A UK delegation from the Biodiversity Fund for Landscape (BLF) is currently in Guatemala to assess the progress of its projects aimed at protecting biodiversity, reducing poverty, and addressing climate change. The delegation, led by Roger Heath, Senior Responsible Owner of the BLF and 30×30, and Samuel Leigh, Regional Advisor for Mesoamerica and Andes Amazon, will meet with government representatives, implementing partners, civil society, and participate in field visits to Peten and Chiquimula. Rachel Wilson, Team Leader of the BLF’s Fund Management team at Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC), will also join the delegation. On October 7, the delegation will meet with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the leader of the BLF consortium in Guatemala, to discuss project progress and upcoming activities. In Guatemala, the BLF is working in Peten and Chiquimula to implement projects aligned with Guatemalan environmental priorities until 2029. The UK delegation will also meet with representatives from the Ministry of Environment, the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss Guatemala’s support for the BLF and explore future interventions to address environmental pressures, such as the loss of flora and fauna in the Mayan Jungle and the prevention of forest fires…
Nokia announced today it has been selected by the Brazilian Network Information Center (NIC.br), the world’s largest internet exchange point (IXP) operator, to significantly enhance Brazil’s internet infrastructure. Nokia’s cutting-edge IP routing solutions will directly support NIC.br’s mission of strengthening the interconnectedness and overall reliability of the Brazilian internet ecosystem. This collaboration comes at a critical juncture for Brazil, which anticipates a massive surge in internet data traffic. Projections suggest the number of users will reach 218.5 million, and data traffic will exceed 50 terabits per second (Tb/s) within the next five years. NIC.br plays a vital role in Brazil’s internet landscape. They oversee various initiatives, including registering and maintaining the .br domain and operating the Brazilian Internet Exchange (IX.br). IX.br facilitates data traffic exchange between over 3,500 autonomous systems (AS) encompassing internet service providers, content providers, hosting services, hyperscalers, and other network operators. Julio Sirota, IX.br Infrastructure Manager at NIC.br, said: “Nokia is a trusted and strategic partner for us, as they have proven their ability to deliver state-of-the-art network solutions that match our needs and expectations. By upgrading our network infrastructure with Nokia’s routing platforms, we will be able to provide faster and more reliable internet connectivity for…
Marimaca Copper Corp. is pleased to announce the appointment of Oscar Valenzuela as Vice President, Project and Alexis Muñoz as Vice President, Project Execution. These appointments strengthen Marimaca Copper’s leadership team as the company advances its development strategy. Mr. Valenzuela brings over 35 years of experience in executive development and operational leadership roles in the mining industry. Prior to joining Marimaca, he served as Director of Projects for Capstone Copper and held senior positions at Mantos Copper, Anglo American, and Glencore. Mr. Muñoz has over 29 years of experience in the construction and execution of large-scale mining projects. He most recently served as Construction and Commissioning Manager for Capstone’s Mantoverde Development Project. Prior to that, he held leadership roles at Collahuasi and BHP. Hayden Locke, President & CEO of Marimaca Copper, commented: “We are excited to welcome Oscar and Alexis to the Marimaca Team. Oscar brings an enormous amount of experience in executive operational leadership in Chile which will be critical during the next phase of our development strategy. Alexis brings deep execution experience across major, and relevant, mining projects, and he represents an important addition to our Owners Team as we move toward the development of the MOD. People…
Photo credit: © UNESCO / M. Etchegoyen Huawei announced the implementation stage of the Technology-enabled Open Schools for All Phase II project at Digital Learning Week, UNESCO’s flagship event on digital education. The initiative aims to support the digital transformation of education in Brazil, Egypt, and Thailand through innovative open school models. Building upon the successes of Phase I in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Ghana, Phase II will focus on establishing flexible, resilient, inclusive, and quality learning environments that blend offline and online learning. The project will leverage technology innovations and human capabilities to create a transformative educational experience. The announcement was made during the Technology-enabled Open Schools for All Forum hosted by UNESCO and Huawei. Distinguished guests included education ministers from Egypt, Ghana, and other participating countries, as well as representatives from UNESCO and Huawei. “In Egypt, we have embarked on a transformative journey in education rooted in the belief that technology is not just a tool but a catalyst for unlocking potential, nurturing creativity, and expanding opportunities for both educators and learners. The success of the first phase of this project is a testament to the dedication of our educators and partners,” said H. E. Mohamed Abdel-Latif, Minister of…
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is undertaking significant improvements to the water supply and sanitation infrastructure in Kwakwani, benefiting over 7,000 residents. GWI CEO, Shaik Baksh, led a recent site assessment to evaluate the community’s water treatment plant, storage facilities, and sanitation network. The assessment highlighted the need for increased water supply and improved distribution, as well as the urgent need to address sanitation challenges. To enhance water distribution, GWI will work closely with the Kwakwani Utilities Incorporated (KUI) to gather essential data on production, storage, and consumption. This information will inform the development of an improvement plan to optimize water supply and quality. In the realm of sanitation, GWI’s CReW+ project is making substantial progress. The project includes clearing blockages in the aging sewerage network, repairing damaged chambers, constructing new septic tanks, and implementing tertiary treatment to improve wastewater quality. Additionally, the project will support the community’s secondary school by upgrading its waste-to-energy facility. GWI remains committed to providing reliable water and sanitation services to all Guyanese. The company is investing approximately GY$35 million in Kwakwani to improve the lives of its residents.
Ero Copper Corp. (TSX: ERO, NYSE: ERO) (“Ero” or the “Company”) has announced a significant milestone at its Tucumã Project with the production of saleable copper concentrate, exceeding initial production targets. This achievement follows the successful commissioning of the milling and flotation operations in Q2 2024. The Company has made rapid progress in bringing the Tucumã Project online, with key milestones achieved throughout the year, including: Ero is now focused on completing remaining surface installations and ramping up operations to achieve commercial production levels by the end of Q3 2024. This involves reaching 80% of design mill capacity and 80% of design recovery rates. “Producing our first saleable copper concentrate at the Tucumã Project and successfully completing the first 24-hour shift of continuous mining and milling operations are important milestones as we begin our ramp-up towards commercial production,” said David Strang, Chief Executive Officer. “We are rapidly progressing towards an important inflection point for our consolidated copper production and cash flows. It is an exciting time for the Company and with copper prices performing well year-to-date, the timing of the completion and ramp-up of Tucumã could not be better. “I would like to extend my congratulations to our entire team,…
From July 14 to 16, 2024, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, visited Central America and announced $35.75 million in development funding and $5.4 million in humanitarian funding, met with counterparts and saw first-hand the impact of Canadian development projects in Guatemala and Honduras. Minister Hussen began his program in Guatemala with a visit to a migrant and refugee assistance centre, where he heard from representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Guatemalan Red Cross and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), as well as from local authorities and migrants about the challenges migrants face in their journeys. These partners protect and improve the living conditions of women and girls affected by migration and forced displacement, through services ranging from immediate health and protection services to help for starting local businesses. At Guatemala City’s San Juan de Dios Hospital, accompanied by representatives of Guatemala’s Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance and the Tula Foundation, Minister Hussen saw Tula’s Kawok digital health platform in action. Kawok supports community health workers, nurses, doctors, supervisors and epidemiologists in their daily work. The Tula Kawok digital health platform provides community-level care in remote regions and monitors thousands of pregnant…
