At 3,800 meters above sea level is the Lindero mine, the first gold mining in Salta inaugurated Governor Gustavo Saenz with the President and CEO of Fortuna Silver Mines INC., Jorge Alberto Ganoza, the General Manager of Mansfield Minera SA, Wilber Zamora and the Minister of Productive Development Matías Kulfas. Canada’s Ambassador to the Argentine Republic, Reid Douglas Sirrs, was also present.

“I celebrate this milestone for the Salta Mining Company, especially as it was the first gold mine in the history of our province. This very significant achievement in terms of development, technology, economic growth and local progress, allowed gold to become the 2nd most exported product of our Province in a single year of exploitation, contributing to 18% of our exports”, underlined the Governor. during the act.

Referring to the real possibility of diversifying the provincial productive and export matrix, Sáenz said that this is possible because from the beginning of his mandate he has deepened the axes of Salta’s mining policy: “Legal certainty, clear rules , willingness to dialogue with the investor, with the premise of “producing by conserving and conserving by producing” because we know that our blessed land must be maintained and respected by all”, he added.

The Governor also referred to the articulated work that enables socio-economic development, guaranteeing real sources of work, quality training, the supply chain, the generation of technological innovation.

“Today this project has already integrated 70% of Salta’s workforce and we hope it will continue to grow,” Sáenz said, referring to the nearly 950 direct and indirect jobs created.

“We have the challenge of building together public policies applicable to the mining sector that are participatory, that energize and promote the development of local economies, create new sources of real jobs and that these efforts lead to the improvement of living conditions of the people. all residents, especially those living near mining projects,” Sáenz concluded.

The managing director of Mansfield Minera SA reviewed the history of the project and said that “almost three decades have passed since we started this adventure and today, after a long and exciting journey, it is already a reality”.

Noting that out of “a thousand exploration projects, one could become a mine,” Zamora pointed out that Lindero is the first such mine in Salta that has managed to produce over 1,500 ounces of gold so far. , making it the second largest export. . big in the province “We still have about 14 years ahead of us, with significant growth potential,” he said.

Finally, he thanked the support of the Kolla community, municipal, provincial and national governments for their support.

Minister Kulfas praised the project, “a production that generates wealth and progress for all”. He also underlined the company’s many years of trajectory “which has not given up, which demonstrates its responsibility; work seriously with sustainable production, with commitment to the community, environmentally conscious, supplier development. In short, to contribute to the economic and social development of Salta and Argentina.” The Mayor of Tolar Grande, Sergio Villanueva, highlighted the joint work carried out with the company, which is “an example of public-private articulation and has enabled the sustainable progress of our communities. »