Soma Gold Corp, the Colombia-focused miner, said it has received an award for environmental sustainability in the A category from the environmental authority of the Department of Antioquia.
The accolade was bestowed on December 9 this year and recognized the firm's Colombian subsidiary efforts to go "beyond" current legal regulations and achieve the "highest level" of best practices. It also recognized the miner's donation of 1,500 native trees as part of a reforestation program in the area.
"It's encouraging and gratifying for us to receive this recognition in the first year of operating Operadora as a 100% subsidiary of Soma," said Javier Cordova, Soma's CEO, in a statement.
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"We are committed to our ESG program, which is a top priority in all our operations, We are devoted to maintaining a sustainable operation by adhering to best practices in environmental, social and governance policies. For example, Operadora generates its own processing power at its hydroelectric power station. We plant trees to offset our carbon footprint and sponsor on-going programs with local communities to strengthen their social and administrative capabilities," Cordova added.
The company owns two adjacent mining properties - La Ye and Mangos - in Antioquia, Colombia with a combined milling capacity of 675 tonnes per day (tpd), and is permitted for 1,400 tpd.
The El Bagre mill is currently operating and producing and internally generated funds are being used to finance a regional exploration program.
Soma also owns an exploration and development property near Tucuma, Para State, Brazil.
Contact the writer at giles@proactiveinvestors.com