The company has become one of the country’s largest producers of copper since its operations came on-stream in 2004, following its prior gold-silver project and its current production of zinc concentrates.
Today, as it as it is set to conclude its operations in Canatuan by the end of the year, it looks towards the gold and silver potential in Bayog – which is located approximately 75 kilometers east-northeast of its Canatuan – as the next phase in the company’s development. The Subanen Timuays (chieftains) express the same anticipation during their mine tour.
“We are grateful that this opportunity provided us the assurance of what TVIRD has done in Canatuan can be replicated in our area (Bayog municipality) when it starts operations there,” expressed Timuay Mitobusan Casiano Edal who came together with fellow tribal leader Timuay Lucenio Manda to experience firsthand the company’s responsible mining practices and its sustainable programs for the Subanons of Canatuan.
Subanen solidarity for responsible mining
Both chieftains, chosen representatives of the entire indigenous community as the result of Subanen unification, expressed their support to responsible mining in their ancestral domain, which is endowed with minerals but is still reeling from the environmental damage wrought by decades of illegal mining.
They also showed their solidarity to the Pikumpungan Subanen Lupa Pusaka (PSLP) – an organization of Subanen tribe officials covering six municipalities in the province of Zamboanga headed by Datu Dalepusan Isis Guilingan. The PSLP represents another group of Subanens in the area surrounding the gold-rich Balabag hill in the town of Bayog.
All three leaders also anticipate the commencement of the company’s environmental clean-up in the area, just like it did in its Canatuan mine site. Before ramping-up its operations in 2004, TVIRD’s first order of business was to conduct an extensive environmental clean-up and to assess damage done to Mt. Canatuan – prior damage that was caused by small scale illegal miners who also exploited the indigenous communities.
Similarly, the company is set to conduct the same clean-up in Balabag, which has also experienced decades of illegal mining.
Bringing Canatuan to Balabag
“Today, TVIRD as a company enjoys a high degree of trust and confidence from its host communities and neighboring municipalities,” TVIRD General Manager Germidas Las Pinas said. During their visit, the Subanen chieftains approved of the benefits provided by TVIRD to their kin.
“They are receiving social services like health, education, infrastructure support and livelihood that they enjoy from the company,” Timuay Manda expressed.
Prior to commencing operations in the area, TVIRD has already rolled-out its environmental and social programs in Balabag. Also this year, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Zamboanga del Sur and Bayog’s Sangguniang Bayan granted the company social license to operate via resolutions of support for its entry, in addition to the same support expressed by the Subanens.
“Now that we witnessed ourselves the responsible mining in Canatuan, we hope in the near future, we will fully experience the same progress in our own town,” Timuay Edal expressed.
Responsible environmental programs
Not escaping the Subanen leaders’ admiration is TVIRD’s the sulphide tailings storage facility – a dam that was designed and built under the strictest international standards and is strong enough to withstand the maximum credible earthquake (8.5 magnitude) and the probable maximum flood in the area.
“It is commendable that the locals in Siocon are the ones trained to monitor the sulphide dam after the company ceases its operations. We need not worry for the community who is left here,” Timuay Manda said.
“The goal of the company’s environment management unit is to return the Canatuan mine to a natural and stable state for the Subanons’ productive use in the future,” TVIRD Environment Manager Nilda Callora said. Progressive rehabilitation is one of the priority commitments of TVIRD for the protection and conservation of the environment.
Under the TVIRD Final Mine Rehabilitation Plan, the company will conduct active and passive rehabilitation in the years following the decommissioning of its operations.
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