Vol III No 8 Apr 15 - 30, 2010

Volume III, No. 08 Official Publication of the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project April 16-30, 2010

EDITORIAL BOARD : Public Relations Department PUBLISHER : Rapu-Rapu Minerals Inc.

www.rapu-rapumining.com

Harnessing God-given resources for the sustainable

development of our community and country

RRPP celebrates Earth Day, plants 27,000 trees The Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project (RRPP) on Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay

Gulf, now one of the country’s most environment-compliant mining and

mineral processing operations, has planted some 27,000 trees to date on its

180-hectare site which comprises 3 percent of the island’s total area.

The preservation and the enhancement of the project site’s tree cover,

which will eventually include all mined-out areas, are among RRPP’s continuous

environmental initiative which recently featured its participation in Earth Day,

Earth Hour and World Water Day. The planted trees are indigenous to Rapu-

Rapu in keeping with the biodiversity policy of not introducing plant or animal spe-

cies that are not naturally found in a location.

The Rapu-Rapu environmental initiatives include voluntary efforts that are

above and beyond those mandated by the legal and regulatory requirements. Re-

cently, 109 volunteer-employees and contractors of RRPP held their own Earth

Day Walk, as part of the 2010 Earth Day Celebration, in Barangay Pagcolbon on

Rapu-Rapu. At the end of the walk and in line with this year’s celebration theme

“A Billion Green Act,” the volunteers planted 40 new agoho (Casuarinas setifolia)

trees on Pagcolbon Beach.

“We have just contributed 40 green acts for this year’s theme through

the trees we planted. If we count the long walk as an act of nature apprecia-

tion and being aware of the natural resources our project is endowed with—

the beautiful rock and sea scape, trees, white sand, (see page 2)

36 OJT students impressed with RRPP

This summer, RRPP once again becomes fertile training ground for stu-

dents undertaking the required On-the Job Training (OJT) program. A

total of 36 students of varying disciplines from state universities and

training centres nationwide benefitted from the experience and were

greatly impressed by RRPP’s friendly work atmosphere, excellent envi-

ronmental management systems and highly efficient operations.

Kayzer Llanda, a 21-year-old Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineer-

ing (BSEM)student from the University of the Philippines (UP) chose to do his

OJT at RRPP because “some of my professors recommended that I take my

training here. Also, among other mining companies, it’s different in terms of

geology... I am impressed with the work atmosphere. People here are very

friendly and approachable..” Jeric Negre, a journalism student from Bicol Uni-

versity, Legazpi, shared his views: “Impressive. The company really practices

environmental compliance. The negative perceptions that I used to hear when

we talk of mining were changed,”

These 36 students represented five institutions and nine courses of

study: From the University of the Philippines, Diliman (UP): 1 B.S. Mining En-

gineering and 3 B.S. Metallurgical Engineering; From Mindanao State Univer-

sity (MSU): 2 B.S. Metallurgical Engineering; Partido State University (PSU): 3

B.S. Sanitary and Environmental Engineering and 3 B.S. Geology; Bicol Uni-

versity (BU): 2 B. S. Mechanical Engineering, 1 A.B. Journalism, 6 B.S. Infor-

mation Technology and 2 B.S. Automotive Technology; Technical Education

and Skills Development Authority (TESDA): 12 Shield Metal Arc Welding

(SMAW). (see page 2)

ONE GREEN ACT. Employees of the RRPP joined hands in extending support for Mother Nature during the tree planting activity as part of the World Earth Day 2010.

RRPP recently installed a computerized pH monitoring system at the

environmental area water treatment facility that shows real time pH

readings from three locations: mixing sump, settling sump and wet-

lands.

The first of its kind in the Philippines, this system provides a more ac-

curate and rigorous monitoring of the pH level of the water at these locations

compared with the previous manual system of using handheld pH meters to

take a daily reading of the water’s pH level. Computer readings are now

logged every minute and saved; the daily average reading is included in the

monthly report submitted to EMBV.

Only water with a pH level within 6.5 to 9, in compliance with DENR

standard for effluent, is allowed to flow through to the wetland systems and

pH monitoring system computerized

VIGILANCE ENSURES SAFETY. Computer system and one of three pH meters.

Mining and Metallurgical students from the University of the Philipines on OJT Program at RRPP. L-R: Kayzer Llanda, Hazel Marie Tibule, Dona Bautista, Diosa Marie Aguila and Lester Wayne Pile.

eventually into receiving bodies of water, such as the Hollowstone channel.

This computerized monitoring system complements RRPP’s mecha-

nized lime dosing system, also a first in the Philippines.

Since these environmental enhancements began in mid 2009, RRPP

has spent a substantial amount of time and money in further improving and

refining its environmental mitigation and control facilities. Continuous en-

hancement of the project’s environment facilities shows RRPP’s unwavering

commitment to environment protection and preservation.

From page 1...36 OJT students impressed with RRPP...

Volume III, No. 08 The Island Newsweek April 16-30, 2010

The first five persons to submit completely-answered Sudoku game to James Lopez of the Public Relations and Corporate Affairs Depart-ment will win cool RRPP umbrellas. Only one person per department wins. Names of winners will be published in the next issue.

fresh air---we are counting 109 green acts as well,” said Carmelita Pacis of

RRPP’s Environmental Mine and Safety Department (EMSD). In 2009,

Pacis was one of Ten Outstanding Pollution Control Officers (TOPCO) in the

country, a distinction awarded by the Pollution Control Association of the

Philippines, Inc. (PCAPI) for her environmental efforts at RRPP.

