Strong Social Commitment

One of the most significant social activities in the Region of Magallanes are the “Jornadas Magallánicas” (a local telethon to raise funds for handicapped people). Methanex has supported this initiative for many years by contributing funds to this organization, lead by the Lions Club “Cruz del Sur”, that has three centres in the region (in the cities of Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales and Porvenir)  providing medical attention, rehabilitation therapies, training and education to handicapped children, young people and adults.

Methanex’s employees organized different activities in order to raise funds. In 2011, through a number of different initiatives organized by the Social Responsibility Teams our employees raised over 8,000 USD for this event. As part of Methanex Social Responsibility Policy the company matches the funds provided by employees. As a result, in 2011 Methanex presented one of the highest contributions to the “Jornadas Magallánicas”.

Community Dialogue: Community Advisory Panel

For over ten years, our Community Advisory Panel (CAP) has been an important liaison between Methanex and the community of Magallanes. The 14 members of our CAP bring different perspectives and come from a wide range of backgrounds, and they continue to play a valuable role in successfully integrating Methanex within the community.

Representatives from a variety of social organizations participate in the Panel. In this forum they share the most relevant issues impacting the community and also the most significant information about Methanex operations.

Each year the members of the Panel participate in different social activities. By the end of 2011, they presented a social contribution to Hogar de Niños Miraflores, a social organization that works with vulnerable children.

Contribution to Education

For over 20 years, Methanex has promoted educational initiatives in Magallanes. Each year, we offer four scholarships to outstanding students from the Universidad de Magallanes. We also provide professional work and apprenticeship opportunities for those who have to present a thesis.

Education and Environment

After participating in a communication campaign in 2009 with the Regional Government and other energy companies on Energy Efficiency in the Region of Magallanes, Methanex Chile associated with the Contardi School (an educational organization with around 1,500 students from the poorest levels of the region) and work with them to develop a program focused on Energy Efficiency and Environmental protection. The program embraced activities for students from kindergarten to the highest levels of the school. Many activities took place along the years, for example students also registered and monitor the energy consumption in the school and in their houses.

Methanex has also contributed with a chemical laboratory and some improvements in infrastructure but a key component of the success of the project is the time and dedication of our employees involved in the project.

In December 2011, The Colegio Contardi was honored with the Energy Efficiency Award provided by the Ministry of Energy. This is a national award that was presented to 8 organizations in the country and the Contardi School was the only institution from the Region of Magallanes recognized. The school is currently in the process to receive an environmental certification from The Ministry of Environment.

Methanex’s objective is to work with educational and environmental authorities in the Region of Magallanes to ensure that all the lessons learned and best practices are shared with other schools in the region.

A Dedicated Member of our Community

Methanex Chile actively participates in its local communities and we are committed to supporting public policies that enhance the quality of life for the region’s citizens. For example, we are part of the Regional Table of Energetic Efficiency for the Magallanes Region, a public-private partnership designed to develop activities and programs that contribute to the efficient use of energy in this area of the country. As part of this partnership, Methanex (together with ENAP and the regional government) created an educational campaign in 2008 to encourage the people of Magallanes to shift their energy consumption habits.

We also recently commissioned an independent study to help the region envision its plans for future growth and development. The final report, “Economic and Social Development of the XII Region: Contribution of Methanex and Growth Motors as at 2018,” was prepared by Roberto Zahler, a well-known economist and former president of the Central Bank of Chile. The study includes valuable information on future economic projections for Magallanes and outlines the positive impact of methanol production and natural gas exploration and development activities on the region and its inhabitants.

Small Business Support

For more than 25 years Methanex productive activity has generated important economic and social impact in the Region of Magallanes (as an example from 1996 - 2006 according to an independent study, Methanex generated 37% of the growth of the regional GDP).

As part of our strategy to strengthen our community relations, in 2011 Methanex Chile started to implement a program with small local businesses. Working together with other hydrocarbon companies in the region, conferences were organized. Methanex also invited to the site different groups of small entrepreneurs.

Methanex will continue to strengthen SR programs focused on these important community stakeholders, through training and other collaborative initiatives that can have a positive impact.