The legally-binding agreement concerns key commitments the Hermosa project will adhere to Santa Cruz County, the City of Nogales, the Town of Patagonia and South32 have recognized a mutual interest in developing a Community Protection and Benefits Agreement relative to the responsible development of the Hermosa Project. The four parties are in informal talks and engaging an expert in such agreements to advise and support these discussions and, eventually, the drafting of an agreement. The parties are committed to provide periodic public notices of progress and to engaging community stakeholders for review and comment when a meaningful draft of the agreement framework has been developed. Additionally, this agreement may be periodically revisited and updated as deemed appropriate by the involved parties as community needs arise.
Separate from the Hermosa project’s Community Advisory Panel, a mutually-agreed-to Community Protection and Benefits Agreement will serve as a legally-binding agreement between South32 and local governments concerning key commitments the Hermosa project will adhere to as it develops and operates the site now and into the future. Key areas likely covered in such an agreement will include environmental monitoring metrics, transparency and collaboration efforts, community giving, and workforce development activities, among other areas.