BAMIN executive participates in Diversibram 2024

BAMIN was present at Diversibram 2024 – Diversity and Inclusion Week in Mining in Brazil, organized by the Brazilian Mining Institute (IBRAM). It was held online yesterday afternoon (19), the event featured talks and panels on actions to encourage diversity and inclusion in Brazil’s mining sector. Rosane Santos, Director of ESG, Environment, Community Relations and Corporate Communication at BAMIN, addressed the topic “How to boost women’s careers to occupy executive positions in mining”.

The executive spoke about the context of the strong complexities that black women deal with in senior leadership positions. “The fight for diversity and gender discourse is in all sectors. The difference lies in how we look at this challenge and how we overcome it. Racism and all the violence that is still going on is still reflected in our daily lives and any prospect we see of gender inclusion in social spaces has been the subject of much struggle,” says Rosane.

World Water Day warns of the importance of this natural resource

Water is an essential natural resource for human health and for nature. Responsible for maintaining the humidity of the air, supplying groundwater and preserving the life of fauna and flora, it also plays a fundamental role in agricultural activity, electricity generation and industries.

With the aim of alerting the population to the importance of preserving water resources and guaranteeing the survival of all ecosystems on the planet, the United Nations (UN) established World Water Day in 1993, celebrated on March 22. On this date, numerous initiatives are promoted to reflect on the issue.

In order to guarantee sufficient water quality and quantity for everyone, it’s important to turn some practices into habits, with simple actions that can make a difference, such as showering more quickly and turning off the tap while doing the dishes. Doing more laundry at once and cleaning the yard or sidewalk with a broom are other important tips to adopt.

As well as saving money, conscious water consumption can have a direct impact on people’s quality of life. Drinking water can prevent diseases such as kidney infections, help absorb nutrients in food and eliminate toxic substances from the body. Water also facilitates the digestion of meals and regulates body temperature, especially at this time of year with heat waves.

Where the tracks will pass: Contendas do Sincorá

With a population of 4,300 people, according to the latest Census, Contendas do Sincorá is among the 10 smallest towns in Bahia, ranking 412^th out of 417 municipalities. This also makes it the town with the smallest population to receive the tracks of the West-East Integration Railway (FIOL 1), a project being developed by BAMIN in the state.

But Contendas do Sincorá is proof that size is relative. Made up of a hospitable and resilient population, the municipality is only 62 years old and, even though it is young, it already has a rich history marked by progress. Until 1926, on the site of the town, there was only the Riachão farm. That same year, when excavations began for the tracks of the Viação Férrea Federal Leste Brasileiro, the first houses in the town were built.

In 1928, with the inauguration of that section of the railroad, disagreements arose between those responsible for the work as to where the station should be built. This feud gave rise to the name ″Contendas″, with which the population came to call the town. As it was bathed by the River Sincorá, it soon became Contendas do Sincorá. It was only elevated to the category of municipality in 1961, with territory dismembered from Ituaçu.

With an area of 977.455 km², the municipality has a National Forest, FLONA Contendas do Sincorá. Created in 1999, the area covers approximately 11,000 hectares, is situated in an area of the caatinga biome and is part of the Rio de Contas basin. Previously, it was known as Fazenda Extrema and its main activity was charcoal extraction. Today, with much of the flora and fauna already regenerated, it is a sustainable use unit managed by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation, which as well as conserving, has the mission of encouraging environmental education, making the site a reference in preservation.

The Elas por Elas Program was featured in the Valor Econômico newspaper on March 8, in the Women in Business special. On the occasion, BAMIN’s ESG director, Rosane Santos, spoke about encouraging the growth of female professionals in the company by sharing experiences and exchanging knowledge.

The Elas por Elas program encourages the growth of professionals at Bamin, which operates in Bahia, by sharing experiences and knowledge. “Some of Bamin’s top female leaders were given the mission of mentoring other female colleagues in structured meetings, where they could together set goals and a schedule for development and reflection on various topics in the professional world,” says Rosane Santos, ESG director at the company, where 25% of the team and 23% of the leadership are made up of women.

Where the tracks will pass: Itagibá

In the middle of the valleys of southwest Bahia lies Itagibá. Founded in 1931, the municipality is known for its stunning landscapes, full of natural beauty, and its rich fauna and flora. It is also one of the towns that will receive the tracks of the West-East Integration Railway (FIOL 1), which is being developed by BAMIN in the region.

With a population of just over 15,000 inhabitants, who are very welcoming and hospitable and proudly preserve their traditions and culture, Itagibá delights anyone who passes through. The town has traditional festivals, such as São João, which brings together locals and tourists in a lively celebration, with typical food, dancing and live music.

The town is also known for having one of the largest open-pit nickel sulphide mines in the world: the Santa Rita mine. The mine’s annual processing capacity is estimated at 6.5 million metric tons of ore, which makes up the lithium-ion batteries used mainly by electric car manufacturers.

