Putting a smile on Batang Didipio….

It’s surprising to discover that majority of the children in our host community in Didipio, Kasibu Nueva Vizcaya often skip school due to illnesses caused by diarrhea and dental cavities which eventually causing children to drop out from school.

We knew we need to take action!!! Oceanagold Phils,Inc. launched the Essential Health Care Program (EHCP) for the children and provided free dental services in the community.

The Essential Health Care Program (EHCP) is a simple health care plan for the school children in Didipio Elementary School which aims to teach children the importance of tooth brushing and basic hand washing with soap.

“Prevention is better than cure”

With this simple gesture, the children including parents were so grateful for Oceanagold’s  initiative. The EHCP, a part of  Oceanagold’s  Health and Safety Program is not only limited in educating the children on the health care plan but also provided a health care package for the children and a dental services for the whole community.

A simple gesture that made a big difference to Didipio Children…

Forming good habits should start at a young age and it should start now…..

One reason for this season…

Didipio children have been one of the reasons why we strive harder!

We stand in awe for the Christ of Christmas has again proved his love by not letting a prayer of His children go unanswered – HAPPINESS on Christmas day….
Even an unbearable cold breeze and thick fogs that is enveloping the whole barangay and a muddy road on the way to the Community Multipurpose Hall on December 15th, that still doesn’t stop the excitement and anticipation of the Didipio community on the much awaited “PASKO SA DIDIPIO”, a community Christmas Program organized by Oceanagold Phils Inc., a mining firm located in Kasibu Nueva Vizcaya for its host community.

About 700 community members , young, old, men, women and children gathered on the community multipurpose hall to participate and celebrate the community Christmas program, themed PASKO SA DIDIPIO: A celebration towards a peaceful and progressive 2011 and beyond. …Santa Claus came to town guise in the form of Oceanagold employees from the Community Partnership team wearing red shirts and Santa caps who brought so much joy and delight to the community by giving away prizes on parol making contest, parlor games, raffle draws and presentation contests .Various gifts were also given to daycare, kindergarten, and elementary children during the gift giving activities last December 13th, 14th and 17th. The team also performed a dance intermission for the community aside from the gift giving treat which made the community more excited and captivated.

The school children in return showed gratitude to the mining firm located in the area by showcasing their best talents in singing and dancing wearing shirts expressing their support for Oceanagold’s advocacy for responsible mining and sustainable development aside from the cultural presentation, an IFugao dance presented by the church sector in the community.

Love and Giving is the true meaning of Christmas but it’s not only during this yuletide season the company gave gifts to the community but all throughout the years, they helped built schools, construct roads and provide livelihood and employment opportunities to the community.

The year 2011 ushers us into a more hopeful beginning, to forget what is behind and look forward to what is ahead. To those who made every effort to make “PASKO SA DIDIPIO” special, you continually amaze us with your big heart.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Work at Didipio mine to start anew in Jan

Work at Didipio mine to start anew in Jan
by: Kathleen A. Martin ( Business World – Corporate News )
Updated: Posted on 04:15 PM, December 23, 2010

CONSTRUCTION AT Australian miner OceanaGold Corp.’s Didipio project in Nueva Vizcaya will restart in January 2011, the miner said in a statement.

“Detailed engineering design of infrastructure and the process plant will restart in January 2011 using much of the previous work as the basis for a head start toward completion. Upgrades to the site access road will also be undertaken in the New Year,” the miner said.

The $320-million Didipio project has been on hold since December 2008 following a crisis in the global credit markets.

The miner said preparations included the assembly of a project management and a construction team and the evaluation of different contractors and consultants for construction.

The Didipio project has probable reserves of 29.7 million metric tons (MT) of ore with an average of 1.48 grams of gold per MT and 0.57% copper.

Last September, the miner completed an optimization study for the Didipio project, which outlined a 20-year mine life consisting of an operation of 2.5 million MT of ore per annum over the first six years of open-cut mining operation, then a shift to underground operation afterwards with 1.2 million MT of ore per annum.

According to the study, annual production at the site will average 71,000 ounces of gold and 32 milliion pounds of copper for the first six years. Afterwards, production will average 67,000 ounces of gold and 12 million pounds of copper.

Mining firm launches reforestation plan

Mining firm launches reforestation plan
By Sanny Galvez (The Philippine Star)
Updated December 26, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0)

MANILA, Philippines – OceanaGold Philippines, which has a gold-copper project in Barangay Didipio in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, said that even before it begins producing the mineral, it has implemented a reforestation program in the Region 2 project where it has so far planted 120,000 trees.

