NUEVA VIZCAYA OFFICIALS CROSS PARTY LINES TO FIGHT ILLEGAL SMALL SCALE MINING

In Photo: Documented by the Nueva Vizcaya State University investigative team, an old-fashioned mining ball mill used to extract gold operates without permit in the upland village of Didipio in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.

Nueva Vizcaya officials cross party lines to fight illegal mining

BUSINESS MIRROR
Thursday, 19 November 2009 20:28

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The escalating number of casualties in the illegal small-scale mining operations in the province has prompted provincial officials to cross party lines.

Nueva Vizcaya provincial board member Patricio Dumlao Jr. criticized the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and local officials in mineral-rich municipalities where illegal small-scale mining activities run rampant, for their failure to curb what he described as destructive mining ventures.

“If local officials in those areas are not illegal miners themselves or if they are not in cahoots with the operators, then it would be easy for them to hunt and stop all mining operations in their respective jurisdictions. Administrative charges can be filed against these officials for dereliction of duty,” said Dumlao.

For his part, Nueva Vizcaya Vice Gov. Jose Gambito Jr., who used to chair the provincial small-scale mining board, confirmed that no permits were issued to small-scale miners operating in a mining area already under financial technical assistance agreement (FTAA).

Gambito was referring to the Dinkidi Hill area in the upland town of Kasibu, where OceanaGold Philippines Inc. was granted the rights by the national government to operate the Didipio gold-copper project under an FTAA.

The MGB said the FTAA may be entered into between a contractor and the national government for the large-scale exploration, development and utilization of gold, copper, nickel, chromite, lead and zinc. The approval of its applications is subject to qualifications and requirements set by the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and other existing mineral policies of the Philippines.

Dumlao expressed fears that undocumented small-scale mining operations wherever in the province may not only endanger the miners’ lives, but also the entire community where they operate unregulated.

“Because they don’t have permits to operate, therefore they are illegal and have no records for the government to monitor their activities while technically evading tax obligations. How can we entice foreign investments into the country if we cannot protect legal mining projects that pay substantial tax revenues to the government?” asked Dumlao.

Dumlao, who belongs to Nueva Vizcaya’s north district, said the dreadful way of using the toxic mercury in extracting gold, which remains in practice, endangers not only the lives of people living in the area, but the natural ecology as well.

He also mentioned the indiscriminate use of dynamite in mine-tunnel excavation as fatal to the miners based on reported blasting-related deaths recently.

During a recent provincial peace- and-order council meeting, Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Luisa Lloren Curesma ordered the local authorities to stop all illegal mining anywhere in the province.

“These must be stopped. We can’t just sit here waiting for another death or tragedy to happen. Besides, most of these people are not Novo Vizcayanos, and yet they exploit and ruin our natural resources,” said Cuaresma, who heads the provincial small-scale mining regulatory board.

An investigative team from the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) that conducted water testing from tributaries of the Didipio river network declared the presence of mercury in the upland river system.

The NVSU report was further confirmed by the National Science Research Institute at the University of the Philippines. The water samples at one liter each from the Camgat and Didipio rivers positively yielded mercury at an average concentration of 0.0002 milligram per liter, above the tolerable 0.0001 milligram per liter.

“As a result, the water from the Camgat and Didipio rivers is not safe for human consumption. The color of the water is murky brown probably due to suspended materials. Dissolved oxygen is too low which prevents plankton and algae [which serve as fishes’ food] from reproducing,” explained NVSU vice president for administration Elmer Castañeto, head of the research team.

“Inland fishing used to be an easy source of income, but today, there are no more clean waters to fish from. Mercury is highly toxic even in small amount,” he said.

Blood samples taken from Didipio residents examined at St. Luke’s Medical Center were proven to be mercury positive.

“With the result of our survey positively yielding the dreadful mercury, this is scary enough for everybody to be aware about the dangers it may impose to one’s life,” warned NVSU president Dr. Marilou Gilo Abon.

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Disaster seen from unregulated small-scale mining in Quirino

IN PHOTO -- Armed with a mechanical backhoe digger, an illegal small-scale miner attacks the slopes of the Dinkidi Hill in Didipio indiscriminately hitting portions of a tree plantation developed by OceanaGold Philippines as part of its advance rehabilitation program.

