The Miners Give Back (MGB) program of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Foundation (SMEF) is pleased to announce its collaboration with Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) in awarding its first grant to support a water system expansion project in Las Mojarras, Guatemala. Led by two SME student members from the EWB-USA Southern Illinois University Carbondale Chapter, the Guatemalan water project seeks to address the lack of clean, usable water for the residents of Las Mojarras by:

• Expanding the existing water system to the entire community,
• Protecting and expand the existing water source, and
• Improving sanitation in the community

MGB is working with EWB-USA to leverage EWB-USA’s global network of on-the-ground engineers in developing countries to positively impact and enhance local communities with sustainable benefits that will continue for generations. EWB-USA works directly with the community to assess, design, implement, monitor and evaluate appropriate engineering solutions for small-scale infrastructure projects. Efforts can include water supply, sanitation, civil works, structures, energy and agriculture. Through this MGB and EWB-USA relationship, the SMEF is dedicated to support worldwide initiatives focused on humanitarian efforts.

“Engineers Without Borders USA’s mission compliments that of MGB’s which is to improve the lives of individuals and inspire a commitment to give back to the local community,” said SME Executive Director David L. Kanagy. “Our relationship with EWB-USA demonstrates the commitment of the mining industry to bring tangible solutions to local community problems.”

SMEF will again coordinate activities with EWB-USA in the Fall of 2015 in reviewing applications for additional humanitarian aid grants. The SME Foundation is grateful to Drummond Company Inc. for their continued financial support of these global projects. Details about the program can be found at: http://community.smenet.org/smefoundation/programs/mgb