Rio Grande do Sul – Culture & Community
Rio Grande do Sul is a region larger than New Zealand with a population of just over 11 million people and the highest life expectancy in Brazil. Like its foreign neighbours (Uruguay and Argentina), the state has a gaucho culture, and the pampas (the southwestern region of the state where Aguia’s projects and assets are located), is still influenced by the culture of the old Gaúchos.
Gaúcho is a term that can describe anyone born in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, however, it is also used to describe the 19th century rural workers of the region. Despite some influence from German and Italian immigrants to the region, the Gaúcho people of Rio Grande do Sul maintain a particular zeal for their culture.
Gaúcho culture in Rio Grande do Sul remains on display today, characterised through the wearing of the traditional Gaúcho outfit, skilled horsemanship and lassoing, and horseback livestock raising on the grazing fields of Rio Grande do Sul.
Aguia works closely with the Rio Grande do Sul community, beyond the community consultation required for project permitting. To date, this has included sponsorship of photography exhibitions, vintage car events and other local festivals. Nossa Terra, which translates as ‘Our Land’ is a program run by Aguia which supports the actions and projects of entities that are committed to sustainability, education and improvement in the quality of life, especially for vulnerable people within the local area.
Aguia will be prioritising the employment of people from the local community for our Três Estradas Phosphate Project and Andrade Copper Project (as well as all future developments) where possible. Community relations work is being undertaken with communications support from NANO BizTools.