GOVPH

Noise, air sampling training conducted

By: Lyndee Rose S. Basilio

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 02 (MGB R02) hand in hand with the Environment and Management Bureau Region 02 (EMB R02) conducted a training on Noise and Air Sampling held last May 5, 2015 at MGB R02 Conference Hall.

The said training aims to develop the skills and knowledge of the members of the Multi-partite Monitoring Team (MMT) in undertaking noise and air sampling. The MMT is tasked to supervise the project compliance under the issued Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC) conditions.

Engr. Rommel L. Amogan, OIC Chief of Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division (MSESDD) said that the training was conducted to ensure that the members of the MMT know how to use the equipment for the noise and air sampling.

“The reason for this is that we will do the job; we will be the one in charge in operating the equipment, ” Amogan added.

Leon Soriano, Floretino Lingan and Jason Malamug from EMB R02 served as speakers during the training.

Filter installation and sampling of High volume sampler were discussed before the training proper.

“Filters should not be damaged, it must be dry and it should not be folded,” Soriano lectured.

“We need to record the sample identification information such as the filter number location and sample date, and the initial rate on our data sheet for documentation,” Soriano added. 

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region II headed by the OIC, Regional Director, Engr. Mario A. Ancheta, invited FCF Minerals Corporation for a technical conference last February 24, 2014 to discuss the impending construction of the Tailings Storage Facility(TSF)/Residual Storage Impoundment (RSI).

The conference was held at the MGB Conference Hall. Mr. Craig Watkins, Country Manager, Ms. Agnes Goze, Environmental Manager, and Atty. Rosalie B. Soriano, Corporate Legal Counsel, graced said invitation.

Technical personnel from the MESD, MMD and GSD attended. Mr. Watkins presented the design and discussed the parameters of the TSF/RSI. He further explained that spillway will be constructed to drain the TSF/RSI and no decant tower/drainage tunnel. MGB RII expected from FCF Minerals Corporation the strict implementation that the TSF/RSI will be constructed based on the design parameters ensuring stability of the TSF/RSI over time. RD Ancheta requested to have more technical conferences regarding the matter so that the Office will be updated especially during the construction phase. Mr. Watkins concurred.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau  Region II was invited as resource speaker in the 1^st quarter Basic Occupational Safety and Health Training in Mines spearheaded by the Cagayan Valley Occupational Safety and Health Network (CVOSHnet) of the Department of Labor and Employment Region 02. The training was held on March 17-21, 2014 at the Hotel Ivory and Convention Center, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.  Engr. Cesar C. Caranto and Engr. Romeo O. Watchorna, Jr., the Electrical and Mechanical Engineers of this Office, presented the highlights of DAO No. 2000-98, the Philippine Mine Safety Rules and Regulations. The training was attended by 30 participants from various mining companies in the region.

GONZAGA, Philippines— At first glance, the processing plants that dot coastal communities in Cagayan province show no sign of activity, backing local officials’ claim that black sand mining has stopped. But as night falls, residents are roused from their sleep as heavy machinery starts running, and Dugo-San Vicente Road becomes busy with dump trucks bringing processed magnetite to Port Irene inside the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport in Sta. Ana town.

Read more: Black sand mining continues at night