The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes the most difficult health challenge in the history of our country, affecting above all the most vulnerable population. Therefore, mining companies teamed up with authorities in the fight against this disease, contributing with different actions in the areas of their extractive operations, as analyzed in previous "Rumbo a PERUMIN" (Heading to PERUMIN) conferences.

One of these companies was Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, which from the very start took on the commitment to support the population of Arequipa and the rest of the country. Some of its most important contributions were the co-financing of the logistical expenses of the first shipment of vaccines purchased by the State, which allowed the transfer of one million vaccines; likewise, it participated together with other companies associated with the National Society of Mining, Oil and Energy (SNMPE), in the weekly supply of 1,000 tons of medicinal oxygen to the country's hospitals.

As part of its strategy to strengthen the Arequipa Health sector, the mining company delivered to the regional authorities an oxygen plant for the Hospital Honorio Delgado, with a nominal production capacity of 720 m3 per day, which was complemented with the donation of 390 oxygen cylinders, regulating valves and accessories to two hospitals and health centers.

Similarly, Cerro Verde provided the Arequipa Regional Laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment to increase the number of molecular tests. It also contributed by purchasing half a million COVID-19 diagnostic kits through the SNMPE.

Another of the contributions made was focused on guaranteeing biosafety measures for health professionals, financing for 6 months their transportation to hospitals and health centers in Arequipa.

Furthermore, in order to mitigate the effects of the pandemic in the agricultural sector, Cerro Verde developed a reactivation plan that provided assistance and technical support to 1,340 farmers, who received 2,901 kilos of seeds (12 different crop varieties) and equipment such as power tillers, seeders and threshers. Likewise, traveling fairs were organized that allowed 130,500 visitors to buy agricultural products, complying with all health protocols and reactivating the sector’s economy.