In an act loaded with spiritual and social symbolism, the Mining Convention Perumin 37 delivered to the Metropolitan Archbishop of Arequipa, Monsignor Javier del Río Alba, an image in silver of Santa Rosa de Lima, patron saint of Peruvian mining to be delivered to Pope Leo XIV.
The moment occurred in the framework of the presentation of the “Mining and Faith” Initiative, whose purpose is to build bridges between the mining sector and various religious confessions to build citizen confidence, combat illegal mining and strengthen the relationship with communities.
During the ceremony, Archbishop Javier del Río Alba stressed that this project arises in response to problems that affect the country, such as the expansion of illegal mining, distrust of industry and lack of listening to local populations.
“In the Mining and Faith initiative, it is here that the union of efforts between legal mining companies and religions can provide a much more valuable contribution to society even than all the millions that this industry pays in taxes and those that you and we allocate to works of social good,” said the prelate.
For his part, Domingo Drago, vice president of external affairs of Gold Fields Américas, highlighted the coincidences between the mining sector and the churches.
“Churches and mining companies share the same concerns: distrust, corruption, lack of listening. We both intend and work for the benefit of the country, citizens and their families,” he said.
