MINERS PLANT TREES, TOO

(A Documentation of the Successful Greening Practices of PGPI in Negros Occidental)

We have always been proud of Philex Gold Philippines, Inc. (PGPI) – Bulawan in Barangay Nabulao, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental for its best environmental practices, particularly in greening its surroundings.

PGPI-Bulawan is one of the mining companies in the country who shows through example that mining is not altogether the antithesis to caring for and protecting the environment.

Take a look at the figures:

• 462.3959 hectares total area planted from 1995-2010
• 896,083 number of seedlings planted
• 871,760 number of surviving trees
• 97% rate of survival

(The figures is based on MGB-6 monitoring of June 2010)

PGPI has been a consistent awardee for Environmental Awards since 1998 both at the provincial and national levels:

Provincial Level:

• Finalist Tag-Amlig Award (Industry category) 1998
• Tag-Amlig Awardee (Industry Category) 2000

National Level:

• Winner,  Best Mining Forest 1998
• 2nd Runner Up Best Mining Forest 1999
• 1st Runner Up Best Mining Forest 2000
• 1st Runner Up Best Mining forest 2001
• 1st Runner Up Best Mining Forest 2002
• Winner,  Best Mining Forest 2003
• 2nd Runner Up Best Mining Forest 2004
• Winner Best Mining Forest 2005
• Winner Best Mining Forest 2006
• 2nd Runner Up Best Mining Forest 2007
• 2nd Runner Up Best Mining Forest 2008
• Special Award in Adopt A Mountain Adopt A Mining Forest Program 2008
• Winner Best Mining Forest 2009

PGPI has a mining claim of 2,268 has hectares under its approved Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) within the areas locally known as Korokan, Vista Alegre and Buri Daku that were once portions of the gold rush site of the early 80s.  Although it has a mining claim of such breadth, the company’s operational area covers only roughly 486 hectares.

The company commenced commercial operations in January 1996 and in less than five (5) years, has made a remarkable accomplishment in the local mining industry in terms of total production, safety records and environmental protection and enhancement program.

It used to have a maximum production capacity of 3,500 tons per day.  PGPI closed down on July 1, 2002 due to depletion of ore reserves and low price of gold.  It is currently undergoing a care and maintenance phase as mandated by law.

See Photos of  PGPI Greening Activities

Detailed Geohazard Mapping of Western Visayas To Start in 2011

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region VI is preparing to come up with a detailed geohazard and climate change map on a scale of 1:10,000 as compared to previous 1:50,000.  The detailed geohazard mapping will focus only on selected municipalities and cities in the region prone to landslide and flooding.

MGB regional director Leo Van Juguan said this is a follow up to last year’s activity that will cover eight local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas.

To further strengthen the program, the MGB will also identify safe relocation sites and spot areas for the establishment of an early warning system.

Geohazard maps and advisories to LGUs previously identified as prone to geological hazards will also be done, he said.

His office is now preparing the communication to all local government units down to the barangay level in Western Visayas reiterating the previous advisory that was provided by the MGB last year.

Last year, 30 out of the 325 barangays covered by the assessment in Aklan were found highly prone to landslide; 164 out of 571 barangays in Antique; 16 out of 442 barangays in Capiz; nine out of 50 barangays in Guimaras; 283 out of 1,899 barangays in Iloilo; and 20 of the 660 barangays in Negros Occidental.

The new geohazard map is expected to be completed within the year.(PNA)
LAM/ajp/PGL/vlo (Data from MGB-6)

(Philippine News Agency Link)

Water in wells near coastal areas of Iloilo City unsafe for drinking

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) here warned city residents that water taken from deep wells, especially those near coastal areas are not anymore safe for drinking.

This was the result of the “Groundwater Resources Assessment in Iloilo City” conducted by the MGB from August to September last year, according to MGB regional director Leo Van Juguan.

The random testing covered a total of 267 wells located mainly on the coastal areas of Arevalo, Molo, Lapaz and the city proper.

The wells used for domestic consumption were tested for pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, salinity and temperature.

Based on the result, wells nearest to coastal areas are experiencing salt water intrusion.

The salt intrusion which can be attributed to “over extraction of ground water” was noted in Barangays Dulunan, Arevalo; Calumpang, West and East Habug-habug, Molo and Rizal Estansuela and Rizal Pala-pala and Ortiz at the city proper.

