MINING NEWS
OceanaGold on PH Mining Club: Mining gold for a better future By Abe Almirol and Marcelle P. Villegas
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hings are getting better for OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. after their application for FTAA renewal was finally approved last year for the Didipio gold and copper mine. Last 14 July 2022, the Philippine Government finally granted OGPI another 25 years to operate. The company’s operations had been halted for nearly two years due to a dispute between the mining firm and the provincial government. [1] From the company’s media release on their website, OPGI said that the new Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) applies retroactively from June 19, 2019. When they started operations again in November of 2021, they produced 14,863 ounces of gold and 2,323 tonnes of copper. This surpassed the company’s 2021 guidance range of 7,000 to 12,000 ounces of gold and 1,000 tonnes of copper. Last 11 February 2022, Philippine Mining Club’s 14th Webinar presented OceanaGold’s David Way as keynote speaker.
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Way is the General Manager for New Zealand and Philippines of OceanaGold Corporation. His presentation is titled “Mining gold for a better future -- delivering on our commitments”. The virtual event was well attended with more than 200 attendees. Upon the renewal of their FTAA contract last year, the company expressed their gratitude to the Philippine Government and that their top priority is to rehire and train its workforce in the Philippines. During the PMC webinar, the General Manager said, “The Philippine Government has always been our partner in every stage of our operation. We keep them informed with the activities and seek their wisdom, especially in our commitment to mine safely, responsibly, and conscientiously.” Moreover, he said, “Our success is dependent on the strength of the workforce and on the relationship we have with our stakeholders. The Philippine Government has always been our partner in every stage of our operation. We keep them informed with the activities and seek their wisdom, especially in our commitment to mine safely,
responsibly, and conscientiously.” “Through our transformative engagements with the Government, our valued regulators, Indigenous Peoples groups, and our host and neighboring communities, we listen to their advice, and respond to their support. We commit to being a responsible Corporate Citizen of the Philippines.” The current FTAA of OGPI covers 8,314.42 hectares. Direct community beneficiaries include: 1 host community, 10 neighboring communities, 17,000+ residents (as of 2015 census), 2 host municipalities, and 2 host provinces (Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino). [2] Didipio Mine Workforce is composed of 1,145 employee (as of Dec. 31, 2021) wherein 99% is composed of Filipino workforce. The 25% of the Company’s workforce at Didipio are women who are in professional level roles. The FTAA was renewed on substantially the same terms and conditions and includes the following modifications: > The equivalent of an additional 1.5% of gross revenue to be allocated to community development
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ISSUE 1 2022 • WWW.PHILIPPINE-RESOURCES.COM
