OceanaGold undergoes mine audit

By: Lyndee Basilio

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- In line with the concentrated efforts of the government to promote responsible mining, OceanaGold Philippines Inc. welcomed the order of newly installed Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, a memorandum to audit all operating mines and moratorium of new mining projects that covers an extensive audit of all mining operations.

Ramoncito P. Gozar, OceanaGold’s SVP for Communications and External Affairs said that the company is ready for any audit.

“ Any audit would also reveal OGPI's significant contributions to its host communities over and above the mandated requirements under the Philippine Mining Act. Notable is theDidipio Community Development Corp.(DiCorp), which was establishedAugust 11, 2011to assist the local community in creating sustainable business partnership among enterprising locals,” Gozar said.

Based on the memorandum 2016-01, all operating ans suspended mines will be subject to an audit to determine the adequacy and efficiency of the environmental protection measures, identify gaps in protection measures and to determine appropriate penalties in case of violations.

The mining firms were given a month to comply with the order, non compliance will result to the suspension of the mining operations.

The audit will cover the compliance of the company in environmental management, safety and health management, and social development management.

The audit team assigned to Region 02 were: Nemesio M. Beronilla, team leader, Forest Management Bureau (FMB); ARD Wilfredo Malvar, DENR Region 02; and Christian Oropesa and Astor Rejuso, Environment Management Bureau (EMB).