OceanaGold Philippines Inc. (OGP) has signed an agreement with Geocycle Philippines — the waste management arm of Holcim Group — to process residual mine waste as alternative fuel and raw material for cement production.
Signed June 11, the two‑year deal covers waste from OGP’s Didipio Mine in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, which will be transported to Geocycle’s facility in Norzagaray, Bulacan. The project is set to divert up to 70 percent of the site’s residual waste away from landfills.
By outsourcing hauling, OGP expects to extend the life of its existing sanitary landfill from about 1.8 years to roughly 10.8 years, while saving around P6.16 million (US$156,000) by avoiding construction of a new disposal site. OGP Asset President James Isles noted the approach requires no capital outlay and offers clear environmental and operational gains.
Geocycle’s commercial head Riyann Moster said the partnership shows how industry collaboration advances a circular economy — reducing landfill reliance and conserving natural resources. Materials such as paper, plastics, textiles, and packaging are recovered and used to fire cement kilns.
The project builds on OGP’s earlier waste initiatives, including composting and plastic densification launched in 2023. The Didipio copper‑gold mine, which spans Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino, targets 85,000–105,000 ounces of gold and 13,000–15,000 metric tons of copper production this year. Both sides hope the model will encourage similar sustainable solutions across the sector.