The highest salinity reading is 17.2g/L (very saline)located at Brgy. Ortiz City Proper, while the lowest salinity reading is 0.2g/L noted in wells at Brgy. Sta. Filomena, Arevalo.

During the TDS test, only 12 of 267 wells passed the Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water (PNSDW), according to Juguan.

These 12 wells are located at Brgys. Quezon, Mohon, Sto. Domingo, Arevalo, Brgys. North and South Fundidor, Compania Central, Molo, Brgy. Nabitasan, La Paz, and Brgy. Nonoy, City District.

However, MGB Science Research Specialist Ma. Lucille Fuentes, one of the team members, said none among the 12 wells passed the coliform test.

“There is no drinking well that is available in the city,” Fuentes said.

The TDS indicates dissolved materials, minerals and other ions and is included in PNSDW.

The pH is a test for acidity. A water with a low pH v<6.5w could be acidic, soft and corrosive, therefore, the water could leach metal ions such as iron, manganese, copper, lead and zinc from the aquifer, plumbing fixtures and piping.

Water with a low pH could contain elevated levels of toxic metals, cause premature damage to metal piping and have associated aesthetic problems such as a metallic or sour taste, staining of laundry, and the characteristic cblue-greenc staining of sinks and drains.

A water with a pH >8.5 could indicate that the water is hard. Hard water does not pose a health risk but can cause aesthetic problems too, the result showed.

See story in

Philippine News Agency

U.S. News Agency / Asian

MGB-6 Regional Director Reappointed

Iloilo City - Regional Director (RD) Leo Van V. Juguan was reappointed as Regional Director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 6 effective August 1, 2010.  RD Juguan was one of the thirteen (13) officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources reappointed in the Omnibus Reappointment Letter signed by His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III dated October 31, 2010.  He took oath during a mass oath-taking held on November 26, 2010 at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office in Quezon City.

RD Juguan was one of the government officials affected by Executive Order No. 2 “Recalling, Withdrawing, and Revoking Appointments Issued by the Previous Administration In Violation of the Constitutional Ban on Midnight Appointments, and for Other Purposes” issued by President Benigno S. Aquino, III on July 30 this year.

A Mining Engineer, RD Juguan has been with the DENR-MGB for 33 years.  He rose from the ranks, served as Mineral District Officer of MGB Region 7 for three years and as Mining Operations Officer of Region 6 for a total of 5 years.  He was designated as OIC-Regional Technical Director of MGDS, Region 6 for 2 years and as OIC-Regional Director of the MGB Region 6 for nine years.   RD Juguan was given an Appointment as full-fledged Regional Director dated February 16, 2010 and took his oath of office on March 17, 2010.

MGB-6 builds up personnel’s IEC skills as it celebrates the Bureau’s 112th anniversary

ILOILO City – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 6 (DENR-6) is holding a couple of IEC activities for its personnel during MGB’s 112^th anniversary celebration this November.

On November 15, 2010,  Senior Geologist Mae Y. Magarzo lectured on geohazards, and the status of MGB-6’s geohazards mapping and assessment program.  Ms. Magarzo refreshed MGB-6 personnel’s knowledge on geohazards particularly on determining whether a place is susceptible to landslide based on the indicators used by geologists.  She emphasized that MGB’s program on geohazards mapping and assessment is very important as it could save lives because information is given to the local governments who will consider the geohazards susceptibility of an area when they make their land use and disaster risk management plans.

Ms. Magarzon also showed a sample digital geohazards map done by the MGB Central Office as a result of the rapid geohazards mapping and assessment of Region 6.  The map showed which parts of the region are highly susceptibility for landslides and flooding.

OIC, Office of the Regional Director Rene B. dela Cruz said that it is very important that the personnel are kept abreast of the programs and services of the Office specifically on geohazards considering that the MGB has been very active in informing other government agencies and concerned stakeholders.  He said that it is but apt that MGB personnel should also benefit from the information its office has been working really hard on.

The presentation on geohazards is one of the two slated for the month of November the benefit of MGB-6 personnel.  A presentation talking about Responsible Mining was also done on November 22, 2010.

Links:

Geohazard Assessment Results