BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya (July 12)—A British mining firm here has conducted over the weekend its environmental monitoring activities in Runruno village and neighboring communities encouraging the public to be part of safeguarding the environment.
James Carmichael, FCF Minerals Corporation country manager, said the company is committed to the implementation of projects and programs in a showcase of care for the environment and the people of the host and neighboring communities.
Runruno village in this town hosts the multibillion peso FCF Minerals Corp., a London-based mining company that operates the Runruno Gold and Molybdenum Project.
It is among the four mining companies in the Philippines issued by the national government with a Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) under the Mining Act of 1995.
Carmichael said the company’s Mine Environmental Protection and Enhancement Office team is regularly conducting environmental monitoring activities pertinent to air, dust and water qualities particularly effluent, surface and groundwater.
“We have a Waste Management Program (WMP) in place that aims to reduce the volume of the solid waste stream through the implementation of waste reduction and recycling programs,” he said.
He also noted that all waste materials classified as hazardous are safely segregated and placed at the hazardous waste yard that was established for this purpose.
“These waste materials are being transported, treated and disposed of by a Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau-accredited transporter,” Carmichael said.
He appealed to the public particularly in Runruno and its surrounding villages to be part of protecting the environment because “proper segregation of hazardous waste is an utmost responsibility of everyone.”