IBALANGIBOG SA BILOG NA MUNDO, ORAGON AN BICOLANO!
THE NEWSWEEK
VOL. 1 NO. 18 AN INTRA-COMPANY OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RAPU-RAPU POLYMETALLIC PROJECT
Congressman Jose Solis, chairman of congressional Com-
mittee on Natural Resources and his secretariat visited the mine
site on October 27, 2006. Congressman Solis is the 2nd District
Representative of Sorsogon and the Vice-Chairman of the Special
Committee on Bicol Growth Area that is conducting an investiga-
tion regarding the chemical spillage at the mine site of the com-
pany.
Along with the congressman were three staff members and 10
journalists from nine local and national media firms: DRZS, DZMS,
DZGB, DZRH, DWRC, DWLH, News Focus, Ibalon Times and
The Manila Times.
The residents of barangays pushing for the resumption of mining
operation welcomed the visitors. Barangay Captains Ebuenga of
Binosawan, Bueno of Linao, Asuncion of Malobago and Belardo of
Pagcolbon were also present. Rapu-Rapu Honorable Councilors
Quacky Bolaños, Giovanni Guapo and Marino Barranda Jr. also
came to support the company.
Company managers and EMB Director Gilbert Gonzales and MGB
Director Rey Juan faced the committee and journalists in the pres-
entation of programs and facilities implemented since the begin-
ning of the test run.
The congressman was inquisitive
during the presentations. He also
wanted to know and settle once
and for all whether or not the
company is responsible for the
alleged mercury contamination
that reached the province of Sorsogon.
Mr. Roger Corpus presented the mining operations. He explained
the details of the Pit, Tailings storage facility, waste dump build up,
newly constructed spillway, environmental ponds and wetland.
KAYA TA AN RESPONSABLENG PAGMIMINA SA RAPU-RAPU!
Oct. 23 - Nov. 5, 2006
SVP Teody Marquez expounded on financial matters. He said that
the company is making tough management decisions due to lim-
ited funds. The pressing situation is brought about by a year of ex-
penses without financial returns due to the suspension of produc-
tion. The company already spent almost P800 million to upgrade
its environmental management system.
Company managers assured that the controversial incident last
year will never happen again because the tailings dam now main-
tains a 10 meter freeboard. Construction is on-going to reach the
designed height of 170mrl to provide enough space for tailings for
the duration of six years of operation.
The processing operation was explained by Cheryl Martin, senior
metallurgist. She discussed the base metals operation, the re-
agents used and detoxification process. She explained that the
company never used mercury for its processing operations.
Presentations proceeded until noon time. Ms. Be Pacis, manager
of environment department, gave a factual recount of the “spill”
last year. She also updated the visitors of the company activities
in relation to environmental protection. Comprehensive data gath-
ered from the regular monitoring of vital waterways and ponds
were also explained. Continued on Page 2
The day was sunny and warm, the sea
was calm and clear. It was a perfect day for
scuba diving at Pasig Reef in Legaspi City.
There were a total of 49 divers and among
them were three students aged from 12 to 16,
and four ladies. The rest were members of the
following participating organizations: the
Legaspi Jaycees, The Rotary Club of Legaspi
City, Bicol Scuba Divers Foundation Inc.,
Navy’s Special Warfare Group, Quota Interna-
tional, and RRPI/RRMI/LPI. The latter was rep-
resented by Atty. Sarge Sarmiento who just re-
cently completed his PADI scuba diving certifi-
cation course and the son of VP Cecille Calleja,
Yusuf, who is a certified Junior PADI .
The Mayor of the City of Legaspi, Noel Rosal, a certified PADI diver and
a strong supporter of the clean-up project, was at the Boulevard of
Legaspi pier to greet the participants and to pause for some photo
shots behind the streamers announcing the project and its main spon-
sors. He was not able to participate in the clean-up drive due to several
meetings scheduled that day. Legaspi City Vice-Mayor Rico Salazar
was one of the key divers that morning. He is a seasoned diver and the
project chairman of Jaycees for the clean-up.
The day’s efforts yielded 287 Crown of Thorns. Accord-
ing to Joe Roco of DENR, one of this sea star destroys
approximately 0.6 square meter of coral reef a day. Us-
ing this as the basis for computation, it was estimated
that the clean up dive by this group saved approxi-
mately 172.2 square meters of coral reef a day or
62,853 square meters (approximately 6.2853 hectares)
of coral reef a year from destruction by the crown of ! "#
thorns.
In the evening, the day’s clean up dive was covered as a major event
on the 6pm news of the local television, including an interview of the
two youngest scuba divers, Yusuf Taufique and Chino Roces. Prior to
this news, Sarge Sarmiento was interviewed at length regarding Lafay-
ette and file pictures of the mine and the plant were shown.
Vol. 1 No. 18 THE NEWSWEEK Oct. 23 - Nov. 5, 2006

