RRPP, MGP submit plan to rehabilitate mine after operation

The Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project (RRPP) in Rapu-Rapu, Albay and the Filminera Resources Corporation/Philippine Gold Processing and Refining Corporation (FRC/PGPRC) in Masbate recently submitted their proposed Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plans (FMRDPs) to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-V (MGB-V) that will serve as a guide on how to rehabilitate mine out areas after their companies cease operations.

In the proposed plan of the RRPP, the MGB-V through the MRFC (Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee) required the former and the preparer (of the plan) to conduct another consultation dialogue with the Direct Impact Barangays (DIB) to identify further the land use after the mine life so that it will be further incorporated into a new revised plan, which includes the following aspects, to wit: 1) Final Mine Rehabilitation Plan to identify the activities and research required to address on going rehabilitation and include strategies to address long-term stability and sustainability and time frames for the assessment of rehabilitation activities; 2) Social Plan shall include employee transition programs such as job retraining and education assistance, job search/placement, etc. as well as possible transfer of the management of some facilities to LGUs or communities to generate income. Financial and or technical assistance to ensure livelihood projects established during operation should also be maintained; 3) Maintenance and Monitoring Plan should be developed and designed to demonstrate that the agreed completion criteria have been met and shall include plans for remedial action/s where monitoring demonstrates that completion criteria are unlikely to be met. The MMP should identify key aspects of the closure process that should be monitored; 4) The MESD of the MGB CO to conduct its own technical evaluation of the plan which could provide further inputs for the RRPP preparer; and 5) For the proposed plan be conditionally approved.

Pending approval of the plan, RRPP has already deposited a total of P71, 804,692.27 for the proposed plan as of June 2010 in a Government bank and committed to submit the revised plan by the middle of this year once the above plans are achieve.

Filminera Resources Corporation/Philippine Gold Processing and Refining Corporation

The FMRDP of the FRC/PGPRC, on the other hand, includes recommendation from the MRFC to consider the requests of the DIBs for the following land use: 1) mined out areas should not be filled-up with materials as they will be used for livelihood by small scale miners; 2) Tailings Storage facilities be converted into rice fields and agricultural projects; 3) the division dam/diversion dam be converted into aqua/eco-tourism spot; 4) rehabilitate mangrove areas; and 5) turn-over of chapel.

The MRFC also advised the company to revise the cost of the plan to include the costs for 10-year monitoring including 3^rd party commissioning, laboratory, maintenance of monitoring equipment, commissioning of mine infrastructures; social plan; and 2 or 3 years prior to actual mine closure, the DIBs should again be consulted to review the plan.

Both plans will be further deliberated upon by the Contingent Liability and Rehabilitation Fund (CLRF) Committee for incorporation of all recommendations. (Foresight July-Dec. 2010 issue)