Mining firm taps into potential of ‘biochar’

Marcventures Mining and Development Corp. (MMDC) said it was adopting a soil enhancement technology to foster agroforestry near its nickel project site in Surigao del Sur.

In a statement Thursday, the firm said the initiative to use activated biochar was in line with the new policy direction of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to provide sustainable livelihood programs for host communities of mining operations. Biochar is plant material turned charcoal and, according to the International Biochar Initiative, can be useful in increasing food security and cropland diversity.

MMDC entered into an agreement with the Philippine Biochar Association (PBiA) to advocate the extensive use of biochar.

“The idea is to apply biochar and convert mined-out lands into arable lands that can be planted with renewable cash crops, which then gives livelihood … to the communities especially indigenous peoples,” Marcventures vice chair Isidro Alcantara said.

MMDC would be putting up a 50-hectare pilot farm in Surigao del Sur, where there are plenty of organic materials like rice husks that may be turned into biochar. PBiA estimated a 50-ha plot would generate about P8 million in revenues for communities involved.