Capability Building on Progressive Mine

Rehabilitation in Large-Scale Nickel Mining in

Caraga Region, Philippines

Presenter : Rowena P. Varela

Caraga State University
Ampayon, Butuan City 8600 Philippines
Date: 30 April 2015
 Some Facts About Mining in Caraga

• Caraga Region is the major player in the

Philippine mining industry

• Of the 28 registered nickel mines in the

Philippines, 20 operate in Caraga Region

• Nickel Mining in Caraga has a Gross Value of

PhP 27,747,761,828.15 or USD630,630,
950.64 (as of 2013)

• Paid to Phil Govt an Excise Tax of

PhP554,955,236.56 or USD12,612,619.01(as
of 2013)

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Source: Mines and Geosciences Bureau 2012
• Nickel mining adopts surface mining by stripping the mountain slopes
• Surface mining strips off the topsoil and the associated vegetation to get through to the
lateritic portion

• With mining operations undertaken in upland areas, it will further reduce forest cover,
accelerate biodiversity loss and contaminate the river systems and the sea
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 The economic contributions of the Philippine mining industry have been eclipsed
by issues (eg. unsafe mining practices, pollution, biodiversity loss, and
encroachment in ancestral lands)
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 Executive Order 79
(EO 79)

which provides for institutionalizing and implementing reforms in

the Philippine mining sector providing policies and guidelines to
ensure environmental protection and responsible mining in the
utilization of mineral resources

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 ”Every contractor shall undertake an environmental protection and
enhancement program covering the period of the mineral agreement
or permit.”

(Section 69 of the Republic Act No. 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995)

• Through this legal basis, all registered mining companies have the obligation to
observe environmental protection within and in the indirect impact areas of the
mine.

• However, with limited knowledge and skills among the mining personnel on
science-based environmental protection and rehabilitation, this mandated task
of the mining companies may not be effectively and efficiently carried out.
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 Capability Building on Mine Rehabilitation in
Large-Scale Mining in Caraga Region, Philippines

• This project focuses on building and/or enhancing the capability of

environmental managers in large-scale mining companies in Caraga
Region

• This involved conducting a formal training, with each session lasting for
3 days, and informal training in the field

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Expected Outcome:

Increased knowledge and skills on science-based mine rehabilitation

among the participants at the end of the training sessions

Activities:

• A combination of formal training and hands-on:

• Evaluation/tests on the knowledge and skills acquired by the participants

after each session
Engaging with Nickel Mining Companies
 Reconnaissance at HMC prior to
Ecobelt establishment
(Assessing the settling pond for
rehabilitation with Envi Manager, For.
Butch Sebua)

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 Demonstration on the application of
mycorhiza on roots of seedlings prior
to planting in mined-out areas at HMC

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 Soil erosion pegs established in strategic locations of the rehabilitated mined-out
areas of Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC) to measure erosion rate (left);
measuring soil erosion rate (right)
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 Geo-tagging of plants in the established
Ecobelt at Taganito Mining Corporation
(TMC) for easy location of samples

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 Taking the reading to monitor siltation in the adjoining sea to determine the effect
of the established Ecobelt at Hinatuan Mining Corporation (HMC) on corals and
seagrass beds
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 Presentation during the 2nd Mining Community Symposium & Safety Competition to
disseminate the ecobelt concept in nickel mine rehabilitation to the Caraga Chamber of Mines
 The project signage standing at Eastern 1 site of
HMC-Hinatuan Nickel Project to heighten the awareness of the local community,
LGU Officials and other stakeholders
Thank You
(for your kind attention)