Diaguita Memorandum of Understanding

PASCUA-LAMA
Diaguita Memorandum of Understanding
On May 29, 2014, Barrick announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a group of 12 Diaguita communities and three
Diaguita associations in Chile’s Huasco province, where the company’s Pascua-Lama project is located.
While a number of these Diaguita communities have supported legal challenges against the project in Chile, the MoU marks a
significant step forward in establishing dialogue and working to build trust with this important stakeholder group.
As part of the agreement, Barrick will make technical and environmental information about the Pascua-Lama project available to the
communities and will provide financial resources and materials required to support analysis of this information. This approach is in
line with the company’s commitment to engage with stakeholders in an open and transparent manner, while allowing the communities
to study and better understand the project, its impacts and its environmental controls. Under the agreement, a technical committee
comprised of representatives selected by the MoU signatories will oversee the work. An independent mediator has also been appointed.
Who are the Diaguita?
The Diaguita were officially recognized as a distinct indigenous
group by the Chilean government in 2006. They are a diverse
people living throughout northern Chile, with no single
representative body. According to official Chilean government
data, as of March 31, 2014, there were more than 8,000
recognized Diaguita and 22 organized Diaguita communities in
Huasco province. Most of the recognized Diaguita in the province
are not members of organized communities. Other residents of
the province self-identify as Diaguita but have not sought
government recognition.
Which Diaguita groups are part of the MoU?
Twelve of the 22 organized Diaguita communities in Huasco
province have signed the MoU with Barrick, as have three Diaguita
associations from the area. These groups represent roughly 60
percent of the organized Diaguita communities in the province.
Huasco Valley, Chile
Recognized Diaguita communities typically share common
ancestry, land and leadership. Diaguita communities currently
participating in the MoU include:
 Tatul Los Perales
 Chiguinto
 Chanchoquin Chico
 Chipasse Ashpa
 Pacul de la Arena
 Chipasse Ta Tatara
 Sierra de Huachacan
 Cerro Bayo de Punta Negra
 Placeta
 Yastai de Juntas de
Valeriano
 Paypaten de Chanchoquin
Grande
 Los Morados
Pascua-Lama – Diaguita Memorandum of Understanding Fact Sheet
Barrick will continue to work with local communities around the
Pascua-Lama project to establish dialogue and build greater trust
with a focus on transparent and open communication.
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Diaguita associations are usually formed based on shared educational and cultural
objectives, but may not be tied to one physical community. Diaguita associations
currently participating in the MoU include:
 Asociación Indigena Diaguita Concejo Comunal Diaguita de Guascoalto
 Asociación Indigena Diaguita Rio Huasco
 Asociación Indigena Diaguita Chipasse Ta Maricunga
The MoU remains open to additional Diaguita communities and associations who
had recognized status at the time of the signing of the MoU.
Are the Huascoaltinos part of this agreement?
The Huascoaltino Diaguita Agricultural Community (Comunidad Agrícola Diaguita Los
Huascoaltinos) is not a party to the MoU. This community is not among the 22 recognized
indigenous Diaguita communities in Huasco province because they are organized as an
Agricultural Community under Chilean legislation. Prior to the Pascua-Lama project’s
approval, members of this agricultural community participated in public consultations as
The MoU marks a significant step forward in
establishing dialogue and working to build
trust with Diaguita stakeholder groups.
part of the project’s extensive stakeholder engagement process. While members of this
community have objected to the MoU and are opposed to the Pascua-Lama project,
Barrick remains open to engagement with the Huascoaltinos on issues of concern to them.
Next Steps
Barrick will continue to work with local communities around the Pascua-Lama project to establish dialogue and build greater trust
with a focus on transparent and open communication.
For more information on the Pascua-Lama project, please visit: Barrick.com
Pascua-Lama – Diaguita Memorandum of Understanding Fact Sheet
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