The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) presented its responsible mining advocacy programs in a lecture series entitled “Kartilya Sessions: Responsible Mining in the Philippines” held at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) Headquarters in Pasig City.
The said lecture series aimed to develop and enhance socio-political awareness of the society on various relevant issues in mining. One of the issues discussed was the complexity of mining activities in the country involving an array of environmental, economic, social and political issues.
Engr. Teodorico A. Sandoval, Supervising Science Research Specialist at the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division of the MGB, presented the Safety and Health, Environmental, and Social Development (SHES) programs being implemented by mining companies pursuant to the Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, and DENR Administrative Order No. 2010-21, or its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations.
Engr. Sandoval highlighted the importance of the implementation of SHES programs and progressive rehabilitation at every stage of mining operation and presented the successful progressive rehabilitation undertaken by mining companies in the country.
Engr. Sandoval also discussed the three most common types of surface mining in the Philippines, namely: (a) Open Pit Mining, which is applicable to extraction of near surface/shallow ore deposits such as gold and copper; (b) Contour Mining, which is applicable to fairly flat shallow ore deposits such as nickel and chromite; and (c) Quarrying, which is applicable to the extraction of non-metallic mineral deposits such as aggregates, limestone, sand and gravel.
The lecture series was held on July 27, 2018 in Ortigas Center, Pasig City and was organized by DAP’s Institutional Marketing Center.
By: Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division
Engr. Teodorico A. Sandoval, Supervising Science Research Specialist, MGB-MSESDD, discussing responsible mining in the Philippines
Participants in the DAP Kartilya Sessions composed of some personnel from MGB-MSESDD, private sector and student representatives from various universities