Commencement of development of the Salamanca project is now underway following the selection of some of Spain’s largest infrastructure contractors, with activities on the ground commencing shortly.
The move into the development phase comes after nearly a decade of exploration and permitting success by Berkeley and more than $60m of investment into the region.
The initial work programs will be carried out by major infrastructure contractors Iberdrola Distribución S.A and Excavaciones y Transportes Cerezo who will carry out the re-routing an existing electrical power line to service the project and realign four kilometres of existing road to allow for the commencement of mining of the Retortillo pit.
We have been by far the largest investor in a rural community suffering from decades of under investment and will continue to invest and cooperate to promote employment in a region with a high level of unemployment, especially amongst its youth. To date we have received over 19,000 applications for the first 200 job vacancies offered.
We have formalised our commitment to being a good neighbour and a good community business partner through a cooperation agreement with the highly supportive local municipalities which in addition to significant royalties and taxes provides priority to the employment and training of local residents and the preferential support for businesses by sourcing goods and services locally.
Managing Director Paul Atherley commented:
“Salamanca has now moved into the development phase and the local support we have received for the project is fantastic. We are all very much looking forward to working closely with the local community as we bring the much needed jobs, training and new business activity to the area.”