Living in one of the world’s longest standing mining jurisdictions, many Colombians have not historically benefitted from the country’s extractive resources. Outdated government structures and opaque decision-making processes have created barriers between citizens and the sector. Since 2015, Comunica has worked with policymakers and local communities to apply new technology and approaches to age-old problems – improving the lives of Colombians, with a focus on the poor, vulnerable and women.

“Comunica” is the Building Extractive Sector Governance in Colombia project, funded by Global Affairs Canada. Pictured above, apprentices at Colombia’s National Learning Service (SENA) demonstrate the use of water monitoring equipment in Meta.

WATCH Transforming Lives – Comunica’s Story

“Legal mining is the only one that generates benefits and it is here where I thank Comunica for betting on this great project, a transformative project that is definitely helping us to change the face (of the mining sector),” said Sandra Sandoval, Vice-Minister of Mines, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Government of Colombia.

On May 31, 2021, Comunica officially came to a close. Leaders in the Government of Colombia attended the virtual closing event hosted by Alinea, alongside more than 100 key stakeholders, partners, beneficiaries, staff and technical experts from across Colombia and Canada.

In her opening address, Comunica Project Director Shantel Jordison shared what she observed as being unique to Comunica and, ultimately, its success: 1. The strength of the working relationship between the project and Government of Colombia; 2. The trust between the project and communities, and by extension between communities and extractive sector; and 3. The impact of the project on advancing gender equality in the mining sector.

“Over the last six years, we’ve been so happy to work side-by-side with communities and government decision-makers in Colombia to make the extractive sector yield better environmental, social and economic outcomes for everyday Colombians,” said Jordison. “Especially for those who have been historically excluded from sharing the many benefits from the sector.”

Working towards SDG 13

Improving climate and environmental outcomes underscored many of Comunica’s activities. The project approached natural resource management through an environmentally sustainable framework, with a key contribution towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 being an improvement to transparent and evidence-based decision making within key government institutions. At the national level, Comunica introduced the principle of environmental cost assessment, including a specialized protocol for the valuation of environmental costs.

Three target communities now have mercury elimination strategies, including gender-sensitive tools, as well as options for replacing the use of mercury to minimize economic impact. Comunica also strengthened participatory water monitoring networks across the country.

First Women in Mining Empowerment Meeting, March 2020

Achieving an e-government milestone

The launch of AnnA Mineria in 2020 marked a significant achievement for the project. AnnA Mineria is an online integrated digital mining management platform that facilitates transparent and responsible management of the country’s natural resources. In the platform’s first three months of operation, more than 16,600 users registered and the system received 8,000 applications for mining concessions. This translated into $250M CAD of new investment committed by the private sector to new mining projects in Colombia. There are now more than 25,000 users in the system.

“AnnA Mineria is a system that has managed to positively impact the mining sector in terms of transparency, efficiency and trust,” said Juan Miguel Duran, President of the National Mining Agency. “We have developed a webservice that has allowed the financial system to access mining information in this system.”

In December 2020, AnnA Mineria received a #LatamDigital Award as one of the best digital transformation projects in the category of best government support for digital SMEs.

Learning today for tomorrow

As with all Alinea projects, achieving lasting change was central to Comunica. The project delivered a 100-hour diploma course with the National University of Colombia, as well as a variety of courses covering local economic development, water monitoring, elimination of mercury use and gender approach for the mining and energy sector.

Prior to the project, mining contracts spent two years in processing. Collaborative efforts between Comunica and government partners reduced this timeframe to 177 days while also increasing transparency.

“Working in communities in the Antioquia, Meta and Putumayo regions of the country, we set out to improve the socioeconomic conditions of Colombians,” said Camilo Ruiz, Comunica Field Manager. “When I reflect on how we supported these communities and government partners over the course of the project, I am proud to say we achieved our goals.”

In six short years and maintaining operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Comunica catalyzed investment in mining, harnessed the power of data and strengthened institutions and governance systems. These changes are working together to drive transparency, environmental sustainability and inclusivity across Colombia mining today and in the future.

alinea’s whistleblower policy

1.1 Purpose

The following Whistleblower Policy has been established to provide guidance to Alinea International employees and sub-contractors on how to deal with known or suspected improper conduct within the organization. The objectives of this Policy are to:

Create awareness of the Policy and available whistleblower protections
Act as a reference guide to potential whistleblowers wishing to make a disclosure
Define the structure of the whistleblower system, including reporting and investigation procedures, whistleblower protections, and confidentiality, among others
Improve the communication and transparency in the processes associated with whistleblowing and assure protection against derogatory consequences, namely reprisals and detrimental action
Complement the current communication channels between employees, sub-contractors and immediate managers, and hierarchical channels flowing to the President and Senior Management team
Provide guidance to all parties involved in either whistleblowing or whistleblower protection.

1.2 Scope

Alinea requires all employees and sub-contractors to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. All employees and sub-contractors of Alinea are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations of Canada and the countries where we operate. Any allegations of known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources will be dealt with in accordance with this Policy, and reasonable steps will be taken to protect those who come forward with allegations. Alinea’s Whistleblower Policy covers both internal and external whistleblowing, and establishes the controls and procedures for dealing with allegations of malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is intended to encourage employees and sub-contractors to report known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources and to enable Alinea’s Senior Management team to address and correct inappropriate action. It is the responsibility of all Board of Directors’ members, the Senior Management team, employees and sub-contractors to report concerns about known or suspected malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is applicable to all employees and sub-contractors of Alinea International.

1.3 Reporting Procedures

Alinea recognizes the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. Our internal controls and operating procedures are intended to detect and prevent malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. As detailed in Alinea’s Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals, employees and sub-contractors are encouraged to share complaints and/or concerns regarding ethical or legal violations with their immediate managers. If the employee or sub-contractor is not comfortable speaking with their immediate manager or is not satisfied with the response, they are encouraged to speak with the Gatineau or Calgary Office Managers, the Vice Presidents or, as required, the Chief Financial Officer. All members of the Senior Management team are required to report complaints and/or concerns about suspected ethical or legal violations in writing to Alinea’s Ethics Committee who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints and/or concerns. In the event that the complaint and/or concern is about the President, it should be raised by the employee or sub-contractor to their immediate manager or the Ethics Committee who will determine how the investigation will proceed. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective measures will be taken if warranted by the investigation. Alinea’s Ethics Committee is responsible for acknowledging receipt of the suspected violation and notifying the whistleblower of the outcome of the investigation. Anyone filing a written complaint concerning suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Personal grievances or complaints related to employment are not covered under Alinea’s Whistleblowing Policy. For cases such as this, employees and sub-contractors are advised to first refer to Alineas Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals when considering a disclosure under the Whistleblowing Policy. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

1.4 Confidentiality

Maintaining confidentiality is crucial to ensure reprisals are not made against the whistleblower. Alinea is committed to safeguarding the identity of the whistleblower and to protecting the whistleblower against detrimental action taken in reprisal for allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. The Ethics Committee is responsible for ensuring whistleblowers are protected from direct and indirect detrimental action, and that the culture of the workplace is supportive of suspected allegations being made. Any employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

1.5 Review

Alinea is committed to implementing ‘best practice’ policies and procedures for dealing with allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources (as defined by this Policy) and the management and protection of whistleblowers making allegation(s). This Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it meets the objectives of relevant legislation and remains effective for Alinea, and may be changed at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time. For allegations of fraud, securities law, or human rights concerns, or when you are not satisfied or uncomfortable with following the Company’s open door policy, individuals should contact the Company’s Ethics Committee directly.

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Six-year project transforms Colombia mining