The initiatives undertaken by the Foundation have produced tangible results. A new privately-run hotel-restaurant called Mongo’s is in business welcoming visitors from all over the world. A Bike-Tour operator called Llama-Mama is conducting almost daily bicycle trips around local points of interest. To make these trips accessible to bicycle riders of various levels, Llama-Mama constantly builds new roads with the help of workers from local communities. A local school has a number of computers that enhance a multitude of study programs for children of San Cristobal. A greenhouse facility grows vegetables for local commercial consumption. The activities undertaken by the Foundation are far-reaching and multi-faceted.

The San Cristobal Foundation is only one of several community projects instigated by Apex Silver in partnership with other organizations. Development of model towns such as  Culpina K, Villa Villa, and Villa Alota have  a shared effort between the company and a multilateral funding agency. The towns have benefited from direct investment in infrastructure improvements, promotion of local traditions and culture, tourism, training and education.

Apex Silver first developed its strong relationship with the local community when, in order to facilitate the community's long standing desire to relocate, the company undertook to move the entire community of San Cristobal, including relocating its  sixteenth century church and local cemetery, to a new nearby location. The project of moving the community to a new village, overseen by a group of archeologists, historians, members of the local community and company representatives, went without a glitch. The church was not only moved to a new site with some of its original materials, the interior was painstakingly and carefully removed and restored to its former glory. Even the cemetery was moved under the supervision of the local elders. The villagers welcomed newer larger houses and a new more modern school. Thus was established the enduring trust between Apex Silver and the local community.

The efforts made by Apex Silver have far-reaching goals aimed at ensuring that the San Cristobal community can sustain itself beyond and outside of mining.  This strategy, called sustainable development, is not new.  It is traditionally implemented by responsible mining companies in preparation for future closure of their mines when  their reserves have been mined out.  What is new in the case of Apex Silver is the approach of starting sustainable development in advance of commencing operations.  This approach, now commonly called the “San Cristobal Model”, has raised the standard for community involvement  to a new level for the entire mining industry.  The San Cristobal Model has become uniformly respected and widely recognized.  For example, on July 5, 2004, the Latin American Mining Organization (OLAMI) awarded Minera San Cristobal S.A., Apex Silver’s Bolivian subsidiary, a Special Honorable Mention for Excellence in Social Management.  This award was made in recognition of Minera San Cristobal’s sustainable development programs in the Province of Nor Lípez, Department of Potosí.