Disaster seen from unregulated small-scale mining in Quirino


Monday, 02 November 2009 19:01

MADDELA, Quirino—A former governor of this province has called for the complete stop of all small-scale mining activities in this province, calling their operations illegal, destructive to the environment, and inimical to the interests of local residents.

Former Quirino Gov. Pedro Bacani condemned all small-scale mining activities at the Didipio mining impact zone, particularly on the slopes of Dinkidi Hill, host to the OceanaGold Philippines gold-copper project that straddles the boundaries of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya.

“These people do not have permits. We cannot tolerate these unregulated mining activities,” he said. “Besides, these people do not pay taxes and they indiscriminately create soil tears that lead to large-scale erosion and landslides, especially during the rainy season,” Bacani said.

“Because the nomadic miners do not observe government rules and regulations in their operations, they are unwittingly exposing themselves to certain danger as well as those living at the immediate impact zone and those residing downstream [Nagtipunan, Cabarroguis and Aglipay towns in Quirino] where floodwaters will meet in rampaging wrath,” said Bacani.

Illegal mining-related deaths have been reported recently and in the past.

An investigative team from the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) that conducted water testing from tributaries of the Didipio river network, declared the presence of mercury in the upland river system.

The NVSU report was further confirmed by the National Science Research Institute at the University of the Philippines. The water samples of one liter each from Camgat and Didipio Rivers positively yielded mercury at an average concentration approximately twice the tolerable levels.

“As a result, the water from Camgat and Didipio Rivers is not safe for human consumption. The color of the water is murky brown probably due to suspended materials. Dissolved oxygen is too low which prevents plankton and algae [which serve as fish food] from reproducing,” explained Elmer Castañeto, head of the research team.

“Inland fishing used to be an easy source of income, but today, there are no more clean waters to fish from. Mercury is highly-toxic even in small amount,” he said.

Blood samples, too, taken from Didipio residents examined at St. Luke’s Medical Center were proven mercury positive.

“With the result of our survey positively yielding the dreadful mercury, this is scary enough for everybody to be aware about the dangers it may impose to one’s life,” warned NVSU president Marilou Gilo Abon.

Alarmed by the mercury pollution report, Department of Environment and Natural resources Sec. Lito Atienza assured that his department will strictly implement all rules and regulations against the pollution of the environment in mining activities.

“We are committed in promoting clean and healthy environment at the same time protecting the country’s natural resources from undue exploitation,” Atienza said.

Prompted by the survey’s alarming results, with emphasis on the mercury contamination of the surrounding waters, the NVSU probe team conducted a mining advocacy at the Didipio Elementary School for local residents, students and promine as well as anti-mine advocates.
During the forum, the residents immediately pointed fingers to small-scale miners operating without permit in the area as the culprits to the mercury contamination.

Traditionally, small-scale miners use mercury to extract gold with the aid of water which is indiscriminately drained into nearby rivers.

Vaporizing metallic liquid mercury in the heating process is very dangerous to human health. Once mercury is inhaled, this goes to the lungs and 80 percent of what is inhaled is retained by the body, dissolved in fatty tissue, and can damage the central nervous system. Mercury exposure causes damage to the kidney, cardiovascular and immunological system, brain, spinal cord and liver.

Human intake of mercury-containing fish, accumulated over time, can impair a person’s ability to feel, see, move and taste; and causes numbness, tunnel vision, and leads eventually to coma, and death. Mercury intake by pregnant women can cause disorders in the mother and the unborn child.

The hunt for gold in remote parts of Luzon has gone on for many years. But this has intensified of late with higher gold prices which have recently exceeded $1,000 per ounce. As more small-scale miners begin showing up in communities in hopes of striking it rich, additional pressure is placed on community infrastructure and the presence of widespread environmental damage is on the increase.

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Vizcaya officials unite against illegal mining

GOLD MILLING. Operating without permit, a small-scale miner runs
an old-fashioned ball mill to extract gold in an upland village in
Nueva Vizcaya. A Nueva Vizcaya State University report declared that
indiscriminate use of mercury by illegal miners has contaminated the
river networks in mining villages.

Vizcaya officials unite against illegal mining

The rising casualties in the illegal small-scale mining operations in the province has prompted provincial officials to cross party lines in an attempt to stamp out the practice.

