DMCI Holdings Inc. through Berong Nickel Corp. (BNC) has completed 88 percent of its annual land preparation target in six months to rehabilitate over 30 hectares of the 34- ha full-year target at the Berong mine in Palawan.
The mine opened in October 2006 and was fully depleted by December 2021.
Since June last year, BNC has been conducting a final rehabilitation program in the area that covers 109 ha of surface mine, 209 ha of silt control structures and 25 ha of stockpile area.
After rehabilitation, the disturbed areas could be used for eco-tourism, agro-forestry and inland fish farming by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, local government units and host communities.
BNC said it also accelerated its erosion control and soil stabilization efforts by installing 672 coconets which is nearly six times its annual target of 116.
The company also laid down 1,721 meters of geo-textiles to significantly enhance the ecological stability of the areas under rehabilitation.
BNC said land preparation is a critical component of the mine rehabilitation process which includes slope benching and soil matting to avoid landslides, promote vegetation growth and create a more hospitable environment for returning wildlife.
“ In our first year, we were able to exceed many of our rehabilitation targets…,” said Tulsi Das Reyes, BNC president, in a statement.
Reyes said BNC also topped its seedling production and transplantation targets for 2023 as the company produced 214,052 seedlings, 152 percent higher than its 85,000 target.
BNC said prior to the depletion of the Berong mine, the resource area generated 1,634 direct and indirect jobs and yielded 10.3 million wet metric tons of nickel ore and P2.6 billion in duties, royalties and taxes.
