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 Source: Mines and Geosciences Bureau 2012 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) Perth, Australia 2015

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 Perth, Australia 2015

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) Perth, Australia 2015

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 Perth, Australia 2015

”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. Perth, Australia 2015

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 Perth, Australia 2015

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) Perth, Australia 2015

Demonstration on the application of mycorhiza on roots of seedlings prior to planting in mined-out areas at HMC Perth, Australia 2015

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) Perth, Australia 2015

Geo-tagging of plants in the established Ecobelt at Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC) for easy location of samples Perth, Australia 2015

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 Perth, Australia 2015

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)