Nueva Vizcaya provincial board member Patricio Dumlao Jr. criticized the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the environment department and local officials in mineral-rich municipalities where there are rampant illegal small-scale mining for their
failure to curb what he described as destructive mining ventures. “If local officials in those areas are not illegal miners themselves or if they are not in cahoots with the operators, then it would be easy for them to hunt and stop all mining operations in their respective jurisdictions.

Administrative charges can be filed against these officials for dereliction
of duty,” warned Dumlao.

Nueva Vizcaya Vice Governor Jose Gambito Jr., who used to chair the provincial small-scale mining board, confirmed that no permits were issued to small-scale miners
who operate in a mining area already under Financial Technical Assistance
Agreement (FTAA).

Gambito was referring to the Dinkidi Hill area in the upland town of Kasibu where OceanaGold Philippines Inc. was granted the rights by the national government to operate the Didipio gold-copper project under an FTAA.

The MGB says FTAA may be entered into between a contractor and the national government for the large-scale exploration, development and utilization of gold, copper, nickel, chromite, lead, zinc. The approval of applications is subject to qualifications and requirements set by the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and
other existing mineral policies of the Philippines.

Dumlao expressed fears that undocumented small-scale mining operations in the province may not only endanger the miners but also the entire community where they operate unregulated. “Because they don’t have permits to operate, they are illegal and there are no records for the government to monitor their activities while technically evading tax obligations. How can we entice foreign investments
into the country if we can not protect legal mining projects that pay substantial
tax revenues to the government?” Dumlao asked.

Dumlao who hails from Nueva Vizcaya’s north district said using toxic mercury in extracting gold endangers not only the lives of people living in the area but the natural ecology as well. He also mentioned the indiscriminate use of dynamite in mine tunnel excavation as extremely fatal to the miners based on reported blasting related deaths recently.

During the recent Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting, Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Luisa Lloren Curesma ordered the local authorities to stop all illegal mining anywhere in the province.

“These must be stopped. We can’t just sit here waiting for another death or tragedy to happen. Besides most of these people are not Novo Vizcayanos and yet they exploit and ruin our natural resources,” said Cuaresma who now heads the provincial smallscale mining regulatory board.





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Disaster seen from unregulated small-scale mining in Quirino

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IN PHOTO -- Armed with a mechanical backhoe digger, an illegal small-scale miner attacks the slopes of the Dinkidi Hill in Didipio indiscriminately hitting portions of a tree plantation developed by OceanaGold Philippines as part of its advance rehabilitation program.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Disaster seen from unregulated small-scale mining in Quirino




MADDELA, Quirino—A former governor of this province has called for the complete stop of all small-scale mining activities in this province, calling their operations illegal, destructive to the environment, and inimical to the interests of local residents.

Former Quirino Gov. Pedro Bacani condemned all small-scale mining activities at the Didipio mining impact zone, particularly on the slopes of Dinkidi Hill, host to the OceanaGold Philippines gold-copper project that straddles the boundaries of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya.

“These people do not have permits. We cannot tolerate these unregulated mining activities,” he said. “Besides, these people do not pay taxes and they indiscriminately create soil tears that lead to large-scale erosion and landslides, especially during the rainy season,” Bacani said.

“Because the nomadic miners do not observe government rules and regulations in their operations, they are unwittingly exposing themselves to certain danger as well as those living at the immediate impact zone and those residing downstream [Nagtipunan, Cabarroguis and Aglipay towns in Quirino] where floodwaters will meet in rampaging wrath,” said Bacani.

Illegal mining-related deaths have been reported recently and in the past.

An investigative team from the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) that conducted water testing from tributaries of the Didipio river network, declared the presence of mercury in the upland river system.

The NVSU report was further confirmed by the National Science Research Institute at the University of the Philippines. The water samples of one liter each from Camgat and Didipio Rivers positively yielded mercury at an average concentration approximately twice the tolerable levels.

“As a result, the water from Camgat and Didipio Rivers is not safe for human consumption. The color of the water is murky brown probably due to suspended materials. Dissolved oxygen is too low which prevents plankton and algae [which serve as fish food] from reproducing,” explained Elmer Castañeto, head of the research team.

“Inland fishing used to be an easy source of income, but today, there are no more clean waters to fish from. Mercury is highly-toxic even in small amount,” he said.

Blood samples, too, taken from Didipio residents examined at St. Luke’s Medical Center were proven mercury positive.

“With the result of our survey positively yielding the dreadful mercury, this is scary enough for everybody to be aware about the dangers it may impose to one’s life,” warned NVSU president Marilou Gilo Abon.

