Fourteen technical personnel from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Central and Regional Offices Nos. III, IVB, V, VI, XI, XIII, and CAR, headed by Engr. Rodolfo Velasco, Jr., Chief of the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division, participated in the special program conducted by the Mine Reclamation Corporation (MIRECO) entitled “Mine Hazard Prevention/Reclamation Technology and Policy Exchange Program” from December 15-21, 2016 in South Korea.
The objective of the program is to promote and showcase best practices in the conservation of energy/mineral resources, improve environmental protection and strengthen mutual technical cooperation in the field of mine reclamation between the Philippines and South Korea through MIRECO.
MIRECO is a quasi government organization founded in 2006 that specializes in mine reclamation and mining area development.
The MGB has maintained its linkage with MIRECO since 2006 through several Memoranda of Understanding. Currently, there is an ongoing review of a new Memorandum of Agreement between the two agencies to include various projects on mine reclamation/rehabilitation such as establishment of mine hazard management policy/system, strengthening partnership in the field of risk assessment and capacity building through technical trainings.
The delegates participated in lectures on mine reclamation technology and special mine reclamation policies. Field visits were also conducted in abandoned mine areas that were converted into different post land uses such as Gwang-meong cave (underground gold mine transformed into a museum and historical site), Kangwon Land (coal mine reclaimed into a five-star hotel and casino) and Samtan Art Mine (coal mine converted into an art museum). The group also visited the Active Water Treatment Facility maintained by MIRECO in the closed coal mine of Hamtae.
With this special program and the continuing cooperation with MIRECO, MGB hopes to improve and strengthen its mine rehabilitation policies and environmental programs.
By: Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division
The MGB delegates and MIRECO executives (L-R) Engr. Joel Balquiedra (MGB RO No. IVB), Mr. Hyun-Yong Cho (MIRECO), Mr. Ralph Vasquez (MGB CO), Engr. Roy Collamar (MGB RO No. V), Engr. Johnny Matias (MGB RO No. VI), Mr. Noel Angeles (MGB RO NO. XI), Engr. Jun Young Jang (MIRECO Deputy Director), Dr. Tae Heok Kim (MIRECO Director), Engr. Bernard Bitanga (MGB CO), Mr. Seung-Gwon Baik (MIRECO Director General), Dr. Seung Han Baek (MIRECO Director) Engr. Rodolfo Velasco, Jr. (MGB CO), Engr. Lauro Garcia, Jr. (MGB RO No. III), Ms. Enjie Pacillos (MGB RO No. XIII), Engr. Robert Glicer Domingo (MGB CO), Engr. Erwin Bautista (MGB CO), Mr. Gilbert Aquino (MGB CO), Mr. Resty Gomez (MGB CO), Engr. Paul Flores (MGB CAR), Sung-Eun Lim (MIRECO Manager).
MGB delegates at the Active Water Treatment Plant in Hamtae.
The MGB delegates at the Gwang-meong Cave, a closed underground gold mine transformed into a museum and
historical site.
The group poses in front of the “Miner and Daughter” statue, a special landmark in honor of the coal miners in the
once-busy coal mine in Kangwon Land.