As part of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ requirement, OceanaGold has conducted baseline studies that will indicate in the future any abnormalities occurring in the environment, said Ramoncito Gozar, the firm’s vice president for communications and external affairs.

He said OceanaGold “not only abide by the laws of the Philippines but also apply the highest standard of environmental responsibility.”

The firm was the recipient of the 2009 National Environmental Award (2009 Best Forestry Program by a mining company) from the DENR during the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Conference held last year in Baguio City.

OceanaGold Phils., Inc. chairman Jose P. Leviste Jr. described the award “as a welcome recognition of OceanaGold’s dedication and commitment to the best practice of environmental management in the Philippines.”

According to Gozar, OceanaGold has allocated millions of pesos over its mine life under its social development and mining program (SDMP) and for its environmental protection and enhancement program (EPEP). Both SDMP and EPEP are mandated under Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act.

Since the early stage of its operation, OceanaGold has also been involved in various community projects such as in health, education and agriculture, all aimed to benefit not only the residents in Barangay Didipio where its mine plant is located, but also those in the neighboring areas.

“We are working in partnership with the Didipio Community Development Association, Inc. (DCDAI), a community-based group composed of the tribal council, educators, cooperatives, people’s organizations and religious and professionals of Barangay Didipio.

Nueva Vizcaya Vice-Governor candidates cross party lines to fight illegal mining

In Photo: Documented by the Nueva Vizcaya State University investigative team, an old-fashioned mining ball mill used to extract gold operates without permit in the upland village of Didipio in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.

Nueva Vizcaya Vice Gov. Jose Gambito Jr., who is seeking another term in the May 10 election, confirmed that no permits were issued to small-scale miners operating in a mining area in Nueva Vizcaya.

Gambito was referring to the Alimit area in the upland town of Kasibu, 5 kilometers from OceanaGold Philippines Inc.’s Didipio gold-copper project under.

The escalating number of casualties in the illegal small-scale mining operations in the province has prompted provincial officials to cross party lines.

Nueva Vizcaya provincial board member Patricio Dumlao Jr. who is running against Vice Gov. Gambito is calling on the local officials in mineral-rich municipalities where illegal small-scale mining activities run rampant, for their failure to curb what he described as destructive mining ventures.

“If local officials in those areas are not illegal miners themselves or if they are not in cahoots with the operators, then it would be easy for them to hunt and stop all mining operations in their respective jurisdictions. Administrative charges can be filed against these officials for dereliction of duty,” said Dumlao.

Dumlao expressed fears that undocumented small-scale mining operations wherever in the province may not only endanger the miners’ lives, but also the entire community where they operate unregulated.

“Because they don’t have permits to operate, therefore they are illegal and have no records for the government to monitor their activities while technically evading tax obligations. How can we entice foreign investments into the country if we cannot protect legal mining projects that pay substantial tax revenues to the government?” asked Dumlao.

Dumlao, who belongs to Nueva Vizcaya’s north district, said the dreadful way of using the toxic mercury in extracting gold, which remains in practice, endangers not only the lives of people living in the area, but the natural ecology as well.

He also mentioned the indiscriminate use of dynamite in mine-tunnel excavation as fatal to the miners based on reported blasting-related deaths recently.

Last year, Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Luisa Lloren Curesma ordered the local authorities to stop all illegal mining anywhere in the province.

“These must be stopped. We can’t just sit here waiting for another death or tragedy to happen. Besides, most of these people are not Novo Vizcayanos, and yet they exploit and ruin our natural resources,” said Cuaresma, who heads the provincial small-scale mining regulatory board.

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OCEANAGOLD AND SIFE

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Didipio Village Appreciates OceanaGold for its Support for Development Projects

Didipio Village Appreciates OceanaGold for its Support for Development Projects
April 26, 2010
Jenny San Juan

Recently held at Didipio Village is the “26th Founding Anniversary Celebration, and Inter-Malabing Valley Summer League 2010”with the theme of “Strengthening the unity and harmonious relationship towards a peaceful and progressive future.”

As an annual social activity, barangay Didipio hosted this year’s summer league joined by 8 other sorrounding barangays namely, Capisaan, Binogawan, and Catarawan, Malabing and Papaya, Tadji and Tukod and Wangal.

The week long activity started Monday of April 19 with ecumenical service as an opening ceremony celebrated by Kasibu Parish priest, Father Didier Badianga Tona.

Among the contested events were the sports competition such as basketball, volleyball and table tennis and chess games in addition, the search for “Miss Summer League 2010” which also served as one of the main attractions.

During the awarding ceremony of the winners for the overall championship, barangay Didipio was called to get the first place while barangays Wangal, Catarawan, and Capsiaan and Tadjie took the succeeding places respectively. OceanaGold was given the privilege to award the grand prizes.

