Partner Community Investment Program

The Partner Community Investment Program provides financial support for our mining partners’ economic, environmental and social initiatives within the communities that are directly influenced by the mines. The program is designed to increase the impact of our partners’ initiatives by either matching their funds for specific projects or in some instances, providing funding for new projects that are in addition to existing initiatives. Our partners manage the projects at the ground level and routinely provide us with progress updates and milestones achieved. Our team also meets with local stakeholders and visits the projects during their annual mine site visits.

We launched the program in 2014 and have since supported over 70 projects around 13 operating sites. Our team works closely with our partners to identify the needs of the community and assess where specific programs could help fill in gaps in services, infrastructure, or resources. 

quotes Thank you Wheaton Precious Metals International for your commitment to sustainable development and contribution to the improvement of the quality of life of the communities in the Pará state, Brazil, since 2015.
– Isis Pagy, Vale Foundation CEO

The positive results of the programs have proved that when we work together, resource development has the ability to provide long-term, sustainable benefits to the communities where these mining operations are located. For a complete list of programs supported in 2021, please see our Sustainability Report

Working with Partners & Communities

Vale - Economic Opportunities & Growth

Improving Small Business Opportunities for Women

In 2018, we initiated funding for a Vale Foundation program that provides support to 20 small women-run businesses in 13 communities along the Carajás Railway. The Carajás Railway carries the Salobo mine’s copper concentrate from Vale’s rail terminal in Parauapebas to the Ponta da Madeira Maritime Terminal. These businesses were hard hit when the Carajás Railway received new closed-window passenger trains. Previously, the women sold food and drinks to passengers on the train through the open windows, which was not possible with the newly designed trains. In response, the Vale Foundation initiated the Income Generation Support Program (AGIR in Portuguese) to promote the development of collective businesses with vendors who used to work along the railway. The program created a logo and a name for the network of women-run microbusinesses: “Women of Maranhão.” The women’s products are presented under the brand, which is associated with the high quality of the Vale Foundation, making them more attractive and recognizable to consumers. Since inception, the average income of program participants has increased by 255% as compared to the baseline.

Wheaton’s support has been directed towards increasing market access and commercialization of the produced goods and integrating the supply and production chains of the network’s businesses. The business owners have received training on accounting practices, developing operational efficiencies and how to use social media for marketing. In addition, there is a strong focus on expanding social inclusion and empowering women through improved literacy and overall business knowledge.

Supporting Entrepreneurial Programs

In 2019, Wheaton initiated funding for a Community Entrepreneurial Program in the municipality of Marabá. The program identifies groups of micro entrepreneurs with ideas or economic initiatives that can be leveraged by the program and offers them a course in business modelling. As part of the course, the program participants develop social business models. A multidisciplinary team will then evaluate and select the most viable plans. The selected business models will receive support through consulting services, technical advice and seed money to further improve and strengthen the implementation of the business plans.

All program participants will also benefit from monthly meetings whereby the entrepreneurs come together to discuss shared interests, answer specific questions and receive further information.


Vale - Health & Community

Providing Access to Community Programs

Wheaton has been actively supporting the communities of Tucumã and Marabá in the Pará State of Brazil since 2016. We provide funding for Knowledge Stations supported by the Vale Foundation. The stations offer opportunities for social development and various services to the vulnerable population living in nearby communities. Each station has been designed considering the needs of the community and offers health focused, educational, sporting, recreational and cultural activities for all ages.

Our funding has been directed towards the health and dental programs and structural improvements to the facilities including remodelling spaces into dental and medical offices, purchasing critical medical and dental equipment and furniture, and purchasing medicine and supplies. Healthcare professionals were also recruited to provide dental and medical services. In addition, Wheaton has funded other structural improvements including the installation of lightning deterrent safety systems at both stations to reduce risks posed by lightning strikes and repairs were made to the aging electrical and sewage systems.

In 2017–2018, we helped fund the construction of a covered sports court at the Marabá Knowledge Station. The all-weather facility was completed in October 2018 and is expected to be used by 1,000 participants every month in a variety of activities and events. The Knowledge Stations are an important resource to the residents of Tucumã and Marabá. The regular activities offered at the stations have benefited 2,000 children, youth and adults. The dental and medical programs that Wheaton funds provide over 100 medical and dental consultations every month. We continue to work closely with the Vale Foundation on new opportunities that will positively impact the local communities.

In 2019, Wheaton initiated funding for a third Knowledge Station in the state of Maranhão. The station is located in the municipality of Arari along the Carajás railway. The funds will be used to implement a medical and dental program that is similar to the programs in Tucumã and Marabá.

Improving Regional Healthcare

For our first initiative with the Vale Foundation, we funded a program to improve the quality of service at the Basic Health Unit in the town of Parauapebas, near the Salobo mine. Basic Health Units are government run “walk-in” medical clinics for residents of the surrounding communities. We funded the completion of a baseline study to understand the types of health-related issues that are prevalent in the communities.

To address the key issues identified in the baseline study, the project also provided training for health care professionals at the Basic Health Unit. In addition, local communities were educated on health-related issues, prevention and appropriate treatment. The program strengthened the relationship between the community and the Basic Health Unit.

