1. 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: April 2015

2. 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, or USD630,630, (as of 2013)
Paid to Phil Govt an Excise Tax of PhP554,955, or USD12,612,619.01(as of 2013)
Perth, Australia 2015

3. 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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4. 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

5. 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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6. ”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 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Engaging with Nickel Mining Companies

10. Reconnaissance at HMC prior to Ecobelt establishment
(Assessing the settling pond for rehabilitation with Envi Manager, For. Butch Sebua)
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11. Demonstration on the application of mycorhiza on roots of seedlings prior to planting in mined-out areas at HMC
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12. 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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13. Geo-tagging of plants in the established Ecobelt at Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC) for easy location of samples
Perth, Australia 2015

14. 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

15. Presentation during the 2nd Mining Community Symposium & Safety Competition to disseminate the ecobelt concept in nickel mine rehabilitation to the Caraga Chamber of Mines

16. 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

17. Thank You (for your kind attention)