almaden announced that it had partnered with a local community group focused on irrigation development, and together coordinated with the Federal Government water authority to co-fund a new water reservoir in Zacatepec, a community located nearby the proposed Ixtaca mine development area with a population of approximately 240 people.
This reservoir is one of the projects identified which could bring immediate benefits to the local area even prior to Ixtaca development, and together with our partners, we have now completed the first stage. Next steps will involve adding new pipelines, tanks, and other structures to enhance the irrigation potential in support of local agricultural production.
On February 27th, 2020, Zacatepec hosted the opening ceremony for the reservoir. After the blessing of the water reservoir, the ceremony was finished with a meal in thanks for completion of the first stage of the project. A representative of the “Irrigation Group of Small Producers of Zacatepec” observed that this reservoir “will not only help to boost our current harvests, but also ensure that fewer people will have to leave the community due to lack of employment.”
Almaden has supported local initiatives for many years, and is pleased to do so particularly when it can be as impactful as improving access to fresh water and expanding local irrigation capacity. As the Ixtaca project advances we look forward to additional projects we can support in partnership with local communities and authorities.
For more on the water reservoir and water management at Ixtaca, please read our news release from March 7th, 2020
Reforestation Program at the Ixtaca Zone
Almaden has initiated a reforestation programs around the drill sites on the Ixtaca Zone. The plants selected for the program are three varieties of indigenous pine. Four men from the local community have been employed for the planting, which was timed to the beginning of the rainy season to ensure successful planting. The text and images above explain the process and ongoing work.
The reforestation program is intended to benefit the people living in the community of Santa Maria Zotoltepec. The increased awareness of the conservation and importance of indigenous plants. The project has also given income to eleven people from the community, who had no fixed means of income.
Training and equipping staff: Local men were hired to carry out the reforestation program. Training focussed on sensitivity to the project, caring for the environment, and the importance of wearing protective equipment.
Selection of species: The selection of species for reforestation program was based on the type of vegetation found in the project area, in this case three species of indigenous pine.
