IBALANGIBOG SA BILOG NA MUNDO, ORAGON AN BICOLANO! KAYA TA AN RESPONSABLENG PAGMIMINA SA RAPU-RAPU!

THE NEWSWEEK
VOL. 1 NO. 10 AN INTRA-COMPANY OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RAPU-RAPU POLYMETALLIC PROJECT AUGUST 21-27, 2006

IT’S A GO FOR THE 3rd PHASE OF THE TEST RUN

On August 24, 2006, the Rapu-Rapu Processing Inc. (RRPI), re-
ceived the approval from the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) to start with the third and the final phase
of its test run. This time the processing involves the use of chemi-
cal reagents and ore-bearing materials for the production of base
metal concentrates copper and zinc.
The company hopes to be able to progressively step-up production
of copper and zinc concentrates from nil to 30% , then 60%, then
80% of capacity, until its reaches full production within the 15-day
trial period. No major difficulties are expected; the first two phases
of the trial period gave the company sufficient opportunity to test
the electro-mechanical systems in its base metal plant. The first
phase involved the use of water only; the second phase involved
the use of water and non-ore bearing materials.
The permit to continue with the third phase came only after the
company met very stringent requirements from the various govern-
ment regulatory bodies involved and which included the 15 condi-
tions set by the Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee (MRFC) and
the six conditions imposed by the Pollution Adjudication Board
(PAB). To put these in place, RRPI and Rapu-Rapu Minerals Inc.
(RRMI) added more than Php 800 million worth of environmental
and safety measures, especially in its processing plant, mining ar-
eas, and tailings storage facilities. As a result of these improve-
ments, the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project’s environmental man-
agement system can now be truly considered a showcase of respon-
sible mining in the Philippines and will perhaps become the bench-
mark by which other new mines will be appraised.

The signal to proceed with the 3rd phase was given 28 days after
the successful completion of the 2nd phase of the trial period which
ran for approximately 9 days. The company eagerly awaited this de-
cision by the DENR as it had been about 10 months since the com-
pany voluntarily stopped operations in October 31, 2005 and since
then was not allowed to resume production. It had been operating
for only three months before operations stopped.

GREENPEACE REBUFFS COMPANY

HOSPITALITY; TRESPASSES INSTEAD
On August 23, 2005,
the management and
employees of Rapu-
Rapu Minerals Inc.
(RMI) and Rapu-
Rapu Processing Inc.
(RRPI) welcomed a
delegation of Green-
peace protestors led
by Father Ino
Bugawisan. Among
those accompanying Fr. Ino were four foreign members of Greenpeace
International.

However, instead of accepting the invitation to come to the campsite

and be given a tour of the plant and facilities, the delegation declined
but only after making negative statements recorded by accompanying
press.

The next day, unknown to the company and in total disregard of rules
of courtesy and private property, the three Caucasian greenpeace
members climbed up the company’s conveyor belt and unfurled anti-
mining banners for picture taking.

In response to this incident, Sorsogon Gov. Raul Lee condemned the

DENR incident. He said that “anti-mining militants have become de-
structive and must be dealt with accordingly by authorities”.

On its part, Lafayette Philippines, Inc (LPI) is preparing legal action

against Greenpeace for trespassing and will petition for the deportation
of the offending foreigners. Bayani Agabin, LPI legal counsel and
spokesperson, said “Greenpeace has gone out of bounds in its irre-
sponsible and counter-productive photo-ops that unfortunately some
media outlets fall for.“
Vol. 1 No. 10 page 2 THE
OPERASYON MALUSOG NA BATA: RE-WEIGHING AND MEDICAL MISSION
IN BINOSAWAN, MALOBAGO, AND PAGCOLBON
Operation Timbang: Re-weighing of
children ages 0-5 years were con-
ducted in Binosawan, Malobago, and
Pagcolbon. A total of 74 children were
found to be undernourished; of these,
eight came from Pagcolbon, 28 from
Malobago & 38 from Binosawan. This
was an increase of 6 children: 5 from
Malobago and one from Binosawan
Dr. Vergara in Malobago that were considered undernourished
during the Operation Timbang held four months ago in April 2006.
Ms. Edna Homo, Municipal Health Officer was around to assist the
Barangay Health Workers: Zeferina Bolaños from Pagcolbon, Cora-
zon Echalas from Malobago, and Connie Bolaños from Binosawan.
The activities in Pagcolbon and Malobago were completed on Au-
gust 18 and in Binosawan on August 22, 2006.
As a follow-up, the undernourished children in Pagcolbon had their
medical check-up in the Emergency Clinic of the Rapu-Rapu Poly-
metallic Project last August 22. It was conducted by Dr. Hernando
Lorenzo, the company physician and assisted by Mark Errol
Galispe, the company nurse.
The company proudly congratulates the three newly hired
staff, namely: Maylene Solis, Arthur Pacunana and Euland
Turqueza for successfully passing the Philippine board ex-
aminations for Mining Engineers and Geology recently given
last August 18-24, 2006 in Manila.
All three staff landed in the top 10; Arthur and Euland placed
4th and 9th respectively in the board of Mining Engineers while
Maylene placed 7th in the Geology exams.
Arthur Dan Dacuycuy Pacunana, born in
September 17, 1981, hails from Maligaya
Tumaini, Isabela. He graduated from the
University of the Philippines last November
2005 with a degree in Bachelor of Science
in Mining Engineering. He joined the mining
department of RRMI as staff mining engi-
neer in June this year.
Euland Valencia Turqueza was born in
April 19, 1981 and comes from Caggay, Tu-
guegarao City, Cagayan. He graduated in
June this year from the University of the
Philippines with a degree in Bachelor of Sci-
ence in Engineering. He joined the mining
department of RRMI as staff mining engi-
neer immediately after graduation.
Maylene De Guzman Solis, born in April
1, 1983, is one of our newest staff, having
just very recently joined the geology depart-
ment of RRMI as Geologist this month of
August, 2006. She comes from Bagum-
bong, Caloocan City, and is a graduate of
Mapua Institute of Technology with a de-
gree in Bachelor of Science in Geology.
She graduated in July 2005.
NEWSWEEK August 21-27, 2006
On August 24, undernourished children in Malobago & Binosawan
underwent a medical-check-up in their respective barangays. Dr.
Domingo O. Vergara, Chief of the Rapu-Rapu District Hospital
(RRDH) headed the medical team which included other members
from the RRDH: Norlinda M. Competente, Pharmacist; Cristy V.
Pabelonia, Nurse; and Elizabeth L. Manago, Nutritionist/Dietician.
Additional medical team members came from the Rural Health Unit
(RHU): two Rural Health Midwives: Edna P. Malavega and Ma.
Eva P. Guianan; Christy E. Guianan, PPO; Ma. Cecille G. Bolaños,
Public Health Nurse; and Lyndon P. Rempillo, Med-Tech. The
medical check-up was conducted in Malobago in the morning. In
the afternoon the medical team went to Binosawan where they ex-
amined the children and then the adult residents.
The supplemental feeding program for the undernourished children
will be conducted by the Municipal government in cooperation with
RRPI/RRMI. It will follow the medical check-up and de-worming
activities. The daily feeding will be sustained for three months in
order for the children to get the maximum benefit from the program.
Dr. Lorenzo & Nurse Errol conducting medical check-up Re-weighing in Binosawan
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EDITORIAL BOARD Managing Editor: Cecille Calleja Con-
tributors: Roger Corpus, Gilbert Llovit, Bong Eclipse Ofel
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