The quality of life of the populations of Moquegua and Tacna improved notably, thanks to the socio-economic contribution of mining companies such as Southern Peru, which allowed the advancement of some indicators such as the Human Development Index (HDI), in these regions of southern Peru.

This was pointed out by Irma Potes, director of Community Development of Grupo México, at the conference "Competitiveness and Sustainability Development With Sense", during the second day of Heading to PERUMIN, organized by the Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers (IIMP).

"We work to increase the well-being of the communities near our operations. Our community development model is based on co-responsibility and permanent dialogue", said the Grupo México representative.

Potes said that currently the regions of Tacna and Moquegua occupy the first places at the national level, according to the latest 2020 Human Development report of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Moquegua ranks number 2, only behind Lima; Tacna is ranked number 5, behind Arequipa; furthermore, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI), both have the lowest levels of extreme poverty in the country with less than 2.70%.

Southern Peru owns mining operations such as Toquepala in Tacna, and Cuajone and the Ilo refinery in Moquegua, thus contributing significantly to the distribution and impact of these resources.

The representative of Grupo México also pointed out that from 2000 to 2020, Tacna received S/ 6.087 billion in mining royalties, while Moquegua received S/ 5.365 billion.

"In 2020 we have been one of the companies that have paid the most taxes in Peru; therefore, we feel committed to see how these taxes are spent effectively," said the executive.

Furthermore, Southern Peru is also working on a sustainable development model in its operations for the well-being of the communities and the care of the environment. The company has managed to reduce water consumption in Mexico and Peru, using 74% recycled water in 2020, after investing in infrastructure and technologies to make its water management more efficient.

"We seek to create value and improve people's lives through sustainable operations. Our community development model is based on co-responsibility and permanent dialogue," she said.