Environment plans of 9 mines get DENR okay

CEBU, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has approved the 2013 Annual Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programs of the nine operating mines and quarries in Central Visayas. Of the nine, six are in Cebu.

They are Carmen Copper Corporation in Toledo City; Apo Cement Corporation and Apo Land and Quarry Corporation, JLR Construction and Aggregates Inc., and Quarry Ventures Philippines Inc., all in Naga City; Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc. and Solid Earth Development Corporation in San Fernando town; and the Philippine Mining Service Corporation and Dolomite Mining Corporation in Alcoy town.

Loreto Alburo, MGB-7 regional director, said that the AEPEP is anchored and implemented to achieve the environmental management objectives, criteria and commitments including protection and rehabilitation of the disturbed environment.

Citing Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, Alburo said that such program is based on the approved EPEP and it shall include, but shall not limited to, exploration, development, utilization, rehabilitation, regeneration, revegetation, and reforestation of mineralized areas.

In statement, Alburo added that it shall include slope stabilization of mined-out areas, waste dumps, tailings covered areas, aquaculture, watershed development, and water conservation and socio-economic development.

Alburo said that EPEP is the description of the expected and considered acceptable impacts and shall set out the life-of-mine environmental protection and enhancement strategies based on best practices in environmental management in mining.

Alburo explained every contractor shall carry out an EPEP covering the period of the mineral agreement or permit as stipulated in the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

He also emphasized that EPEP is not a replacement for the requirement of environmental compliance certificate. (FREEMAN)