Sepon creating new livelihoods in Vilabouly
Sepon creating new livelihoods in Vilabouly
MMG LXML Sepon is actively building new livelihoods in Vilabouly district through expanded training and development programmes to balance the impact of the mine on the local community.
Sustainable livelihoods contribute to the government's poverty and Millennium Development Goals, and will deliver lasting benefits to the community after the mine is closed.
Sepon recently opened a new training facility at the Houay Kong Training Centre in Vilabouly to further enhance capacity for vocational, agricultural and other training for the local community.
“This significant new community investment demonstrates our strong ongoing commitment to improving livelihoods for local people,” said Rick Watsford, General Manager of MMG LXML Sepon.
The centre provides training opportunities for local people who do not work at the mine, including coaching on how to start a small business, increase agricultural output, and improve food security.
The Sepon mine is continuing to earn the privilege to grow in Laos for a further 20 years through its commitment to ensuring local communities are prepared with new livelihoods.
“The new building cost US$140,000 and will supplement existing facilities” said Itthiphone Xayyavong, Superintendent of District Support. “We can now accommodate over 60 trainees.”
“LXML Sepon and Vilabouly district jointly manage the training facility and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry will be based there to improve food security. We are also exploring avenues for further cooperation with the Savannakhet Technical and Vocational College,” he said.
Houay Kong was established to preserve indigenous weaving and tailoring skills, which provide a valuable source of income for local women. The centre was expanded to include mushroom production, fish farming, and pig and chicken rearing. More than 1,100 people from Vilabouly district have attended training courses. This number will increase in future.
Sepon also provides direct support to the local community through village development funds targeting maternal, child health and education programmes, water and sanitation, and regional infrastructure through a community development trust fund in cooperation with local authorities.
vientiane times
