BY LEANDER C DOMINGO
QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya (December 1)—A group of employees from a neighboring town-based mining company has visited the operation of the London-based FCF Minerals Corporation in Runruno village here to witness the best practices in mining operations.
A subsidiary of the Australian OceanaGold Corporation, the Didipio Mine led by its president and general manager for external affairs and social performance, lawyer Joan Adaci-Cattiling, said observing best practices of another mine firm’s operation, particularly a neighbor, is a learning opportunity for its employees.
According to FCF Minerals, employees of the Didipio Mine based in the neighboring village of Didipio in Kasibu town also witnessed their best practices in the implementation of the community development program and stakeholder engagement.
Cattiling said the Didipio Mine also wanted to see the implementation of FCF Minerals’ environmental programs particularly its Mining Forest Program or MFP having been recognized as one of the best in the Philippine Mining Industry.
Headed by Operations Manager Alan Day, FCF Minerals received the Didipio Mine employees who also underwent safety induction before they were toured to the mining site with their respective escorts.
Day said the Didipio Mine employees also visited the mine site, the residual storage impoundment or RSI, and toured the process plant.
Also during the visit, there were discussions on mining forests and audio-visual presentations of the highlights of FCF programs and projects as well as activities of the social development and management program (SDMP) of FCF community relations, mine environmental protection and enhancement and occupational safety and health departments.
Day said there were queries raised by the Didipio Mine employees on FCF’s best practices in their mining operations which were tackled by the FCF officers.
On behalf of the Didipio Mine, Cattiling thanked FCF Minerals for the warm accommodation and sharing of knowledge, and experiences.
She said the Didipio Mine will again visit FCF together with their general manager and also extended an invitation to FCF to also visit them at their site in Didipio village in Kasibu town.