Philex prepares Silangan mine closure plan

MANILA, Philippines - Philex Mining Corp. is already preparing the mine closure plan for its copper-gold project in Surigao del Norte which is expected to begin commercial operation in 2017.

Under the Mining Act, the Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plan (FMRDP) is required before a mining firm can begin operations.

The mine closure plan provides for the rehabilitation of the mine after its lifespan. A trust fund is also required to be kept in a government-owned bank to be used in defraying the cost of the rehabilitation program.

 “We assure the community that Philex Mining will take care of the Silangan project even after its operations,” said PMC vice president for environment and community relations Victor Francisco. “This ensures that even before the actual operations, a rehabilitation plan as well as funds for such are in place already.”

Franciso said third party experts are being consulted in the formation of the mine closure plan which would then be submitted to the Mines and Geoscience Bureau (MGB) for approval.