Mining firm pursues projects to protect environment

Manila, Philippines - An official of OceanaGold (Phils.) Mining, Inc. said the mining firm is actively involved in a number of community and humanitarian programs, with particular efforts in environment and reforestation, clean water provision, infrastructure, livelihood and training programs, as well as numerous employment opportunities.

“We are happy that the leaders of the Didipio Community Development Association, Inc. (DCDAI) continue to be our partners in our effort to pursue our commonly-shared objective of sustainable development,” said Chito Gozar, OceanaGold vice president for communication and external affairs.

The DCDAI is a community-based group composed of the different sectors of Barangay Didipio in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya,  where OceanaGold’s mining firm is located. The sectors include the tribal council, education, cooperatives, people’s organizations and religious and professional groups.

Leaders of the group have earlier expressed optimism that OceanaGold’s operation, which is expected to start in the first quarter of 2013, “will stir up economic activities in the province.”

 “We are reiterating our unwavering support for OceanaGold mining project which would benefit not only the people in our village and neighboring areas in terms of jobs and business opportunities, but the whole province as well,” they said.

According to Gozar, even before it starts  operation,  OceanaGold has already been implementing reforestation projects where it has so far planted over 130,000 trees. “We are likewise undertaking forest protection and other environmental programs in the area which are also in line with our goal of sustainable growth and development,” he said.

Gozar said OceanaGold is also actively involved in a number of community and humanitarian programs in the local communities, with particular efforts in health and medicine, clean water provision and education.

“We have been conducting regular medical and dental missions in Barangay Didipio and its surrounding communities; has recently upgraded  the water systems as its mine site which it has funded through the DCDAI; we have been providing scholarship programs to deserving students in the community and likewise, we are currently undertaking other projects that would benefit the communities and indigenous people in the said barangay,” he added.