Mining company partners with community for growth in Peru
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Compañía Minera Poderosa in Pataz, Peru, has expanded its mineral processing from 120 to 1,940 tons daily over five decades while also investing in local infrastructure and community development.
When the company began operations in 1982, the area lacked basic services like roads, electricity, and sanitation, prompting them to address these needs first. Poderosa built roads, an airstrip, and electrical infrastructure, then made these improvements available for public use.
The company established a system where local community development committees, elected by residents, identify priorities and manage project funding with support from the municipal government, rather than relying solely on the mining company’s social budget. This approach extends to water and sanitation through local administrative boards, which maintain systems with Poderosa’s financial and training support, ensuring residents pay for their water consumption. Beyond infrastructure, Poderosa has focused on social progress.
They report that childhood anemia rates in Pataz decreased from 74% in 2008 to around 7% currently, while chronic child malnutrition fell from 21% to 14% in 2025. The company also works with the International Potato Center to develop improved potato varieties for local farmers and promotes regenerative agriculture. They continue to fund infrastructure projects through Peru’s Works for Taxes program, including a new bridge for the district.
