Elevate & Enhance
OBJECTIVES
We aim to elevate environmental conservation, social equity, and healthcare access in these regions, & will focus on the following key areas:
1. Environmental Conservation:
Working with SMO member mines to implement projects aimed at preserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and promoting sustainable land use. Amplification of existing conservation efforts will foster a more resilient ecosystem and minimize environmental impacts.
2. Social Empowerment:
Supporting initiatives that promote gender equality, access to education and healthcare, economic empowerment, and social inclusion in the wider mining communities. Through targeted interventions and strategic partnerships, we aim to enhance the well-being and increase opportunities for those in mining areas.
3. Healthcare Access:
Improving access to quality healthcare services will be a cornerstone of our work. Collaborating with SMO member mines and healthcare organisations, we seek to address health disparities & promote preventive care to enhance overall well-being.
4. Community Engagement:
Facilitating meaningful engagement with local residents, empowering them to actively participate in decision-making processes and ensuring that projects are culturally sensitive and sustainable in the long term.
SMO Golden Gala
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM GALA
SMO Gold hosted the Golden Gala at London’s iconic Natural History Museum to celebrate the launch of the new philanthropic SMO Foundation.
The SMO Foundation will support global charities focused on conservation, healthcare, and social equity. Its founding partners include the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Critical Care International, and Leadership for Conservation in Africa.
Guests at the Golden Gala enjoyed a three-course dinner, live entertainment, and a charity auction in support of the Foundation’s mission.
All funds raised on the night will go directly to the SMO Foundation’s work with its charity partners, driving meaningful, lasting impact in mining communities around the world.
MAKING CHANGE HAPPEN
COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE
TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE IN SENEGAL
Maternal and child health indicators in rural Senegal remain alarmingly poor, with mortality rates more than ten times worse than those in the UK.
Women and children face significant barriers to care, with preventable conditions continuing to claim lives. There is a stark health equity gap and an urgent need for action. This project will see the deployment of a skilled, locally engaged CCI doctor-and-nurse team to work closely with community teams.
The aim is to deliver a comprehensive, sustainable package of:
- Community-based health screening, to detect and address common yet life-threatening conditions.
- Targeted medical interventions, from antenatal care to childhood illness management.
- Health education programmes, empowering families and community health workers with knowledge to protect health and prevent harm.
This initiative will not only save lives today, but also lay the foundations for healthier generations to come in rural Senegal.
REHABILITATION BLUEPRINT
SOIL RESTORATION IN SURINAME
The goldrush is the primary driver of deforestation in Suriname, accounting for 73% of total loss. Intensive artisanal mining has removed vegetation and topsoil, transforming once green and biodiverse rainforests into barren landscapes.
The decline of soil functions and wildlife avoidance, limit seed dispersion and natural regeneration. Fragmentation of the forests has also led to a rapid decline in threatened species such as the jaguar.
This innovative project aims to create a comprehensive blueprint for rehabilitating abandoned artisanal mine sites around the Brownsberg Nature Park. The SMO Foundation will help fund soil rehabilitation, enrichment planting, integrate mining pits into the surrounding environment, restore streams and monitor fauna re-population success.
Given the scale of the issue, rehabilitation will focus on ecological connectivity.
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
THE TAÏ PROJECT, CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Taï is one of the most biologically rich and ecologically significant tropical rainforests on Earth and one of the last major remnants of the Upper Guinean Forest.
A globally recognised biodiversity hotspot, it harbours an extraordinary concentration of endangered species, including the western chimpanzee, forest elephant and pygmy hippopotamus. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Taï plays a crucial role in global climate regulation, acting as a major carbon sink.
This ambitious initiative aims to protect and restore the Taï National Park, combining robust, science-based biodiversity conservation with the development of adventure tourism as a tool for environmental protection, local income generation and increased security presence in remote forest areas.
In a world where tropical forests are vanishing at alarming rates, protecting Taï is of global urgency. Its survival represents not only a commitment to a key portion of global biodiversity but also to climate stability, cultural heritage, and the future of conservation in West Africa and beyond.
Make it Happen
FUNDRAISING & SUPPORT
The SMO Foundation welcomes donations from individuals, organizations, and businesses committed to making a positive difference for mining communities.
By supporting the foundation, donors will not only be contributing to the existing ESG initiatives of SMO member mines, but amplifying their positive impact.
How you can get involved:
1. Donate:
Your contributions will enable us to implement meaningful projects and initiatives to benefit the relevant communities.
2. Fundraise:
Host your own fundraising event to support the SMO Foundation's mission. Whether it's a charity run or a community fundraiser, your efforts will help drive positive change.
3. Spread the Word:
Help raise awareness about the SMO Foundation’s work and mission. Share our initiatives, success stories, and impact on social media, and encourage others to join our cause.
Together, we can make a lasting difference and contribute to building a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
The SMO Foundation is managed by Giving Works, Charity no. 1078770
