Mining companies often face scrutiny about their impact on local communities, but when handled thoughtfully, their role can extend far beyond resource extraction. Alta Copper Corp. (TSX: ATCU, OTCQX: ATCUF) is showing how meaningful engagement and investment in the communities near their operations can build lasting benefits for everyone involved. In the District of Cañaris, Lambayeque, Peru, Alta Copper has doubled down on efforts to support local infrastructure, foster entrepreneurship, and maintain an open dialogue with residents.
Responding to a direct request from the Mayor of Cañaris, Alta Copper donated fuel to power heavy machinery for maintaining key roadways connecting sixteen nearby hamlets. This support enabled repair and upgrading of around 50 kilometers of pathways that are vital for residents’ daily transportation and moving local goods. Local officials welcomed the contribution, noting it directly improves access for people and commerce and hoping for ongoing support in further maintenance projects. The effort represents a practical, hands-on partnership between the mining company and community leaders, focused on shared goals rather than one-sided aid.
Beyond infrastructure, Alta Copper is emphasizing business development through hands-on assistance in the Productive Competitiveness Support Program, known as PROCOMPITE, a regional initiative that helps small ventures secure needed equipment and technical support. Alta Copper provided guidance on preparing business plans and project proposals, along with capacity building to help community entrepreneurs present and implement their projects effectively. This year, four out of seven assisted ventures won grants of up to $46,400 (S/160,000) each, helping them access tools and resources to grow. Over time, these efforts have helped local families access approximately $290,000 (S/1,000,000) in in-kind support, building a stronger local economy alongside the company’s mining activities.
Maintaining transparent communication has also been a priority. Alta Copper organized workshops and training sessions engaging more than 450 community members, local leaders, and institutions. These meetings not only support planning for community development but also reinforce social cohesion around Alta Copper’s Cañariaco Project. By fostering inclusive participation, the company aims to become a trusted and contributing presence that listens and responds to local needs.
From the perspective of Alta Copper’s leadership, investing in community well-being is more than goodwill; it is a commitment to shared value. The company expects that the advancement of the Cañariaco Project will bring steady job opportunities, infrastructure improvements, and broader economic benefits to Cañaris residents over time.
The Cañariaco Project itself is a substantial copper development in northern Peru, covering 91 square kilometers northeast of Chiclayo. It includes the Cañariaco Norte and Sur deposits, plus the Quebrada Verde prospect, all along a 4-kilometer mineral trend. According to a Preliminary Economic Assessment released in June 2024, Cañariaco Norte holds measured and indicated resources estimated at 9.3 billion pounds of copper with significant gold and silver content, while Cañariaco Sur adds inferred resources worth billions more in copper and other metals. This makes it one of the largest undeveloped copper deposits in the Americas outside of major mining corporations.
Alta Copper’s approach recognized by local officials as collaborative and practical, focusing on harnessing the company’s capabilities to meet community challenges. The ongoing partnerships emphasize that mining development and community progress don’t have to be separate, when done with respect and openness, they can move forward together.
This model offers an example for other mining companies operating in rural areas, demonstrating how infrastructure support, entrepreneurship assistance, and consistent dialogue can create positive, tangible outcomes that benefit communities and businesses alike.
