Philippine Nickel Mine Spends Over P168M on Site Rehabilitation in 4 Years Post-Closure

QUEZON, Palawan—Berong Nickel Corp. (BNC), a subsidiary of DMCI Mining Corp., has spent P168.3 million over the last four years on rehabilitating its mining site in this province, 53 percent higher than its initial budget of P110 million for the purpose. BNC embarked on a six-year final mine rehabilitation and decommissioning plan for its nickel mine, the first of its kind in the country, after concluding mining activities in 2021. The program remains on track for completion in 2027, after which the rehabilitated area will be formally turned over to the government. So far, the company has planted nearly 352,000 seedlings with a 97-percent survival rate and produced more than 497,000 seedlings in its nurseries, surpassing its year four targets under its rehabilitation program. Ramon Briones, vice president for operations at DMCI Mining, stated that the company will continue planting until the end of the rehabilitation period, with the next phase focusing on finishing major earthworks. "Once you start planting, we can start making it a community project," Briones said. He noted that while major costs are labor, fuel, and equipment, "After we do all the earthworks, planting is not that expensive anymore." He added, "We can plant 100 trees a day. We pay the worker per tree and then we buy them the seedlings. The cost will be lower. It will really be dependent on how many trees we decide we want to add there." The firm also implements mangrove reforestation, sea turtle conservation, and coral gardening programs in close coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, regulators, and host communities. Furthermore, BNC invested almost P200 million through its social development and management program to support education, healthcare, infrastructure, livelihood, and sociocultural initiatives. This includes the development of farm-to-market roads, schools, child development centers, barangay halls, churches, covered courts, footbridges, and electrification projects. BNC also paid P161 million in royalties to indigenous peoples to support their development. The firm's nickel project is covered by a 25-year mineral production sharing agreement spanning 288 hectares. Source: Inquirer Business