As far as tourist attractions are concerned, Itagibá offers several options for visitors, especially for those seeking contact with nature. Highlights include the waterfalls scattered throughout the countryside, the trails along the banks of the Rio do Peixe and the bike rides, which allow for stops at special points, such as the Maria Gorethi Mother Church and the Vaqueiro Park.

The climate is similar to the other municipalities in the region, tropical humid, with high temperatures all year round. However, as it is a well-wooded town with many squares, it is possible to enjoy the attractions, do outdoor activities and explore everything Itagibá has to offer in any season.

Photo: City Hall

BAMIN Causes

The health benefits of physical activity are numerous. But as well as improving quality of life, sport has a direct impact on the workplace. Even more so when it comes to practicing a team sport, where important values and skills are developed, such as leadership, teamwork and communication. José Carlos Valle, Land and Territory Management Coordinator for the implementation of FIOL 1, is an example of this.

Passionate about water sports since childhood, when he started swimming in pools to control bronchitis, José Carlos has practiced open water swimming, kayaking and standup paddle. In 2023, he got to know Hawaiian canoeing, a group activity in which all the participants paddle together in a small boat, which has become increasingly popular in the city of Salvador. So much so that in January of this year, he started practicing the sport and hasn’t stopped since.

“I already had experience with other paddling activities, but when I started practicing the Hawaiian canoe I fell in love. Unlike other water sports, where you do almost everything on your own, Hawaiian canoeing is a collective activity. We go into the water with at least six people. It’s real teamwork. It requires a great deal of synchrony between the participants,” says José Carlos, who trains every Friday in Baia de Todos os Santos.

“Our activities take place in very calm waters, so the experience is super relaxed. It’s leisure mixed with anti-stress. During the practice we also enjoy an incredible and unique view. That’s why, whenever possible, I invite my friends and colleagues to take part. Can you imagine us forming a BAMIN Hawaiian canoe team one day?” says the Coordinator, who is already joined by BAMIN’s Mining Law Specialist, Francisco Abreu.

José Carlos says that the experience provided by the sport is carried over into his day-to-day work: “Just like in Hawaiian canoeing, I’m not alone. I’m part of a team, where we need to collaborate with each other. For us to succeed in our activities, it’s important to be in sync, just like in rowing. With everyone doing the same job, with the same goal, we will achieve the objectives and better results,” he concludes.

Coopercicli celebrates 15 years with environmental education blitz

Raising public awareness of the best way to dispose of waste in a conscious manner. This was the purpose of the environmental education blitz carried out by the Caetité Selective Collection Cooperative (Coopercicli) on the anniversary of 15 years of selective collection, which took place last Monday (19).

Promoted by BAMIN, through the Circuito do Lixo project, which is in line with conditions LXVII, LXXII and XXV of the Implementation and Operation Licenses, the cooperative made up of recyclable material collectors promotes selective collection and environmental education actions, generating employment, income, inclusion and improving the quality of life of the cooperative members.

As part of the celebration, the members carried out an environmental education blitz in Praça da Catedral, in the center of Caetité, with the distribution of information material such as booklets, rubbish bins and fridge magnets with messages encouraging the population to commit to awareness, preservation, environmental conservation and the importance of separating waste correctly. They also showed educational and institutional videos and played educational games with the people who attended the event.

“We’re delighted with this action by Coopercicli, which has become a benchmark in selective waste collection in the state of Bahia, not least because it shows that we all need to collaborate with the environment, understanding that we are part of it. Collective construction is fundamental,” says BAMIN’s Community Relations coordinator, Ana Paula Dias.

The president of Coopercicli, Edilene Luiza Oliveira, emphasizes the importance of BAMIN in waste management processes and in the development of cooperative members. “The Circuito do Lixo project has made and continues to make a difference to the cooperative and also to the lives of many families. I feel very grateful for everything that has been done,” she explains.

At a stand set up by the cooperative, people were given a seedling of a plant native to the region in exchange for five pet bottles as a way of preventing the material from being disposed of irregularly in the environment.

In 2023, Coopercicli reached the historic milestone of more than 3 million tons of recyclable waste collected in Caetité since the project began. In the same year, around 250 tons of recyclable waste were sold and more than 40 events, including fairs and lectures, were held with the direct participation of students from public and private schools, as well as the community, to promote environmental education.

Women’s health and cervical cancer prevention

According to the National Cancer Institute (INCA), cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women and the fourth leading cause of death among women in Brazil. Against this backdrop, in March, the month in which International Women’s Day is celebrated, the Lilac March campaign is held to raise awareness of the importance of preventing the disease.

Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with certain types of the Human Papillomavirus – HPV. Genital infection by these viruses is very common and most of the time does not cause disease. They are sexually transmitted and can cause lesions in the vagina, cervix, penis and anus.

