The Lundin Foundation is a Canadian non-profit created by Lukas Lundin, who had a vision for Lundin Group companies to make lasting benefits for communities impacted by resource operations.
LUNDIN FOUNDATION
Community Impact
The Lundin Foundation develops strategic community investments that pave the way for long-term economic prosperity. By focusing on the individual strengths of each community, and assessing untapped market opportunities, the Foundation's programs ensure durable success that goes beyond the life of an individual project. The Foundation believes communities deserve access to opportunities for growth. Successful local solutions demand out-of-the-box thinking, flexibility and an in-depth understanding of the surrounding environment.
The Foundation strives for long-term impact, empowering entrepreneurs and forging partnerships within the following pillars:
- Environmental and Social Innovation
- Economic Diversification
- Local Supplier Development
- Educations and Skills Training
Social Innovation
Diversification
Development
Skills Training
ESG Expertise
The Foundation cultivates expertise and knowledge that is shared across Lundin Group companies to elevate performance, maximize benefits and leave communities stronger than ever before. With an unwavering commitment to responsible resource development, the Foundation supports the development and implementation of sustainability strategies that enable organizations to remain resilient, relevant and competitive in today’s world. As pressing environmental, social and governance (ESG) trends emerge and regulations and disclosure requirements shift, the Foundation prioritizes ongoing learning and information sharing to ensure Lundin Group companies remain proactive and agile.
Global Impact
In 2023, the Lundin Foundation invested $5 million across 17 initiatives, driving substantial economic growth and community empowerment. The results showcase impressive revenue and income generation, gender inclusivity, and extensive support for small businesses and community members.
Stories of Impact
In 2023, the Lundin Foundation invested $5 million across 17 initiatives, driving substantial economic growth and community empowerment. The results showcase impressive revenue and income generation, gender inclusivity, and extensive support for small businesses and community members.
Creating Solutions For Mining
Sofía Hernández and Marianella Díaz met in 2019 as undergraduates in the Road Engineering program at the University of San Juan. Reuniting over a shared passion for environmental innovation, they collaborated on their master’s thesis in 2023 to develop a system to monitor dust emissions on unpaved roads, a common issue related to impact management in the mining sector. Drawing on their experience and knowledge of their home province, the close friends led one of the teams selected for the Green Engineering Program. This program, in partnership with Lundin Mining’s Josemaria project and the National University of San Juan, provides capacity building and seed funding to develop creative ideas related to environmental sustainability and the circular economy into products with market potential.
“The greatest contribution that participating in the Green Engineering Program gave our initiative was, first and foremost, viewing the project as a potential business. During the thesis work, this aspect seemed very distant, but with Green Engineering, we realized that it can be turned into a commercial reality and potentially attract customers.”
Organic Agriculture Sparks Product Innovation
Sonia Sarango has built upon the customs and knowledge of Ecuador’s Saraguro indigenous communities. Leading a women’s agricultural association, she has taken natural ingredients from the Amazon to create exclusive products based on local flavours, such as her own lemon verbena tonic water and ginger-hibiscus soda. Winning the SOY EMPRENDEDORA (“I Am an Entrepreneur”) Program provided Sonia with the opportunity to expand her carbonated beverage company, Mallik. She established a sustainable production model and broadened her client base to over 32 stores in the provinces of Zamora Chinchipe, Loja, and Azuay. Additionally, with the aid of the seed capital she received, she perfected Mallik’s formulas and obtained two necessary permits for her products to be distributed nationally. In collaboration with Lundin Gold, SOY EMPRENDEDORA has been assisting women entrepreneurs with customized capacity building and seed funding since 2021.
“As women entrepreneurs, we all need to support each other; within obstacles, there are always opportunities,” explained Sonia, referring to the difficulties her company faced after the Covid-19 pandemic. “SOY EMPRENDEDORA was a unique experience that provided us with business training and a new opportunity for the growth of our business and our community.”
Embracing The Opportunity To Lead
Susanne Eriksson recently embarked on a new chapter as Site Manager at AKLA, a health-related business that develops, manufactures, and distributes tools for wound care. In 2023, AKLA was one of the beneficiaries of the re:think Program which, in partnership with Lundin Mining’s Zinkgruvan mine, supports entrepreneurs who are developing innovations in the Askersund municipality in Sweden.
Although Susanne’s journey began over 20 years ago when she first joined the plant as an operator, re:think provided her with a new vision and the opportunity to participate in coaching sessions with peers. She speaks excitedly about how she feels more energetic and self-aware, traits that have helped her spearhead the organization’s decision-making process and develop a strategy to bring AKLA’s products to international markets.
“The networking and coaching opportunities embedded in re:think were fantastic. The chance to meet other leaders who share similar obstacles added significant value. It made me feel better prepared to step in my leadership role and face the challenges ahead.”
Redefining Roles In Industrial Safety
Heydi Sucunuta is a partner in the Amazon Region Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Service (SMERA), supported by Lundin Gold and Lundin Foundation’s NEXO Program, both fostering local supplier development in Los Encuentros, Ecuador since 2021. In SMERA’s early days, Heydi worked as an operator for their mobile workshop, but soon after she decided to pursue a technical degree in Workplace Safety and Risk Prevention. Building on her studies and participation in other capacity-building programs, she now serves as general manager, providing high-quality services in Lundin Gold’s Fruta del Norte project and overseeing operations for more than 40 other clients. She aims to continue to create additional employment opportunities for her community.
“It is important to note that both women and men have the capabilities needed for this job. With effort, we can both succeed. We must move away from the notion that some jobs are only meant for men and, through example, forge the role of women in fields like mining and safety.”