Alarmed by the mercury pollution report, Department of Environment and Natural resources Sec. Lito Atienza assured that his department will strictly implement all rules and regulations against the pollution of the environment in mining activities.

“We are committed in promoting clean and healthy environment at the same time protecting the country’s natural resources from undue exploitation,” Atienza said.

Prompted by the survey’s alarming results, with emphasis on the mercury contamination of the surrounding waters, the NVSU probe team conducted a mining advocacy at the Didipio Elementary School for local residents, students and promine as well as anti-mine advocates.

During the forum, the residents immediately pointed fingers to small-scale miners operating without permit in the area as the culprits to the mercury contamination.

Traditionally, small-scale miners use mercury to extract gold with the aid of water which is indiscriminately drained into nearby rivers.

Vaporizing metallic liquid mercury in the heating process is very dangerous to human health. Once mercury is inhaled, this goes to the lungs and 80 percent of what is inhaled is retained by the body, dissolved in fatty tissue, and can damage the central nervous system. Mercury exposure causes damage to the kidney, cardiovascular and immunological system, brain, spinal cord and liver.

Human intake of mercury-containing fish, accumulated over time, can impair a person’s ability to feel, see, move and taste; and causes numbness, tunnel vision, and leads eventually to coma, and death. Mercury intake by pregnant women can cause disorders in the mother and the unborn child.

The hunt for gold in remote parts of Luzon has gone on for many years. But this has intensified of late with higher gold prices which have recently exceeded $1,000 per ounce. As more small-scale miners begin showing up in communities in hopes of striking it rich, additional pressure is placed on community infrastructure and the presence of widespread environmental damage is on the increase.





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OCEANAGOLD'S 2008 REFORESTATION, PHILIPPINE'S BEST MINING FOREST AWARD CONTENDER

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-XbkFfvnI0&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-XbkFfvnI0&feature=channel_page

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LEO ATINAN IS AN IFUGAO TRIBE MEMBER WORKING WITH OCEANAGOLD'S DIDIPIO GOLD COPPER PROJECT

LEO ATINAN

IS AN IFUGAO TRIBE MEMBER WORKING WITH

OCEANAGOLD'S DIDIPIO GOLD COPPER PROJECT

EARTHBALLING BY OCEANAGOLD PHILIPPINES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW9oNlpbEmg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW9oNlpbEmg

OceanaGold conducted earth balling of trees that were affected by the earth movement and construction activities. In 2008, a total of two hundred forty-one (241) earth balled trees of various species and sizes were transplanted in the open areas along newly built road. 90% survival of earthballed trees were recorded. This is just one of the accomplishments of OceanaGold in environmental management in 2008.




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OCEANAGOLD PHILIPPINES CONDUCTS TREE PLANTING IN AND AROUND ITS DIDIPIO GOLD COPPER PROJECT

OCEANAGOLD PHILIPPINES CONDUCTS TREE PLANTING IN AND AROUND ITS DIDIPIO GOLD COPPER PROJECT



Oceanagold Philippines, Inc. conducted tree planting activities at Debibi Integrated Elementary School on May 25, 2009 at Barangay Debibi, Province of Quirino, Philippines. The tree planting coincided with the barangay’s three day 39th year Fiesta from May 23 to 25, 2009.

Oceanagold’s Chito Gozar; Vice President for Communications and External Affairs and Lucy Exconde; Sustainability and Community Partnership Manager joined Barangay Debibi Captain Narciso Kitan and Province of Quirino Board Member Gerry Pagbilao in the tree planting.

A total of 5000 trees were planted by Barangay Debibi in its jurisdiction, in collaboration with Oceanagold since the start of the barangay’s tree planting endeavour.

The activity aims to promote and create awareness among the constituents of the barangay and Oceanagold employees in protecting and managing the environment.

As part of the environment protection program, Oceanagold personnel are also involved in reforestation activities. Reforestation is part of the company’s long term measure in stormwater management.

One of the activities is the establishment of fire lines around the Oceanagold’s plantations to protect the trees from fire. Likewise, ring weeding maintenance around each plant to free them from unwanted grasses especially during its first six months after planting is also being undertaken.

Oceanagold employees are actively engaged in activities that promote environment care and protection keeping the community where its project operates, environmentally sound and sustainable.






