Las Bambas taxes are funding the US$3.3 million reconstruction of the largest Mara district secondary school, benefiting 276 students in the Cotabambas province, Apurímac region.

Carlos Castro, Las Bambas Corporate Affairs Manager, explained how paying taxes in advance hastens local infrastructure investment projects and brings regional advantages.

“The initiative is part of a group of projects related to the commitment the mine operation has undertaken to assist with the development of Cotabambas, improving local communities’ quality of life. Thanks to the ‘Works in Exchange for Taxes method (WxT)’, we will be able to reconstruct more schools in the area,” he said.

Under the WxT method, the Ministry of Education awarded the financing for the comprehensive reconstruction of the CEMA Mara Secondary School. It is the second WxT work program that MMG Las Bambas has funded and its first education sector build.

School headmaster, Silvio Escalante, stressed the importance of quality infrastructure that includes appropriately provisioned bathrooms. “The reconstruction of the classrooms is something that parents and the community wished for. This vision has now been realised. The school will help our students to improve their learning outcomes,” he said.

The scope of the 14-month project includes constructing and equipping 11 classrooms comprising three laboratories, shops, a library, a sports facility, and 15 differentiated bathrooms for teachers, boys, girls, and disabled persons as well as dressing rooms.

The technical specifications and overall project works will be prepared and carried out by a company selected and contracted by Las Bambas. The National Program of Educational Infrastructure of the Ministry of Education is overseeing and approving the works.