Integrated dev’t plan for Masbate mine site OKd

Filminera Resources Corp. has signed a memorandum of agreement with Philippine Gold Processing & Refining Corp., the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the local government of Aroroy in Masbate on an integrated area development (IAD) plan for the gold mine area.

IAD is one of Environment Secretary Lopez’s buzzwords as she clamps down on mines that she says should not be operating.

Lopez has deferred action on Filminera’s Masbate mine while she ordered the closure of 22 mines, and suspension of four others. The operators of two other mines were given notices to show cause on why they should not be shuttered.

According to Filminera, the IAD plan calls for the formulation and implementation of a six-year Sustainable Integrated Area Development (SIAD) Action Plan by the government, civil society and the private sector.

Lopez defined SIAD as “an approach, strategy and guiding philosophy that weaves environmental considerations with social justice and human development” and was aimed at applying area-based interventions and concepts on natural resources development programs.

PGPRC holds the mineral processing permit for and owns and operates the processing plant in the Masbate gold project. Filminera holds the environmental compliance certificate, the mining tenements, surface rights and the mineral production sharing agreement (MPSA).

Filminera said the IAD plan was aligned with relevant DENR programs like the National Greening Program, Biodiversity Program, Biochar Program for Agricultural and other Wastes, Coastal Research and Management, Clean Water and Air Programs and Solid Waste Management Program.