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Oceanagold Joins the World in Celebrating Earth Day

Did you know that Oceanagold in the Philippines celebrates 'EARTH DAY'?

Earth Day 2009

Oceanagold's Blair Way, President / Paul Laurent, Site Manager / Gil Maglaque, Security Manager

The Didipio Community

Oceanagold Joins the World in Celebrating Earth Day


This movement, which is celebrated every 22nd of April, continued up to the present and this time it was observed by approximately 175 countries around the world, including the Philippines. It is being coordinated by the nonprofit Earth Day Network who revealed that the celebration is presently the most celebrated holiday in the world, supported by over half billion individuals annually.


Being a mining company that realizes and prioritizes the importance of mitigating the environmental impacts of our operations, OCEANAGOLD have shown their commitment in preserving and protecting the earth through our mitigating measures and projects.


Oceanagold also make sure that in whatever ways they can, they support all international and national environmental celebrations and movements, which include Earth Day.


Activities were chosen to promote forest protection and reforestation since woodlands act as natural “heat sinks” which reduce the effects of global warming to the earth. OceanaGold is aware that every year, the area covered by forest in the Philippines is continuously declining, which is why the Company is committed to preserving and increasing the vegetation within the project vicinity.

Earth Day 2008

Oceanagold Staff and Security Contractor


Oceanagold Contractors

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ILLEGAL MERCURY USE BY SMALL SCALE MINERS THREATENS MERCURY CONTAMINATION OF NUEVA VIZCAYA RESIDENTS, ENVIRONMENT

by Brownrichardbrown

The information provided on this by me, Richard Brown, is under my own personal responsibility. Similarly, any opinions expressed are my own and are in no way to be taken as those of a government agency/entity/academe.



Do we have short memories?

The following were studied, discussed, debated, published and acted upon by the government. The government was successful to put a stop on illegal small scale mining activity at Didipio.

But, it looks like history repeats itself.

Illegal small scale miners at Barangay Didipio, Municipality of Kasibu in the province of Nueva Vizcaya are back.

Yes they are back… but not for the good of the community, but threatening mercury contamination of Nueva Vizcaya residents and the environment.

Let us go back in time and read on…

The hunt of un-permitted small scale miners for gold in the hills of Nueva Vizcaya is exposing to threat of mercury poisoning the health of a tribal community, rivers, and forests of the rustic village.

The diggings may not turn Brgy. Didipio in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya into an underground graveyard as the Diwalwal gold rush caused, but it has started ticking alarm bells as blood samples of residents were found with high mercury.

Water samples taken at the Camgat, Surong, and Didipio rivers all showed mercury beyond the safe levels set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Initial results of a survey of the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) showed that water samples at the rivers contain mercury 0.002 milligram per liter. Sent for analysis at the University of the Philippines’ National Science Research Institute (NSRI), the mercury level is above the acceptable 0.0001 milligram per liter.

“The water in the river is murky. There are a few benthic organisms (freshwater fishes like hito) and macrophytes. Dissolved oxygen is low so plankton count (algae and microorganisms that serve as food fishes) is low,” said NVSU Research Director Prof. Elmer T. Castaneto, head of the environmental survey.

“Tilapia used to be an immediate source of livelihood. But now, there are no more areas to fish from. Mercury is highly-toxic even in small amount,” he said.

Blood samples taken from Didipio residents examined at St. Luke’s Hospital showed above normal mercury content.

“The data are raw, but our study has shown the presence of above normal mercury in blood samples. This is just one study that has to be replicated. But even with this, people should be aware of the danger that mercury is there when there should not be,” said Dr. Marilou Abon, NVSU president.

Mercury detection was blamed by the community to illegal small scale mines.

Records show that unlike the Rapu Rapu mine site in Albay, there are nil naturally-occurring mercury in rock types of Didipio.

And while the NVSU survey showed still low levels of mercury on water, stream sediment samples taken from waterbeds indicate high mercury content of up to 4000 ppm, indicating poisonous water flowing into irrigation canals and seeping into the water table and drunk as potable water by community residents.

“It is hypothesized that the Didipio community rice paddies are contaminated too,” Castaneto said.

“The community is afraid they might be drinking contaminated water,” a local Pastor Efren Bulawan said.

“The government should put a stop in this illegal mining. This is the clamor of the community. People are getting killed and human health and the environment are in danger of mercury poisoning,” - Didipio residents during NVSU’s advocacy forum of June 15, 2006.

