AMVI receives fourth consecutive citation since rolling-out the program
Tubay, Agusan del Norte / July 2014 – The Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR) conferred an award on Agata Mining Ventures Inc. (AMVI) for the successful implementation of its Coastal Resource Management Program last 30 June 2014 – its fourth annual citation since rolling-out the program. During the agency’s 27th anniversary celebration, it also recognized the significant contributions of its other partners towards achieving its environmental objectives. The ceremony was held at the DENR Regional Office in Ambago, Butuan City.
AMVI is a joint venture between Mindoro Resources Ltd. (MRL) and TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD), which operates the Agata Project. The joint venture holds the 4,995-hectare Mineral Processing Sharing Agreement (MPSA) area that spans the municipalities of Tubay, Santiago and Jabonga.
Since 2007, and prior to receiving the award, AMVI has been engaged in a collaborative effort with the DENR, the local government of Tubay and the communities of Barangays Tinigbasan and Lawigan – both in the same municipality – in maintaining and protecting the marine sanctuary, project monitoring and evaluation as well as conducting seminars and training for fisherfolks and women’s organizations alike.
The company recently organized a team of more than 100 volunteers to conduct a day-long coastal clean-up activity in Sitio Payongpayong in Barangay Tinigbasan. Participants were able to collect and dispose of close to one metric ton of garbage and other debris along the sitio’s 460-meter coastline.
Supporting government programs
LGU officials earlier initiated the Coastal Resource Management Program in Tubay Municipality – further to the DENR’s promotion of shared responsibility via public-private partnership. AMVI, through MRL, adopted the program in 2007 and created a framework for its sustainable implementation.
“The trainings were aimed at deepening the community’s understanding of the project. We shared our visual assessment on marine habitat, identified coastal resource and conducted a survey of their perception. We also conducted community mapping and dive training for the local initiative, Bantay Dagat,” explained AMVI Environment Manager Jesalyn Guingguing.
In partnership with the LGU and the DENR-Caraga Region, the company rolled-out the program towards the protection of the coastal environment along its host communities. Likewise, various trainings have been sponsored by the company and were conducted by its Social and Environmental Teams in tandem with the DENR-Coastal Marine Management Division (CMMD).
“Our Department, through the CMMD, would like to express its gratitude to AMVI for supporting the Integrated Coastal Management program by undertaking initiatives geared towards mitigating impacts and coastal protection. Some may say it is impossible to marry two different things like environmental conservation and mining (but) let us not allow our hands to be tied to ‘impossibility.’ We are looking forward to more aggressive efforts to protect and conserve the coastal and marine resources within (AMVI’s) jurisdiction. We need heroes for the environment and we have found that in your company,” said DENR-CMMD Chief Josephine Araojo.
Social engagement is key
“In conducting grassroots environmental programs, community participation is a key element in achieving long-term results. Social engagement provides regular citizens with a sense of ownership over the program – making environmental responsibility a fundamental part of their way of life,” said AMVI General Manager Engr. Victoriano C. Nunez.
Periodic monitoring of the sanctuary is conducted by trained local divers and volunteers under Bantay Dagat. Prior to ramping-up operations, the company also continues to protect the area’s marine resources by intensifying its campaign for better coastal management.
AMVI is a 60/40 joint venture project of TVIRD and MRL. The TVIRD-led project bears a solid foundation for the company to move forward, initially through high iron laterite direct shipping ore (DSO) operations, followed by the construction of a nickel processing plant by 2015.
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