The program provided training to 46 adolescents and young adults to become community health promoters in the rural areas of Parauapebas. The initiative brought together the community group, the local school and the rural health units in coordinated health focused activities.

A permanent health education centre was established to enable ongoing training and educational sessions to take place. Also, training was provided to community members to promote healthier practices in general. The project was completed in September 2017.

Glencore - Education & Recreation

Enhancing Regional Education

Glencore Ensena Peru 1 Glencore Ensena Peru 2

Since 2017, we have supported a program in partnership with Compañía Minera Antamina S.A. (“CMA”), the joint venture company that operates Antamina, to help improve the quality of education in the region near the Antamina mine. Studies conducted in the area indicated lower-than-average levels of basic reading and math skills. CMA with Wheaton’s support commenced a unique program in partnership with Enseña Peru to improve the academic performance and interpersonal skills of the students in the rural areas. Enseña Peru is a non-profit organization that is part of the Teach for All global network dedicated to ensuring all children can fulfill their potential.

The program selects and trains recent university graduates to be placed in rural schools as Enseña Peru professionals (PEPs) for a two-year period. The PEPs supplement the existing schoolteachers and bring new perspectives to teaching. PEPs also engage with students in extracurricular activities and assist them with the development of interpersonal skills. In the Ancash region of Peru, 37 schools have been selected to participate in the program and 68 PEPs have been placed in those schools.

The second part of the program provides existing teachers at the schools with the opportunity to receive specialized training and resources through the “Qué Maestro!” program, which is a training and accompaniment program where the leadership, soft skills and pedagogical skills of teachers, coordinators and directors of public schools are strengthened. To date, 49 existing teachers have received training through the Qué Maestro! program.

Enseña Peru programs are successful by focusing on a few regions for a prolonged period. The program is closely monitored to ensure that the desired results are achieved, and that the community is benefitting from the program. Since the program began, initial results show significant improvement in reading, math and interpersonal skills. In addition, students have undertaken several social initiatives with supervision from PEPs including a mobile library, micro businesses in arts and crafts and violence prevention education.

Providing Social Development Opportunities

In August 2016, we began working with Glencore’s Peruvian subsidiary, the operator of the Yauliyacu mine, to establish a table tennis program for youth in the community of San Mateo de Huanchor. Through the joint program, table tennis equipment including tables, rackets, nets and balls were purchased, and three rooms were remodelled for table tennis training and to host games. In addition, three coaches were hired to run after-school table tennis training sessions. The program has engaged the Peruvian Table Tennis Federation to provide training to the coaches in sports techniques. This program provides an opportunity for youth to participate in organized extracurricular activity outside of school while developing a new skill set.

Since its introduction, the program has raised the self-esteem of the youth participants and improved their self-discipline through practicing common sports values including responsibility and respect. In addition, participants from the Table Tennis School of San Mateo advanced to the National School Sports Games representing the district and the province, which is generating a great sense of pride.

Hudbay - Agricultural Support

Growing Economic Opportunities

In 2017, Hudbay and Wheaton launched an Agricultural Development Program (“ADP”) in the Chumbivilcas province of Peru near the Constancia mine. The agricultural-focused program helps support over half of the local population, which raises livestock for their primary source of income. In 2016, in collaboration with the local government, Hudbay built the Cullahuata Dairy Plant to support economic diversification. Upon completion, the plant was being utilized at only 25% of its capacity and had significant potential to expand the amount of dairy produced. The plant, which processes milk and produces cheeses, yogurts and butter, provides community members with skills development and employment opportunities.

Wheaton partnered with Hudbay on various elements of the program in an effort to increase local dairy production and create further income-generating opportunities for the communities. Over 450 families living in the four nearby communities benefit from technical training related to feeding, reproduction, livestock health management and milking practices. The ADP also facilitated the construction of barns and sheds to house the cattle. The ADP also aims to increase the percentage of product that receives quality certification and to help with marketing. ProActivo, one of the largest mining magazines in Peru, recognized the ADP program for its multi-stakeholder approach and contribution to social development with an award in November 2018.


First Majestic - Cultural Centre & Radio Access

Improving Communication Through Community Radio

In 2019, Wheaton partnered with First Majestic to provide funding for the setup and operation of the first local radio station in the town of Tayoltita where the San Dimas mine is located. Radio is widely recognized as a powerful and inclusive communication tool. It is highly regarded for promoting access to information, especially to remote communities. The project’s objective is to improve and promote communication between the mine and the community.

The radio station will serve as a platform for public announcements and community relations initiatives as well as deliver a variety of content including cultural music and entertainment. As part of the project, a building will be renovated to host the radio station as well as a “Cultural Centre” that will be used to provide additional community programs and activities.

First Majestic - Social Development

Community Playground & Recreational Facilities

Primero Recreational Primero Recreational Program 2

One of Wheaton’s inaugural Partner CSR programs was in Tayoltita, where the San Dimas mine is located and now operated by First Majestic Silver. The project provided funding for the construction of three community recreational facilities. The town of approximately 8,000 is home to most of the San Dimas employees. Completed in 2015, this project provides recreational opportunities that promote health and well being while encouraging positive interactions within the community. For the first time, the town has playgrounds, outdoor fitness facilities for adults, softball and soccer fields, and a multipurpose court for basketball and volleyball.