However, in some cases, cellular changes occur which can develop into cancer. These changes are easily discovered in the preventive examination, also known as the Pap smear, and are curable in most cases. That’s why it’s important to have regular preventive examinations.

Currently, the main way of preventing the disease is the HPV vaccine, available for girls aged 9 to 14 and boys aged 11 to 14, through the Unified Health System (SUS), which can prevent 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. Another way to prevent the disease is to reduce the risk of HPV infection, which occurs sexually, by using condoms during intercourse.

In video, BAMIN honors female employees for International Women’s Day

BAMIN presented a video tribute to International Women’s Day this Friday, the 8^th, to reinforce the fact that together women move the world and to pay tribute to the inspiring career of its female employees. The video features testimonials from women who are part of the company’s history and exemplify the importance of women’s presence in building a more welcoming and inclusive BAMIN, through programs such as Elas por Elas, mentoring women for women, and Welcoming Pack with the Mother’s Space.

Click here and watch the video.

Where the tracks will pass: Jequié

Jequié is one of Bahia’s main municipalities. Located 365 kilometers from Salvador, the city is in a strategic position in the southwest of the state. With almost 160,000 inhabitants, its economy is based on livestock and agriculture. It is also where BAMIN maintains one of its inland bases and will be one of the municipalities that will receive the tracks of the West-East Integration Railway (FIOL 1).

In recent years, the city has made important progress on a number of fronts, from health with the Prado Valadares General Hospital, which has become a reference for around 30 municipalities in the region, to culture, with the consolidation of the city’s São João Festival among the biggest events in the state. At the moment, however, the attention of the people of Jequié is almost entirely focused on the Jequié Sports Association.

This is the city’s soccer team, which reached the semi-finals of this year’s Bahian Championship and will face Bahia. Whatever happens in the match against the traditional club from the capital, Jequié has already made history. To reach this stage of the competition, they finished fourth overall in qualifying, with 14 points from 9 games. They also broke the taboo and won the BAVI double for the first time: 1-0 against Bahia in Fonte Nova, and repeated the scoreline against Vitória on their home turf, to the delight of their fans, who usually fill the Waldomiro Borges Municipal Stadium, the Waldomirão.

Compliance begins visits and training sessions with employees

BAMIN, through its Compliance department, began a series of training sessions for its employees in February. The aim of the initiative is to reinforce the company’s standards, codes of conduct and internal policies on compliance and stakeholder relations. As in past years, in addition to visits to all units with face-to-face meetings, gamification and post-training interviews are also planned.

“We want to further strengthen BAMIN’s compliance issues. The idea is to demonstrate how important these issues are, reinforcing our principles and values and enabling the entire team to understand and disseminate our organization’s Compliance culture,” says Sandro Oliveira, the company’s general manager for Compliance. “Through visits and the presence of Compliance, we hope to reinforce our principles and values even more, engaging our team even more,” he adds.

The first topic covered by the area was the Code of Conduct. According to the agenda, visits and training sessions will be held between now and April to deal with Emotional Intelligence, linked to bullying and inappropriate behavior, as well as relations with politically exposed people and government institutions.

In a second phase, conflict of interest, business ethics and conscious use of data and the internet (Data Protection and LGPD) will also be covered in the training sessions. Finally, in the second half of the year, the company’s Compliance department will deal with the topics of fraud, money laundering and corruption, social and corporate responsibility, and human rights.

Where the tracks will pass: Itagi

Located about 50 kilometers from Jequié, the municipality of Itagi stands out for the tranquility and hospitality of its people. Known as the ‘City of Waters’, due to the countless rivers that run through it and the beautiful waterfalls that form on its lands, Itagi is a perfect place for those looking for a refuge away from the big cities. It is also one of the municipalities that will receive the tracks of the West-East Integration Railway (FIOL 1).

Among the main attractions and activities to enjoy in Itagi are the Bonita Waterfall on the Rio da Preguiça and the Rio das Pedras Waterfall. As well as enjoying the beauty of the waterfalls, it is possible to bathe and even camp around them. Boat trips on the Rio das Contas are also a good option for relaxing and enjoying the natural beauty of the municipality of approximately 14,000 inhabitants, according to the latest Census.

Another way to connect with nature in Itagi is via hiking trails, where you can observe the diversity of the local fauna and flora, enjoy the beautiful scenery and breathe in the fresh air. One of the main trails is Pedra do Itagi, which is a steep walk full of obstacles, taking visitors to the top of the rock and offering a panoramic view of the whole city.

As well as ecotourism, the local economy is also driven by the production of cocoa, one of Bahia’s main agricultural products. Itagi has numerous cocoa plantations. Some of them are open to visitors, offering the opportunity to learn about the entire production process, from growing the trees to making chocolate, as well as tasting and buying local products.