The line-up was long and winding. People chatted enthusiastically, children waited eagerly and impatiently, and the elderly were dressed in their best. From the excitement in the air, you might think a celebrity was scheduled to appear. That’s not the case, but this was indeed a big deal in Guerrero State in southern Mexico. The popular cultural event that entertained the masses was 2011’s Los Filos Fair hosted by Goldcorp. The 3rd Annual Community Safety Fair kicked off with a crowd of close to 3,000 people attending over the two days. Goldcorp’s CEO, other executives and family members attended along with dignitaries from the local communities and state.

Entertaining and enlightening

As attendees entered the site, they were greeted by Company managers and employees who handed out eco-friendly grab bags, each containing a raffle ticket. The visitors then joined tours to see what’s new at the underground mine and went on to explore more than 50 booths featuring displays, exhibits and competition entries submitted by local school children and science students.

From there the crowd headed to the heavy equipment exhibition for an up-close look at the big rigs and for a photo in the driver’s seat, followed by a stroll through the grounds of the newly created botanical garden, freshly planted with dozens of native species of flowers, shrubs and trees. Then it was time to take in the fun of safety games, entertainment, demonstrations and workshops.

Over the course of the three-day Fair, close to 3,000 visitors from the surrounding communities of Mezcala, Carrizalillo and Mazapa, as well as the neighbouring regions of Chilpancingo, Acapulco, Iguala and Monterrey – including government officials, local organizations, suppliers, partners, and of course citizens from all walks of life – took part in the festivities. The event attracted more people than last year.

Action and attractions

Each day featured a variety of safety, health and environmental activities:

• Life-saving demonstrations by Goldcorp rescue crews as well as paramedic students from the Universidad Tecnológica de la Región Norte de Warrior
• Youth workshops on bicycle safety, first aid and CPR
• Free health checks by Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) medics and The Laboratory Nobel
• Free dental examinations by Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero dental students
• Regional artists, performers and theatre productions staged by the cultural department of the Guerrero Ministry of Education
• Science & technology projects showcasing solar energy inventions and innovations created by school groups in Mezcala and Carrizalillo
• Plastic recycling competition featuring projects from schools in Carrizalillo, Mazapa and Mezcala
• Drawing contests with entries reflecting wildlife conservation and Goldcorp’s motto, “Safe Enough for Our Families”
• Sports challenges and cachibol games for all ages, including senior citizens
• Children’s fun zone with games, activities and inflatable castles
• 99.1 FM live radio interviews, event coverage and music

Other crowd-pleasing attractions included the pint-sized, eight-sided STOP mascot, who roamed the grounds entertaining kids, and the ever-popular giant roulette wheel, where safety devices and apparel were won with a lucky spin. At the end of each Fair day, the raffle tickets in attendees’ enviro-friendly bags were eagerly compared to the numbers drawn. For many, the bags came in handy for carrying home winnings of small household appliances, DVD and MP3 players, cell phones and kids’ games.

For Los Filos General Manager Tomas Iturriaga, the Fair was a big win for reasons far beyond prizes. “We put a lot of thought into how we would bolster our messages to communities. The roulette wheel is a great way to attract people and focus attention on safety, and today we have new, innovative ways to make lasting connections and impressions. The health checks, the recycling contests, the botanical gardens – all of these demonstrate Goldcorp’s commitment to the welfare of people and our planet.”

In 2011 Goldcorp hired a Manager responsible for developing and promoting Health and Wellness programs and initiatives across the Company. Goldcorp recognizes the importance of staying fit and encouraging employees to invest in their health. Many of our sites have created wellness programs to support employees on their journey to staying fit.

• Our Wharf mine in South Dakota, US, has implemented a wellness program for the employees and their families. The program incorporates everything from healthy eating to stretching exercises to help strengthen backs and reduce sprains and strain injuries. A new website for employees showcases the options and programs available.
• Musselwhite mine located in Ontario, Canada, has also taken steps in improving workers' overall health. They have introduced healthy eating principles across the site which include a low-calorie choice for meals along with more choices for diabetics. In 2011 Musselwhite held many challenges, such as a pedometer and weight loss challenge, along with daily instructional sports and fitness classes.
• Los Filos also has a program which incorporates the family. A very well-attended health fair was put on by the health professionals and staff at Los Filos which was a great success. Los Filos uses innovative slogans and material to keep the workers and their families interested and excited about improving their health.

These are just a few examples of the great things that are happening at our sites. Living a healthy lifestyle is a choice, and with tools, support and encouragement, we are on our way to a healthier Goldcorp.