In the Chiquitos Province of Bolivia where the Don Mario Mine is located, the Company is actively involved in the areas of education, sanitation, purchasing of local goods and services and generally working with communities to contribute to the improvement of their standard of living. In 2011, Orvana renewed its support of investing just over $1.8 million in the local communities over a five year period. Projects supported by Orvana include supervision of and financial support for community development projects such as utilities and parks, education and information technology, cultural events and sporting initiatives, community business development initiatives, agricultural projects and maintenance of community roads.
In the period from 2011 to the second quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company had funded a total of $1.3 million. Outside of Orvana’s committed support, the Company funded $184,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2014 for a total of $633,000 in additional community support since 2011. Projects are jointly monitored by the Company and community boards and funds are paid directly to contractors based on project work completed.