By blending tradition with bold innovation, OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. is proving that mining and nature cannot only coexist—they can harmonize.
The trailblazing approach adopted by the listed gold-copper producer to mine rehabilitation, known as the Harmony in Diversity (HiD) Effect, is transforming once-disturbed land into thriving, self-sustaining forests—faster, cheaper, and more naturally than ever before.
In the rugged terrain of Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya, what used to be brown, barren post-mining land is now bursting with greenery, native plants, and the songs of endemic birds. Launched in 2024, the HiD Effect is already reshaping both landscapes and industry standards, slashing rehabilitation costs dramatically to P1.3 million (USD23,000) per hectare from P3.5 million (USD63,000) per hectare in 2023.
The secret? A departure from hydroseeding—a conventional method that relied on imported mulch and maintenance-heavy grasses—in favor of a regenerative, ecologically sound mix of global techniques: the dense planting principles of Japan’s Miyawaki Method, the moisture-conserving Zai Pit technique of Burkina Faso, the nutrient-boosting power of mycorrhiza fungi, and the natural composting of decomposing wood to kickstart biodiversity.
The HiD Effect goes beyond savings. Reallocated funds now strengthen other environmental programs under OceanaGold’s stewardship, while the ecological gains are drawing attention at the national level. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau visited the site in April 2025, inspired by the potential for industry-wide adoption.
At the end of June, around , 55 hectares—16 percent of the mine’s disturbed area—have already been regenerated. And nature is responding: birds like swiftlets and wagtails are back, while native plants have begun growing unassisted, thanks to seed dispersal by returning wildlife.
“OceanaGold is committed to a legacy that goes beyond extraction,” said Nericel Langres-Daulayan, Manager of the Mine Environmental Protection and Enhancement Office. “With the HiD Effect, we’re not just restoring land — we’re rebuilding ecosystems that can sustain life for generations to come.”