RRPI/RRMI donated 9,000 nipa shingles worth P50,000 to the Mu-

nicipality of Camalig as part of the Milenyo Bayanihan on November 2, • Quite but intelligent and observant • High-spirited
2006. • Outwardly stern but actually considerate • Good at sports and fond of traveling
• Does not forgive easily and can be vin- • Bored by detail and vulnerable in rela-
The simple turn-over ceremony was participated by Municipal Mayor dictive tionships
Romel Muñoz, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Yolly • Not put off by hard work • Doesn’t marry young
Guanzon and Lourdes Llana of Camalig social welfare and develop-
ment office. VP Joey Cubias, CARE Officers Rene Castro, Tony De- !
ligiro, Mcken Belgica and Nelson Sto. Domingo represented the com- "
pany.

! ! ' (

% (
! ! ) ( %
"# &
$ %
! &
# # ! # $%
A total of 45 households identified by the local DSWD will benefit from
said donation. They will be provided with 200 nipa shingles each,
enough for a typical rural house. Encircle your answers. Words are arranged in the following order:
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office identified the G E O S C I E N T I S T P A F
municipality of Camalig as most in need of relief. Rene Castro super- R I S K M I N E P R E A Y D O
vised the flow of the activity from its conception to the turn-over cere- I K J E A M U L C H A P R I I
mony.
N K E W D A D A M R N P I T S
The main objective of Melinyo Bayanihan is the reconstruction and re-
D A G A B I O N S E N D T T
habilitation of Albay province. As of today, hundreds of families bene-
fited from the said project. I N K C A L M C E N T R E U E

N K I C O N C E N T R A T E S

Cong. Solis...from page 1 G A O T O T G U N S U G A R O

In the afternoon, the visitors toured the plant, mine and environ- D R A W B A R H Y T S A D A U
mental ponds. Back to the office, the Social Development and B E D R O C K G S H A F T N N
Management Program (SDMP) was presented by Rene Castro, R E X A N T H R A C I T E J D
CARE manager. He explained the programs for the communities
O N E N D I G A R T S T I C R
and various stakeholders including the coastal communities of
K I N G P I N T O N N P L O O
mainland Albay and Sorsogon.
E X A L T O V E R B U R D E N

N A P E M B A L E L E O C B E

1. frame of iron bars that holds fuel or food in stove (5 letters)

First one who cracks the puzzle wins a box of Dunkin’ Donuts. Hand in your printed Island
2. metal bearing mineral (3)
3. funds to complete rehabilitation if operator fails to do it (4)
4. unit used to measure weight of copper (3)
5. vertical mine opening in tunneling method (5)
Newsweek with your answers to Kay of CARE Dept. or Kareen of HRAS Dept.

6. hard coal (10)

During the open forum, journalists from Sorsogon were eager to
know if their province could also share in the benefits given to Al-
bay. SVP Marquez replied positively, saying that Sorsogon will
benefit through the SDMP such as medical missions, scholarships
and supplemental feeding.
The employees are expectant that the congressman’s visit will re-
sult in a positive recommendation to the committee and will be
helpful in the granting of Permanent Lifting Order (PLO). They are
confident that the PLO will be granted soon and hoping for a suc-
cessful production before the end of this year.
7. working area of surface mine (3)
8. solid unweathered rock beneath surface deposits of soil (7)
9. Mining ____, Phil. Law on Mining (3)
10. plant residue that help retain soil moisture, (5)
11. measure of acidity (2)
12. rock material that covers ore deposit (10)
13. Permanent Lifting Order (3)
14. Weighted Average Cost of Capital (4)
15. intense excitement, ecstasy (6)
16. pond where water leaves the mine site (13)
17. copper produced by RRMI/RRPI (11)
18. advocate mining, ____ -mining (3)
19. RRMI/RRPI employee LET passer (6)
20. potentially acid forming (3)
21. iron baskets filled with stones used to control siltation (7)
22. FeS2 (6)
23. long wooden shaft with pointed metal used as a weapon (5)
24. bar across the rear of a vehicle for hitching machinery (7)
25. to round up, as in rounding up cattle (7)
26. a specialist in earth science (12)
27. second stage of copper production (8)
28. exposure to the chance of injury or loss (4)
29. ____ chisel, with a cutting edge set obliquely (4)
30. horizontal mine opening in tunneling method (4)