BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya (October 7, 2023)—In preparation for its eventual mine closure, FCF Minerals Corporation on October 4, 2023 visited two mining operations in Zamboanga del Norte that have already reached their end of mine life.
Lorne Harvey, FCF Minerals general manager for operations, said members of FCF’s Program Management Committee (PCM) of the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) have seen first-hand various stages of implementing final mine rehabilitation and decommissioning plan (FMRDP) in those mine firms.
Harvey said the visit was part of FCF Minerals’ FMRDP updating this year for their eventual mine closure in Barangay Runruno in this town.
During the visit, PCM-SDMP members joined representatives of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) forming a team.
The PCM-MGB team first visited the Philex Gold Philippines Inc. (PGPI) Sibutad Project located in Barangay Libay in Sibutad town and was welcomed by the staff led by Minardo Batoon Jr., PGPI Corporate Manager for Environment and Sulidario Catubig, PGPI Project Officer-in-Charge.
Catubig discussed the history and their short commercial operation due to factors caused by the 1997 Asian economic depression and the challenges experienced. She also shared their best practices in rehabilitating their mine footprints because of the geologic condition of the area.
The other mining company the team visited was the TVI Resource Development Incorporated (TVIRD) Canatuan Mine located in Barangay Tabayo in Siocon town whose Mineral Production Sharing Agreement or MPSA permit expired in 2021.
Welcoming the team were Christopher Tolentino, TVIRD Environment supervisor and Zosimo Casquejo Jr., TVIRD administrative officer. They shared their challenges highlighting the lessons they have learned in the implementation of their FMRDP being the first mining company in the country to implement the said plan.
FCF Minerals Corp. and the MGB thanked PGPI and TVIRD for the learnings they had imparted during the visit which will be of great help in improving the company’s closure plan.
The team also thanked MGB Region 9 headed by Regional Director Engr. Hernanie Abdon, Engr. Ramon Alforte, Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division (MSESDD) chief, and Regienald Hebron, MSESDD Science Research specialist, for their support throughout their mine tour in Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9).