We believe that active long-term engagement with local communities and other stakeholders is fundamental to the success of our business, and we devote considerable time and resources to such engagement. Fresnillo therefore engages in a number of different projects with the local communities around our three operating mines. Each of the operations has an established development plan that is designed to improve the quality of life of its local communities' whilst respecting ideology and culture.
The ongoing community initiatives undertaken by Fresnillo can broadly be split into two categories: education and health and wellbeing. Direct investments in these programmes totalled US$688,000 in 2008, while Fresnillo employees voluntarily contributed a further MXN299,000 through a United Way campaign for projects of interest and benefit to these communities.
Education:
Investment in education includes both infrastructure and programmes. The key investment in educational infrastructure and equipment during the year was made in Fresnillo where support was provided for the remodelling of the Ortega González Elementary School in the city of Fresnillo. Furniture, heaters, lighting and maintenance was also provided for schools in Cienéga. Fresnillo works in partnership with government education departments to ensure that satisfactory education is provided in the communities among whom it operates. In 2008, its activities benefited 33 schools (with an aggregate of about 12,500 students and 127 teachers). We continued our collaboration with the Secretary of Public Education (Secretaría de Educación Pública, or "SEP") and with Innovation in Teaching Science, A.C. (con Innovación en la Enseñanza de la Ciencia, A.C., or "INNOVEC") in the implementation of the Inquiry and Hands on Science System (Sistema de Enseñanza Vivencial e Indagatoria de la Ciencia, or "SEVIC"). The Herradura mine joined the Adopt a School programme of the Secretary of Education and Culture of the State of Sonora. munity have benefited from the Group's investment in sport during the year.
We have promoted events on environmental education and awareness. Throughout 2008, events were organised during Environment Week, National Conservation Week and World Water Day, among others, to promote awareness about the clean-up, recycling and forestation and care of forests, including related festivities and visits. These activities were attended by about 224,000 people from our operations and the neighbouring communities.
Health and Wellbeing:
During 2008, 17,600 employees and people from neighbouring communities participated in Fresnillo's preventive health programmes. These programmes include a range of preventative initiatives, including vaccination campaigns, an addiction prevention programme, nutritional advice, prevention of violence against women, first aid courses and Youth Wellness Centres. Fresnillo regards its involvement in activities designed to promote wellbeing as an investment in health maintenance. Such activities include the promotion of sport and social pastimes. The Group has sought to encourage participation in sporting activities through the sponsorship of a variety of events including athletics meetings, football, baseball, basketball, speed football and golf tournaments and the National Triathlon. In addition funding has been provided for the maintenance of sports facilities. Approximately 11,200 employees and members of the community have benefited from the Group's investment in sport during the year.
Fresnillo supports Wellness Centres offering courses in art and ceramics, silversmithery, beauty therapy, catering, and entrepreneurship. At Ciénega the Wellness Centre has been expanded with the building of another two meeting rooms.
Human resources and employee relations Fresnillo seeks to offer its employees safe working conditions and fosters health, quality of life and professional and participatory development options as well as competitive wages and benefits. During 2008, the Group employed an average of 1,606 unionised workers, 330 non-unionised workers and 1,030 contractors. Of its total workers, 17% are women and the average age of all personnel is 35 years. Wages and salaries (excluding employees' profit-sharing) paid to employees totalled US$16.8 million and the employee turnover rate was 8.9 per cent. The relations of the Company with local unions are characterised as being of mutual respect and extensive collaboration. As a signatory to the Global Compact of the United Nations, Fresnillo promotes gender equality and opportunity, freedom of thought and association, respect for human rights, the prohibition of slavery and the exploitation child labour, and combats actions that violate respect for customs and traditions. In 2008, 1,873 persons received 183,777 hours of training, or an average 92 hours per person/year. In addition, employees offered 572 hours of time to voluntary activities. Seventeen employees were recognised for obtaining new academic degrees and 676 were recognised for their loyalty and years of service. There were a total of 29 work teams that participated in the Award for the Creation of Value and Innovation through Teamwork. Three employees were supported so that they could complete postgraduate studies abroad in the Earth Sciences: two for Masters Degrees and one for a Doctorate Degree. In addition, one employee received support for a Masters programme over the Internet.
