Fundamental to U3O8 Corp’s commitment to responsible exploration is working with the communities near the exploration projects to create sustainable and tangible long-term benefits. Not only do we provide employment, together with the community, we identify key areas in which we can work jointly for improvement.
Nutrition
Central Vegetable Gardens – to promote healthy diet, self-sufficiency, training on nutritious food selection and preparation and cooking of the produce. Members of the community work in the garden and share in the vegetables produced. After the practical experience of sowing, fertilizing and plant care, applying pest control measures (mainly by bio-control) and crop rotation, individuals move out of the program for others to take part. The community is encouraged to create their own home vegetable gardens and help is provided with setup and maintenance.
Vermiculture Program – organic waste from the gardens and exploration camp is composted by earthworms. The compost is used on the vegetable gardens and excess worms are used to feed fish and chickens.
Aquiculture – production of tilapia from ponds built on private properties provides a sustainable source of quality protein. A serving of tilapia provides about 26g or 52% of the daily value of protein.
Health
Wellness initiatives – Sponsor local basketball and football teams and tournaments, support local festivals, contributing to children’s activities.
Health care initiatives – We have successfully eradicated malaria from our exploration camp in Guyana. We are seeking advice and guidance on to how to deal with leishmaniasis in Colombia.
Health care initiatives – Transport for nurse to reach outlying communities, outreach programs and education on the control of tropical-related health issues/diseases.
Wellness initiatives – Fitness classes for seniors, personal development workshops.
Water Quality
Improving potable water quality – Land has been purchased in the headwaters of the stream that supplies a community’s potable water. Removal of livestock and planting selected native species have led to a marked increase in water quality.
Education
Adult literacy class – Set up adult classes for grades 6-9 in Berlin Village, Colombia.
New school kitchen – Updating school facilities for a supportive learning environment.
Kindergarten and children nursery – Started nurseries to support working families in the Berlin Project in Colombia. Obtained government approvals to hire teachers and trained staff.
Information meetings, site visits – Workshops, information sessions and briefings with residents, community leaders and authorities as well as site visits and school trips to provide information on exploration, uranium and the projects.
Training and supplies – Initiatives and tools to support local teacher education, school books and supplies, computers and training; provided Internet service for use with computers supplied to the community by the government.
Agricultural Development Initiatives
Trial vegetable garden – Working with government and private enterprise agronomists to assist with crop selection and production techniques suitable for the area near the projects. We aim to encourage development of self-sufficiency and sustainable small business and co-operative ventures.
Support for State Social Programs
Training on new crops – Facilitate access to instructors and courses from government learning institutes (eg. Colombia’s National Learning Service or Agricultural Institute); help residents write business plans to access government grants for community projects.
Local Employment
Camp housing and workers provided by the local community – The majority of U3O8 Corp’s exploration teams – from geologists, technicians, field staff to administrative and camp support – come from within the country in which the projects are located including nearby communities. In Guyana for example, over 85% of our employees are from Guyana, with >65% from the local Amerindian community. In Argentina, the camp housing, food services and backhoe equipment for exploration are supplied by landowners and farmers. In Colombia, our team is entirely Colombian, supplemented by people from the local communities.
