PSJ Cobre Mendocino participated in the “Women in Networks” event, which aimed to strengthen the role of women in the technological and industrial sectors, with a special focus on gender perspective. In addition, the company presented its community program PAZANDINO – Mountain Threads, a sustainable textile initiative that promotes circular economy.
On Thursday, July 17, PSJ Cobre Mendocino took part in the “Women in Networks” event, where it presented its mining project, currently at an advanced stage of the Environmental Impact Assessment process.
The event was held at the IDITS Auditorium and brought together key figures such as the Vice-Governor, Hebe de Casado; the Coordinator of Red MIA Cuyo, Carolina Fadrique; the President of UIM Joven, Georgina Riveros; and the Director of the Advisory Committee of Women in Mining (WIM), Ana Gil Barbera.
From PSJ, participants included Valentina Cassino, Head of Relations and Communication; Adriana María Schmutz, Head of Institutional Relations in Uspallata; along with Marcela Marchiori and Florencia Bianchi from the technical team that prepared PSJ’s Environmental Impact Assessment report. Also present were women from the textile program in Uspallata promoted by PSJ and Xinca: Miriam Vega, industrial textile trainer at Xinca, and program representatives Claudia Coz and Beatriz Rojas, together with a group of local women leaders.
PSJ Cobre Mendocino presented its mining project, emphasizing its commitment to sustainable development, local job creation, and the integration of women into technical and management roles.
“This is a crucial moment to shift the discussion from ‘mining yes or no’ to ‘how mining,’ and in this sense, thinking of mining with a gender perspective is fundamental. It is important to highlight the role of women driving mining activity, as seen here today with organizations such as WIM, Red MIA, UIM Joven, IDITS, and ADERPE. Equally important is the leadership of Vice-Governor Hebe de Casado and Minister of Environment and Energy Jimena Latorre in promoting mining,” said Valentina Cassino, Head of Relations and Communication at PSJ.
“We have the opportunity to become the first copper mine to go into production in Argentina, and we want to shape an inclusive mining industry that drives local industrial development, with training and support for the development and formalization of local suppliers—creating real benefits for the entire value chain in Uspallata, Las Heras, and Mendoza,” she added.
Meanwhile, Marcela Marchiori, Technical Director of GT Ingeniería, highlighted the main progress of the mining project during her presentation. Marchiori, a Civil Engineer with 20 years of professional experience, coordinated the development of the Environmental Impact Study of the PSJ Cobre Mendocino Project.
PSJ also highlighted the work being carried out in Uspallata with strong community involvement. More than 450 certificates have been awarded through training programs, and over 700 people have participated in guided tours of the project. “Of these participants, 60% are women: women are the most interested and the most active in our activities,” Cassino concluded.
Launch of the Textile Program Pazandino, Mountain Threads
As part of the event, PSJ also launched its community program PAZANDINO, Mountain Threads, a sustainable textile initiative that promotes circular economy through the use of recycled materials and creates local jobs with a strong gender focus.
The program, developed in partnership with Xinca, promotes the production of workwear and reusable textile products, integrating women from Uspallata into the mining value chain as well as other productive sectors.
The initiative is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and IFC Standards by fostering inclusive supply chains and building community capacities to access greater employment opportunities.
PSJ Cobre Mendocino reaffirms its commitment to responsible mining, aligned with provincial and national regulations and in compliance with the highest international standards. The project moves forward with a vision of sustainable development, promoting inclusion and the creation of genuine opportunities for the Mendoza community.
