Lookout Ridge Foundation, now registered both in Canada and the United States, makes it easier for mining companies to participate as part of their CSR programs.
At recent wheelchair distributions in Puebla, Veracruz and Oaxaca, Mexico, Holmes accompanied mining executives from Almaden Minerals Ltd. (AMM:TSX; AAU:NYSE) as they saw in person the human impact their contribution made in lives large and small.
Morgan Poliquin, CEO and president of Almaden Minerals, and his father and Almaden founder, Duane, were on-hand for the distribution and saw the emotional effect of lifting someone into a new wheelchair for the first time. "We have always worked with the communities in addition to creating wealth for investors," Poliquin said. "We have built schools, restrooms and contributed to infrastructure. But by working with a foundation that has built the philanthropy infrastructure, we were able to have a bigger impact for the same amount of money." Almaden Minerals is often asked for money from political leaders, but Poliquin would rather fill a direct need in the community and see the results. "This may be a simple thing to us, but it can be highly impactful to the recipients," he said. "The biggest impact we can make in the communities we work is to create wealth for all by finding a mine, our business mandate. We are not an aid organization, but while on the path to finding mines in Mexico we think that donating wheelchairs is a great way that our shareholders can help very deserving folks in need that we encounter on that journey."
Jeff Phillips, president of Global Market Development, a corporate consulting firm with ties to the mining industry, has supported the program for the last four years. "It is a great way for mining companies to give back to the community," he said. Phillips understands the importance of delivering help where it is needed most. He recently lost his four-year-old daughter, India, to disease and started a philanthropy in her name. He hoped his organization could add that human touch to the good community work being done by companies like Almaden Minerals. He went along on the trip to see the distribution and deliver the message, "India is looking out for you." For Phillips, the sight of the children and young adults who have suffered since childhood was deeply moving. "Even with the language barrier, the expressions on their faces when they settled into their new wheels said it all," Phillips said.
The beauty of working with junior mining companies to deliver the life-changing devices is that explorers go all over the world, including less-economically-advantaged countries and even if they don't find gold or silver, they leave behind something that makes a difference. The bonus is that these small acts of kindness can be the key to creating relationships with the people who matter in a region. Because the wheelchair distribution events are organized to bring communities together, mining executives get a rare chance to meet with everyone from the governor's wife to local politicians in a casual, positive setting. A lot of mining companies build soccer fields, classrooms and contribute to infrastructure projects. But the Lookout Ridge Foundation is a unique way to make a difference in a coordinated way.
Mike Nikiforuk, president of African Gold Group Inc. (AGG:TSX.V), was similarly touched when he heard about the cause. In the West African countries where he operates, little to no assistance is available through the government to people with disabilities. When his team attended the distribution in Mali, they witnessed a man who previously could only get around by dragging himself on his hands and knees or being pulled by family, take on a whole new view on the world now that he can move freely. "It was just the right thing to do," Nikiforuk said.
For former newsletter writer Bob Bishop, the impact of immobility is too real. He joined the distribution contingent fresh off a knee replacement surgery. "I had a taste of what it is like to not be able to move around freely so I appreciate the importance of putting 'feet' under these people." He described the makeshift methods used before the new wheelchairs arrived. Wheelbarrows, skateboards, broken wheelchairs or even dragging themselves on the ground were the norm. "This changes lives in a big way."
"It is also just good business for gold companies," Bishop said. He described philanthropy as part of a larger social contract that includes creating jobs, being environmentally responsible and working with local residents to allay their concerns. "Community relations is everything."
While mining companies can and do charitable work on their own, working with a Foundation allows companies with very different core competencies—finding and getting gold out of the ground—to tap into an operation with a proven infrastructure for delivering benefits. "Companies can do it on their own, but they are making it up as they go along. Experience does count and the Lookout Ridge Foundation has a track record that speaks for itself."
Bishop saw the good being delivered and plans to continue to buy wine from Lookout Ridge to fund the next distribution as the proceeds fund more wheelchair distributions.
Gordon Holmes hopes to grow the program in the coming years. "Helping these communities has always made sense to these people, but this particular type of hands-on interaction with the public can move them deeply and open their hearts to doing more," he said. Another distribution is planned in Mexico in March with Colombia and the Philippines to follow. Poliquin has already pledged that Almaden Minerals will be there to help.
For more information on participating, go to The Lookout Ridge Foundation.
Sponsoring Companies/People:
Colombia Crest Gold Corp. (CLB:TSX.V; EAT:FSE) – Colombia
Red Eagle Mining Corp. (RD:TSX.V) – Colombia
St. Augustine Gold and Copper Ltd. (SAU:TSX) – Philippines
Jeff Phillips and the India Phillips Foundation – Mexico
Almaden Minerals Ltd. (AMM:TSX; AAU:NYSE) – Mexico
Endeavour Silver Corp. (EDR:TSX; EXK:NYSE; EJD:FSE) – Mexico
Vista Gold Corp. (VGZ:NYSE.MKT; VGZ:TSX) – Mexico
Minefinders Corp. (MFL:TSX; MFN:NYSE) – Mexico
Great Panther Silver Ltd. (GPR:TSX; GPL:NYSE.MKT) – Mexico
Bob Bishop – Mexico
African Gold Group Inc. (AGG:TSX.V) – Ghana and Mali
Legend Gold Corp. (LGN:TSX.V) – Mali
Keegan Resources Inc. (KGN:TSX; KGN:NYSE.MKT) – Ghana and Mali
Disclosure:
From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned and may make purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise.