RRPP observed Earth Hour 2010 by simultaneously switching off its

lighting facilities at the camp accommodation buildings for one hour, contrib-

uting at least 611 megawatts of saved electricity, according to guidelines of

the Department of Energy.

World Water Day was also observed at the camp site with an adopt-a

-tree program whereby employees planted trees within the camp area.

As the country’s first polymetallic mine under the Mining Act of 1995,

RRPP has earned ISO 14001: 2004 certification for the environmental man-

agement systems of both its mining and processing operations, signifying

that its environmental practices are in compliance with internationally-

recognized standards.

RRPP produces copper and zinc powder concentrates, and gold and

silver residues. Its shareholders: LG International, Korea Resources (a South

Korean government-owned entity) and Malaysia Smelting Corporation, man-

date environmental responsibility as a top priority.

Over the years, RRPP has been the choice of many students from dif-

ferent universities due to its world-class standards of operation. Last year,

Aaron Anthony Nieveras, a BS Metallurgical Engineering student from UP

Diliman, also took his internship at RRPP along with nine other trainees from

MSU and BU-Legazpi. During his training, Nieveras commented that,

“...knowledge acquisition has never been this fun and worthy, having to work

with people who emphasize virtues in their profession through responsible

mining in an environment-conscious working place.” Congratulations to the last issue’s wordmine winners. Please claim your prizes at the Public Relations and Corporate Affairs (PRCA) Department from James upon the publication of this notice.

Nelbenjie Noleal, CARE Dept● Christine Betiz, CARE Dept ● Erica Gazo, HRA Dept ● Kareen Perez, HRA Dept.●Gerard Mesa, HRA Dept.

(All are given one chance to win a prize from contests on TIN)

From page 1...RRPP celebrates Earth Day, plants 27,000 trees...

THICK AND GREEN. RRPP features a 40-meter wide buffer zone that surrounds the 180-hectare mine development area. Most of the trees in the area were planted by the employees under its environmental programs such as the Earth Day Walk.

SUDOKU: Fill in the boxes with numbers 1-6 so that all rows,

columns, and mini-grids contain the numbers 1 through 6. Make sure that no number is repeated in any of the rows, columns or mini-grids.

Residents of Barangay Binosawan and the neighboring barangays of

Linao, Tinopan, Viga, Mananao, and Buenavista in the island of Rapu-

Rapu can now enjoy safe access over the Binosawan River. The recon-

struction of the 20.8 x 1.0 meter concrete footbridge with railings was com-

pleted through the efforts of the Binosawan barangay council and its barangay

captain, Ms. Enida Bendal, and funded by the Social Development Manage-

ment Program (SDMP) of the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project (RRPP).

The bridge, severely damaged by the typhoons Milenyo and Reming in

2007, took approximately six months to complete and cost nearly half a million

pesos. It was designed by the Municipal engineer, Engr. Jaime Cardel. Engi-

neering work was contracted to Mr. Tomas Sarsa from Barangay Binosawan

who acted as foreman. Although construction was completed in December

2009, inauguration of the bridge is scheduled to be held sometime middle of

this year.

Nelbenjie Noleal, Community CARE Officer, pointed out that this is one of the biggest infrastructure projects of the barangay for 2009. It com-prised about 8% of Binosawan’s total SDMP budget of 5.86 million pesos for the year. Residents appreciate the new bridge. "Dakulaon an pasasalamat mi ta

nakakaagi kami dawa nag-uuran. Grabeng pasasalamat mi sa tulay na

an. [We are thankful as we can now cross the river even during rainy sea-

sons. We are very thankful for that bridge.]" claims Merlita Buella of Barangay

Linao. Her neighbour, Maria Apon agrees: "Magayon ta pag baha dae na

kami malangoy. Kan dati inanod na ako diyan kan may baha [It's good be-

cause we no longer have to swim accross the river during floods. I was once

swept by the flood water while crossing the river]." Genevie Bondoy, a resi-

dent of Barangay Binosawan who works for ORICA, a subcontractor at the

mine site, adds: "Mas marhay na may tulay ta mas nakakalaog na kami sa

trabaho dawa nag-uuran o baha. Dae na nadadanyaran an samuyang tra-

baho. [The bridge has been helpful as we can now go to work even during

rainy seasons or even when there are floods. Our employment is no longer

affected]".

This bridge serves as the only access of the barangay’s approximately

800 people to the high grounds of Sitio San Mateo and the neighboring baran-

gays. In addition, it is the only link of residents living in barangays facing the

Pacific Ocean to the barangays along the Albay Gulf especially during the

monsoon season when big waves prevent sea travel around the tip of Pagcol-

bon.

Barangay Binosawan is one of the six host communities of RRPP and

a major beneficiary, since 2005, of the SDMP mandated under the Philippine

Mining Act of 1995. The others are Malobago, Pagcolbon, Linao, Tinopan,

and Sta. Barbara.

bridge to Binosawan rebuilt to last

STRONG AND STURDY. The recently reconstructed Binosawan Bridge was de-

signed to withstand typhoons and flash floods due to heavy rains and high tide.

Clue: What is the alchemy symbol for Silver?