Intex spends over P140M on environmental protection

MANILA, Philippines - Still in the exploration stage, Intex Resources Philippines, Inc. has spent – from 2008 up to June this year – over P140 million for environmental protection and management initiatives for its Mindoro nickel project .

A huge portion of these expenses was disbursed in 2008 and 2009 at the height of Intex’s exploration and drilling activities in portions of its property, which straddles the provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro. Through its innovative design and unique process solutions, the Mindoro nickel project is expected to set new standards for the nickel industry with its unprecedented low-carbon emissions, independence of fossil fuels, and exceptionally low environmental impact.

 â€œWith the end in view of systematically and effectivelymitigating the potential impacts of minerals exploration and, subsequently, development, on both the environment and host communities, Intex commissioned a thorough assessment or baseline study of Mindoro,” Leo Cleto Gamolo, Intex president said. 

“The study was conducted by a host of Filipino and foreign experts, including environmental engineers, botanists, mining engineers, environmental project managers, biologists, social scientists, hydrologists, and agro-foresters, among others.

The baseline study was led by the University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation, Inc. for an inventory of the island’s flora and fauna. 

Lichtel Technologies, Inc., on the other hand, undertook the comprehensive social and environmental studies, which became the cornerstone of MNP’s environmental impact study (EIS). 

The EIS provides the framework for, among others, Intex’s environmental management plan, which identifies the predicted impacts, the mitigating and enhancement measures, the responsible parties that will implement the mitigating measures, the schedule of implementation, and the guarantees or programs that will address the impacts.

The environmental protection and management measures encompass all stages of the mine life – from exploration, development, construction, commissioning operation, and decommissioning and total rehabilitation. 

These measures include land, water, air and noise pollution control, soil loss and erosion management, rehabilitation and reforestation, and environmental monitoring.

“Intex has also taken an interest in helping solve Mindoro’s perennial flooding problems - a major concern that has antedated our exploration activities on the island,” Gamolo adds. 

Our company commissioned Phillips Technical Consultants Corp., the consulting arm of the FF Cruz Corp; as well as DHI Water and Environment SdnBhd, a leading international expert on water management, to conduct flood study for the Bucayao, Panggalaan and Mag-asawangTubig Rivers in Oriental Mindoro.”

In 2009, Intex constructed Gabion protection dike structures worth P10 million for the people of Barangay Alcate,Victoria, Oriental Mindoro to avoid further deterioration of the road leading to communities in the municipality, which have been seriously damaged by previous floods. 

The company spent an additional P29million  for an in-depth study by independent experts and scientists fromGolder Associates PTY Ltdto determine the real cause of flooding in Mindoro Island. The completed study has since been turned over to local government officials.