A series of meetings, discussions, and workshops solidifies the promise from Japan, Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) to help the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to execute the latter’s effort to rehabilitate abandoned and inactive mining sites in the Philippines and prevent mine pollution.
JOGMEC will offer technical support for investigation, basic planning, design of engineering works particularly on the administration of acid mine drainage treatment facility; and research and development focusing on technologies for efficiency and cost reduction of mine control pollution.
The Japanese corporation also vows to provide financial assistance for the management of mine pollution prevention funds and provision of finance and loans for private companies; and international cooperation through holding of technical seminar by Japanese experts of mining pollution prevention.
On the other hand, Engr. Rodolfo L. Velasco, Jr., Mine and Geosciences Bureau’s Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division (MGB-MSESD) chief, presented the current situation of abandoned and inactive mines in the Philippines during the workshops.
Other topics talked about in the workshops were JOGMEC’s new technology research on mine pollution control measures and the action plan for the mine pollution control implemented in Japan.
The event is in line with the preparation of the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) by and between the country’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Ministry and Economy Trade and Industry of Japan.
The said MOC is expected to be approved in the first half of 2019, then, follows a planned technical training of MGB personnel on mine pollution control in September in Japan.
The combination of meetings, discussions, and workshops was held on January 18, 2019 at Seda Vertis North and MGB Central Office.
