Berong Nickel Corp. said Thursday it continues to stay ahead of its mine rehabilitation program, having completed 88 percent of its annual land preparation target within only six months.
Land preparation, a critical component of the mine rehabilitation process, includes slope benching and soil matting to avoid landslides, promote vegetation growth and create a more hospitable environment for returning wildlife.
Berong Nickel, a unit of listed DMCI Holdings Inc., has started a 6-year, P110 million rehabilitation after the depletion of nickel deposits at its mining claim in Palawan. This year, the target land preparation covered 34 hectares of which 30 hectares have already been rehabilitated in the first half.
In addition, the mining company accelerated its erosion control and soil stabilization efforts by installing 672 coconets, nearly six times its annual target of 116.
The company also laid down 1,721 meters of geo-textiles, significantly enhancing the ecological stability of the areas under rehabilitation.
“We are fully committed to addressing our impacts on the environment and to our host communities. In our first year, we were able to exceed many of our rehabilitation targets,” said Berong Nickel president Tulsi Das Reyes.
“The progress we have made in such a short time is a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication,” he added.
In line with its goal to fast track the final mine rehabilitation of Berong, the company topped its seedling production and transplantation targets for 2023. It already produced 214,052 seedlings, more than double its 85,000 target.
The Berong mine opened in October 2006 and was fully depleted by December 2021.
Aside from generating 1,634 direct and indirect jobs, the mining operations yielded 10.3 million wet metric tons of nickel ore and P2.6 billion-worth of mining duties, royalties and taxes.
To be conducted over a six-year period starting June 2022, the Berong final rehabilitation program covers 109 hectares of surface mine, 209 hectares of silt control structures and 25 hectares of stockpile area.
After rehabilitation, the disturbed areas could be used for eco-tourism, agro-forestry and inland fish farming by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, local government units, and host communities.
