Mining companies in Caraga Region have implemented the 2015 Annual Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (AEPEP) in compliance with Section 171 of DENR Administrative Order No. 2010-21, the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. Grouped according to company location by province, below are the financial accomplishments of mining companies:
|
Name of Company |
Annual Accomplishment |
|
Surigao del Norte |
|
|
1. Pacific Nickel Phils., Inc.
|
Php 14,555,044.96 |
|
2. Hinatuan Mining Corporation – Talavera Nickel Project
|
Php 59,976,288.54 |
|
3. Greenstone Resources Corporation
|
Php 25,376,062.00 |
|
4. Adnama Mining Resources, Inc.
|
Php 19,612,068.04 |
|
5. Taganito Mining Corporation
|
Php 208,111,446.72 |
|
6. Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation
|
Php 2,173,762,532.57 |
|
7. Platinum Group Metals Corporation
|
Php 110,404,456.00 |
|
Surigao del Sur |
|
|
1. CTP Construction and Mining Corporation – Adlay Project
|
Php 106,892,387.70 |
|
2. CTP Construction and Mining Corporation – Dahican Project
|
Php 20,350,363.44 |
|
3. Carrascal Nickel Corporation
|
Php 71,757,312.00 |
|
4. Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation
|
Php 50,266,111.50 |
|
Agusan del Norte |
|
|
1. Agata Mining Ventures, Inc.
|
Php 27,824,159.55 |
|
2. SR Metals Inc.
|
Php 55,915,893.14 |
|
Agusan del Sur |
|
|
1. Philsaga Mining Corporation
|
Php 36,135,943.12 |
|
2. Mindanao Mineral Processing and Refining Corporation
|
Php 118,271,566.33 |
|
Province of Dinagat Islands |
|
|
1. Cagdianao Mining Corporation
|
Php 18,987,997.75 |
|
2. Libjo Mining Corporation
|
Php 21,001,773.90 |
|
3. Oriental Vision Mining Philippines Corporation
|
Php 12,368,449.00 |
|
4. Oriental Synergy Mining Corporation
|
Php 2,754,058.92 |
|
5. Century Peak Corporation – Casiguran
|
Php 12,272,123.08 |
|
6. Century Peak Corporation – Rapid City
|
Php 13,553,478.10 |
|
7. AAMPHIL Natural Resources Exploration & Development Corporation – Parcel 1
|
Php 6,483,750.00 |
|
8. AAMPHIL Natural Resources Exploration & Development Corporation – Parcel 2B
|
Php 45,821,728.00 |
|
9. Wellex Mining Corporation – Parcel 1
|
Php 18,443,712.00 |
|
10. Wellex Mining Corporation – Parcel 2
|
Php 18,966,076.00 |
Based on DAO No. 2010-21, a mining company shall allocate for its annual environment-related expense a percentage based on the AEPEP which may approximate a minimum of three to five percent (3-5%) of its direct mining and milling costs depending on the environment/geologic condition, nature and scale of operations and technology employed.
Nickel mining companies in Surigao del Norte allotted a huge part of the AEPEP budget to the maintenance (desilting) of settling ponds to prevent siltation of nearby water bodies; water spraying to minimize excessive dust emission; and re-shaping/backfilling of declared mined out areas as initial steps to mine rehabilitation, among others.
On the other hand, gold mining companies like Greenstone Resources Corporation in Tubod and Mainit, Surigao del Norte and Philsaga Mining Corporation in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur spent a large amount of their budget on desilting and maintenance of the settling ponds; water treatment of the tailings storage facility; and water spraying of haul roads.
Mineral processing plants like Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation in Claver, Surigao del Norte and Mindanao Mineral Processing and Refining Corporation in Rosario, Agusan del Sur allocated much of their annual budget to construction of tailings storage facility (TSF); tailings treatment and wastewater neutralization; scrubber operation and maintenance; and construction of hillside channel to allow efficient water run-off, among others.
Caraga mining companies contr
ibuted to the National Greening Program and Adopt A Mining Forest Program by allocating a part of its AEPEP budget to production of seedlings, revegetation of mined out areas, planting even outside their mining area, seedling donation, maintenance of vegetated areas, among others. As of 2015, most of the companies have accomplished their NGP target and was focused on the maintenance of planted areas.
Mining companies located in Agusan del Norte have very satisfactory performances in the implementation of their AEPEP based on the financial and physical (validated on field) accomplishments. Attesting thereto, SR Metals Inc. bagged the 2015 Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) and Agata Mining Ventures, Inc. won the Titanium Award, both for Surface Mining Operation Category, during the 62nd Annual Mine Safety and Environment Conference held last November 17-20, 2015 in Baguio City.
Even with the dramatic decline in commodity price, mining companies that fell short of their accomplishments are encouraged to improve their performances and efficiently implement their environmental protection measures and strategies to avoid consequent penalties and mining-related problems in the future.