Castaneto said Nueva Vizcaya’s Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) Chief Roberto Apigo, the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board, and DENR await results forum documentation of the NVSU environmental survey to be able to act on mercury presence in the area.

With its highly-toxic nature, government bans use of mercury in small scale mining operations.

“Mercury is a controlled chemical substance. Government discourages its use. No permit is being issued for it,” said Mines and Geosciences Bureau Mining Tenements Director Leo Jasareno.

Small scale miners use mercury to extract gold from rocks. After grinding the mineral-containing rock into a ball mill, they burn mercury to take out the gold. But vaporizing metallic liquid mercury in the heating process is very dangerous to human health.

Once mercury is inhaled by the human body, this goes to the lungs and 80 percent of what is inhaled is retained by the body, dissolved in fatty tissue, and can damage the central nervous system. Mercury exposure causes damage to the kidney, cardiovascular and immunological system, brain, spinal cord, and liver.

Human intake of mercury-containing fish, accumulated over time, can impair a person’s ability to feel, see, move and taste, causes numbness, tunnel vision, and leads eventually to coma, and death

Mercury intake by pregnant women can cause disorders in the mother and the unborn child.

The chase for gold in the sleepy town has gone on for many years. But this intensified late last year as a mineable copper-gold reserve was announced to be mined by Oceanagold Philippines, Inc. (OGPI) under a Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA).

Over this time, two small scale miners were already killed by the illegal operations. Last June 15, Eugene Ansibey, 27, was killed inside a tunnel in the Didipio hill after experiencing dizziness apparently caused by suffocation from dynamite emitted gas residues.

The use of dynamite requires a government permit; small scale operations are not allowed to use it.

But aside from infringing government’s explosive use policies, small miners exhaust forest timber, which they use to support tunnels, even without permit. This further contributes to erosion and environmental degradation in Didipio.

Operating without the legal sanction, miners expose themselves to death in operations that do not have safety precautions and equipment such as exhausts to eliminate dynamite fumes.

Small scale mining operations in Didipio is believed to be financed by mining operators from other small scale mining sites in the region. Estimates showed that there may be 17 to 20 ball mills involving 190 people in gold panning now in Didipio, all extensively using mercury.

However, local government unit’s (LGU) ability to regulate use of mercury or illegal small scale mining remains to be questionable after the Local Government Act of 1991 transferred this law enforcement power from the DENR to the LGU. This is believed to have caused serious disasters, taking a toll on many lives in small scale mines in Diwalwal, Compostela Valley.

NVSU is set in July to conduct a phase 2 of the study which will involve analysis of mercury content in crabs and fishes. It will also test water from other sites for content of mercury and heavy metal in rivers outside of Didipio - as part of its contribution to environmental conservation in the province.

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Didipio Project Will Not Sacrifice Precious Trees

Didipio Project will not sacrifice precious trees

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Letter to the Editor in response to the news article titled “Bishop airs fear of S. Leyte tragedy repeat in Vizcaya if officials okay operation” written by Bingo Cadabona, which appeared in the Manila Bulletin on February 3, 2004.

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February 3, 2004

Mr. Tony Antonio
Editor-Provincial Bulletin Section
Manila Bulletin

Dear Sir:

Please let me give some comments on the news item “Bishop airs fear of S. Leyte tragedy repeat in Vizcaya if officials okay operation” by Bingo Cadabona, which was carried in yesterday’s issue of your esteemed newspaper:

1. It is grossly unfair for Bishop Ramon Villena to suggest that thousands of trees would be cut and precious hills would be cut once mining operation is allowed in Nueva Vizcaya, particularly the Didipio Project of Climax-Arimco Mining Corporation in Barangay Didipio, Kasibu. The cut and fill mining method of CAMC would have the barest use of timber, as the mine support would rely on the fill materials of mill tailings mixed with cement. Hence, there is no fear for the sacrifice of our precious trees with the implementation of the Didipio Project. It must be noted at this point that a larger part of Didipio (including the 975 hectares Didipio Project area) has been logged over during the logging operations in the ‘70s and ‘80s before the company could even set foot in the area. And this was aggravated by the non-systematic hydraulicking mining method employed by gold panners. It was the company’s settlement in Didipio that injected hope to reforestation with the company’s maintenance of a nursery and implementation of a continuing reforestation program.

