OceanaGold works full-blast to prepare Nueva Vizcaya mine

MANILA, Philippines - Construction workers are working full-blast at the gold-copper mine site facilities of OceanaGold Mining (Philippines), Inc. in Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya.

Over a hundred workers directly hired by contractors of OceanaGold are undertaking the construction of infrastructure facilities including the upgrading of the project’s access roads.

“We are targeting to start commercial production in the first quarter of 2013,” said Chito Gozar, OceanaGold vice president for communications and external affairs.

Community leaders in Didipio and neighboring communities have expressed optimism that the firm’s mining operation “will stir up economic activities in the province.

“We are fully supporting the operation of OceanaGold which will have a far-reaching impact in our community,” said Ferdeliza Linaga, an official of the Dipidio Community Development Association, Inc. (DCDAI), a community-based group composed of the different sectors of Barangay Didipio.

Gozar said OceanaGold has hired additional construction workers for civil works, giving priority to residents in the community and neighboring areas who had been trained in masonry, plumbing and carpentry under its social development management program (SDMP).

“Their trainings at the TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) in Tuguegarao, Cagayan, and at the Northern Isabela School of Arts and Trades, were funded by our firm,” Gozar said.

He said OceanaGold’s operation will benefit people not only in the community where its mining site is located but even people from far-flung areas. This, he said, will be through direct jobs during construction and indirect jobs during commercial operation.

Even before it starts operation, OceanaGold has already been implementing various projects for the community including reforestation and other environmental programs which are all in linen with its goal of sustainable growth and development.