OceanaGold as a valued supporter to Didipio’s social activities donated the concreting of the Volleyball court; and fencing and railings of the ground for the protection of the plants and beautification of the school, amounting to P228,000.00.

So much appreciation to this benevolent deed, Didipio Village awarded OceanaGold a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ for its unselfish and invaluable services, support and financial contribution to the realization of some development projects to Didipio Community.

The Summer League was a successful inter-barangay activity made for fun and fund-raising in one. With high hopes for continued success of barangay social development, Barangay Catarawan will be the next venue of the annual summer league.

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SIFE OceanaGold gives students business training

Annette Rafael, Pilipinas SIFE country coordinator, said the activity which was hosted by OceanaGold Philippines Inc., was aimed to enjoin colleges and universities in Region 2 to be part of the Pilipinas SIFE which, she said, “trains and develops the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders among university and college students.”

Pilipinas SIFE is the national chapter of the global organization founded in Missouri, USA in 1975. OceanaGold has partnered with the Pilipinas SIFE as platinum sponsor from 2008 to 2011 to serve as a local business advisory board to SIFE schools that will be formed in the Cagayan Valley region.

As a platinum sponsor of Pilipinas SIFE, our firm will be working with the youth sector and community where we operate; to involve them in developing sustainable community-based enterprises; and to promote youth leadership through programs and participation in local and international competitions,” Chito Gozar, Vice President for Communications and External Affairs said.

Participants in the workshop, according to Rafael, have shown great enthusiasm in the SIFE program, as each group representative has identified potential community projects such as, reviving the citrus industry, rag making, coconut tree planting, mushroom production through banana leaves and processing of banana products.

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Oceanagold’s Didipio Reforestation, Forest Protection, Maintenance, Rehabilitation and Revegetation won an award

OGPI has continued to maintain its central nursery at the foot of the accommodation hill. Seedling inventory as of end of the year 2009 is 25,162.

OGPI, through its Sustainability Department has donated seedlings of different species to community individuals, schools, visitors, people’s organizations, adjacent Barangays and Region. There were 13,886 seedlings donated for the year.

Seedling species inventory for the year 2009 include Gmelina, Mahogany, Narra, Rain tree, Tuai, Mayapis, Kamagong, Tanguile, Ballongay, Maasim, Malabato, Duclitan, Rambutan, Mango, Tiesa, Bahag, Pomelo, Caimito

At the start of the year the total inventory was 48,933, an additional 1,028 was raised, 5,320 was planted, 13,886 was donated. At the end of the year there were 25,162 trees in the inventory.

Establishment of new plantations was quite a challenge for 2009 as available areas for reforestation within the project site have been immensely reduced by aggressive reforestations efforts in the last two years.

The company earned the Best Mining Forest award for accomplishments in 2008 and early 2009 from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and Mins and Geosciences Bureau and the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association.

Creative initiatives were undertaken by drawing partnerships with local government units and people’s organizations in nearby communities in reforestation activities.

A memorandum of agreement was drawn with the Tucod Kiphodan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TKMPC), a People’s Organization based in Tucod, Cabbaroguis, Quirino, engaged in reforestation under the Upland Development Program. Under this agreement, OGPI provided seedlings of various forest tree species which were used in the establishment of forest tree plantations by the members of TKMPC. Approximate area planted by this group using seedlings provided by the company is 8 has.

For 2009, the total area planted by the company within the project site is 6.42 hectares. This includes road side and enhancement planting adjacent to previously established plantations. An approximate area of 13 has. was established by the various recipients of seedlings provided by the company.

OceanaGold conducted Earth Balling of Trees in 2009. A total of 136 trees were earth balled with a 98.4% survival.

The continuing forest protection activities implemented by the security team have significantly reduced the incidents of timber poaching and illegal transport of undocumented forest products. This was observed after a formal case was filed against one of the perpetrators.

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OceanaGold says it has fixed a problem which has caused it to be cited for breaching resource consent conditions

Updated at 6:55pm on 15 April 2010

OceanaGold says it has fixed a problem which has caused it to be cited for breaching resource consent conditions.

OceanaGold is being taken to the Environment Court by the West Coast Regional Council for allegedly polluting a Buller stream near its Reefton open cast gold mine.

The company’s Globe Progress mine operates in the Victoria Conservation Park in Reefton under an access agreement with the Department of Conservation.

OceaniaGold says the discharges are due to heavy rain and carry only small amounts of fine soil into the creeks.

A spokesperson, Darren Klinck, says the company has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to prevent the discharge and, as of late last year, has finally fixed the problem.

The company is to appear in the Environment Court on Monday.

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