Compañía Minera Cerro Colorado (CMCC) is located in an area of Indigenous development called Jiwasa Oraje, which is home to nine Indigenous communities of the Quechua and Aymara ethnic groups. In 2013, CMCC submitted a project for environmental assessment to extend the life of the operation from 2016 to 2023.

The CMCC Operational Continuity project provided a framework for ensuring the rights of Indigenous peoples in the consultation process and an opportunity to build stronger relationships with the community. A critical part of the project was the participation and dialogue process, which laid the foundation for building CMCC’s relationship with Indigenous communities.

By taking a bilateral approach to consultation, CMCC successfully established Opportunity Agreements with each Indigenous community organisation that provide long-term funds for development. This laid the foundation for community relations, improved stakeholder relationships and was a key factor in obtaining the operational continuity permit.