2. There is, indeed, an alarming rate of deforestation in the Didipio Valley. But this is due to kaingin farming and not by any mining activity. Pushed by the hard economic times and a growing population, more and more residents of Didipio resort to kaingin for livelihood. A brief trek to Didipio and you will feel sorry at the patches of forestlands that are burned to give way for citrus plantations or cash crop farms. What is even sorrier is that the cut trees are not even sawn into lumber but are just left to rot, as if purposely to become fertilizer to the soil? This is understandable as it would be costly and needing hard labor to haul the lumber, anyway.

This is not unknown to Bishop Villena, as he visited Didipio Valley one time last year, apart, of course, from the report of his personnel who visit the area from time to time. Any moment now, I am sure that Bishop Villena could present a game plan to stop the further forest destruction in Didipio and prevent a possible repeat of the Southern Leyte Tragedy in Nueva Vizcaya. And it would be an ideal set-up if the Diocese of Bayombong could team up with the DENR and the LGU concerned for the purpose.

But the whole point is that the Didipio Project would, actually, be an indirect solution to minimize kaingin farming rather than a cause of forest denudation. With a lot of job opportunities offered by the mining operation, people need no longer burn the forest for livelihood.

3. The Didipio Project is expected to enhance the farming industry in the Didipio Valley contrary to what is being spread that the mine will destroy the agricultural livelihood. With the opening and maintenance of a road network, the agricultural products from the area can readily reach better market and get better selling price. The mine community would even be an immediate market in itself. While the possible damages due to pollution of river systems are valid concerns, these are provided with measures to mitigate, if not totally arrest, the possible effects. These are spelled out in the Environmental Management Plan provided for the Didipio Project.

It is fervently hoped that the media would find time to learn about the details of the Didipio Project and, thereafter, provide some space for a glimpse of the environmental program. It would not mean being bias in favor of the mining company. Rather, it will be in pursuit of fair journalism where all concerns are presented. As one paper aptly puts, it would be “news as it should be, the good, the bad and the ugly”.

Thank you and more power!

Very truly yours,

Benedict Gapongli
Mining Engineer
Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Region 02





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Didipio Project Environmentally Yours: Environment

Pictures courtesy of Ramoncito Gozar

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Environmental Inspection Promotes Environmental Awareness and Best Practices Among Employees and Contractors

Environmental Inspection Promotes Environmental Awareness and Best Practices Among Employees and Contractors, By: Moises Dimalia

Consistent with the policy to conduct its business with positive regard for the management of the environment and well being of its immediate community, OceanaGold’s Didipio Gold-Copper Project is currently implementing Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program. A regular inspection in all work areas is part of the strategies to meet the objective of this program which is to comply and if possible, exceed all environmental standards and regulations.

The Environmental Quality Monitoring Team of the Sustainability Department conducts regular inspections to ensure that all activities of the Company and its contractors work towards protecting the environment. It also helps the Company maintain compliance on regulatory requirements and avoid unnecessary environmental impacts.

Currently, environmental key parameters are included in a checklist which is used during inspections and these include waste water management, solid waste management, toxic and hazardous waste management and other environmental concerns.

Under the water waste management, the Team inspects if there is enough wastewater containment like mud pit/settling ponds and if wastes in the accommodation, camp sites and offices contained or treated before discharge to water bodies.

Solid waste management is included in the checklist. The Team inspects whether wastes are collected and segregated properly and if there are garbage pit for disposal of residual wastes.

Another parameter is the management of waste oil, hydrocarbon spillages, toxic and hazardous substances which are inspected in all maintenance and motor pool areas and drill sites. The Team ensures that there are labeled containers for waste oil; oil and fuel containers are in good condition and not leaking and have secondary containment system like bund walls; accidental release or spill of fuel, oil and other hazardous materials are collected and managed; and equipment and other machines are in good condition with no excessive oil leaks. There are also hazardous substances which are controlled and restricted by the environmental regulations that should be used properly.

If solid and liquid wastes are poorly managed, they can bring potential environmental amenity and visual impacts into the community. Similarly, hazardous substances if poorly managed can contaminate both the soil and water components of the environment and pose health risks to people.

The Environmental Department implements soil erosion control measures including minimizing disturbance of natural ecosystems by conducting inspections at construction sites and at main and access roads and other mine facilities. Erosion control measures like diversion of water runoff away from disturbed areas, silt fencing including planting of various species is also undertaken to control erosion from disturbed areas.

