British companies excelled at PERUMIN 2013 mining fair
Peru remains a top priority for British investment in mining and good environmental practices.
British companies have attended the PERUMIN mining fair under a unified UK Pavillion since 2003; this year, their presence at the 31st fair in the southern city of Arequipa was used as a platform to do business and to reinforce their ties with counterparts in the sector.
Under the This is GREAT banner, British and partly British-owned companies such as Amec, Invensys, Aveva, Alex Stewart, Alfred H. Knight Group, ProAmbient and Permastore showcased the best of British expertise at the International Pavillion. Other British and partly British-owned companies such as Anglo American, Glencore Xstrata, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton were also present at PERUMIN with their own stands , receiving dozens of visitors each day.
“I believe companies such as Anglo American, Glencore Xstrata, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton are playing key roles in this country,” said British Ambassador James Dauris. “All of them are great investors and leaders in the field of responsible environmental practices. They are also committed to high standards of corporate social responsibility.”
HMA Dauris also highlighted companies such as Anglo American and Glencore Xstrata which have joined the initiative of Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, established by the UK and the US governments in 2000. The Peruvian Government has agreed to respect these Principles and to promote best security practices within the mining industry; the British government is working with the Peruvian government to discuss their application. The UK will assume the presidency of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights initiative, which is currently held by Switzerland, in 2014,
The PERUMIN fair took place in the southern Peruvian city of Arequipa, from 16 – 20 September, and was organised by the Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers. The 2013 exhibition had a total of 2,213 booths, 64% more than the previous year. More than 90,000 mining entrepreneurs and professionals from 40 different countries attended the event.
The British Embassy in Lima provided support to British companies during PERUMIN. HMA Dauris visited the British pavilion and spoke with representatives from each company. He also held interviews with national business outlets Gestión and Semana Económica to promote British investment, spoke about the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights at an Embassy organised conference and hosted a special cocktail night for businessmen and local authorities at Club de Arequipa, the city’s most prestigious social institution.