All these environmental parameters are monitored and checked regularly to comply with the Company’s commitment to environment protection.

Meanwhile, the environment manager or superintendent initially conducts environmental orientation on key environmental issues to all employees and contractors. In addition, service contractors are required to submit an Environmental Management Plan on how they proceed and conduct their activities without harming the environment.

There are instances where some employees and contractors forget or overlook what has been discussed during orientation or what has been stated in their Environmental Management Plans. Regular inspections are important to ensure that employees and contractors are aware of the possible impact of their activities on the environment. This will enable them to implement the necessary actions to control or mitigate their environmental impacts.

A part of the follow up to an environmental inspection is the preparation of a corrective action report (CAR) which is issued to the concerned department or contractor. Upon discovery of an environmental nonconformance or concern, the following procedures are undertaken to address such non-conformance:

1. The concerned department is issued a CAR to address the non-conformance. In the CAR, the description or details of the non-conformance is clearly stated, approved and signed by the environment head.

2. The concerned department/contractor/process owner also has to state the actions they will take to address any nonconformance including the target completion date.

3. The environmental inspector follows-up the status of the agreed corrective action on the target completion date. When completed, the CAR is closed. It remains open if the agreed corrective action is not completed or no action was taken. In this case, the concerned department/contractor has to state another target completion date to be asked again by the environmental inspector or be issued with another CAR.

4. All inspection and CARs are filed on the registry at the Company’s Environmental Department.

All these activities are undertaken to help promote environmental awareness among employees and contractors and improve practices which have potential impacts to all components of the environment. Thus, these will optimize the Company’s commitment in the protection of the environment, strengthen compliance to regulatory requirements, and improve the Company’s public image by its commitment to protecting the environment.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

The Company views the disregarding of a CAR as a serious breach of company policy. If a CAR is ignored, the concerned person (be it employee or contractor) is formally warned. Should the warning go unheeded, the failure to comply may result in the person concerned being dismissed by his/her manager.

Didipio Project Environmentally Yours: Oceanagold Joins the World in Celebrating Earth Day 2008

Oceanagold Joins the World in Celebrating Earth Day 2008 - By: Oceanagold's Chester James de Leon

It was in the year 1970 when the former United States senator Gaylord Nelson founded a modern environmental movement, “EARTH DAY”. Since the early stage of Earth Day, the idea was to force the issue of environment protection into the attention of officials by inspiring them to address the problems of rapid environmental degradation. This movement, which is celebrated every 22nd of April, continued up to the present and this time it was observed by approximately 175 countries around the world, including the Philippines. It is being coordinated by the nonprofit Earth Day Network who revealed that the celebration is presently the most celebrated holiday in the world, supported by over half billion individuals annually.

The Earth Day theme for 2008, “A Call for Climate,” focuses on the importance of addressing global warming. It persuades politicians around the world to create laws and regulations that control and stop activities that contribute to global warming, and to encourage projects that uplift the present environmental condition.

Being a mining company that realizes and prioritizes the importance of mitigating the environmental impacts of our operations, we have shown our commitment in preserving and protecting the earth through our mitigating measures and projects. We also make sure that in whatever ways we can, we support all international and national environmental celebrations and movements, which include Earth Day.

OceanaGold’s Sustainability Department which is managed by Lucy Exconde chose transplanting of balled trees as the main activity of the company during the Earth Day 2008 celebration. The activity was chosen to promote forest protection and reforestation since woodlands act as natural “heat sinks” which reduce the effects of global warming to the earth. OceanaGold is aware that every year, the area covered by forest in the Philippines is continuously declining, which is why the Company is committed to preserving and increasing the vegetation within the project vicinity.

The balled trees are salvaged from the proposed accommodation site of OceanaGold before the actual development of the said area, showing one of the company’s environmental ideals – “every tree counts”. Tree balling involves manual or mechanical digging of a tree with its root system and soil, called root ball, still intact.

Species which were balled from the accommodation area include fruit trees (pomelo, mango) and fast growing species (narra, mahogany, and melina). The transplanting activity was participated by majority of our employees and managers headed by General Manager Jake Foronda. Contractors and subcontractors of the company have also shown their support through their involvement in the transplanting activity.

More environmental enhancement programs are undertaken as OceanaGold works together with the whole world in celebrating the environment month.

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