THE Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) has scheduled a public scoping for the proposed increase of extraction capacity and expansion of the mining area of the Gutalac Nickel Project in Zamboanga del Norte.
In a notice posted on its website, the EMB, a bureau under Department of Environment and Natural Resources, set the scoping on July 29, 2025 for the developer to present to the public an overview of the proposed project and gather issues, concerns and other relevant information.
The project is being developed by Florjenmar Mining Corp. with an estimated total operating cost of P11.35 billion for a seven-year lifetime of the mine, the notice said.
The document added that from 2022 to 2023, Florjenmar Mining secured exploration permits for a 12,200.01-hectare area, but its environmental compliance certificate allows only the extraction of up to 500,000 metric tons (MT) of nickel per year.
The company’s latest application seeks clearance to have a maximum extraction rate of up to 5 million MT of nickel annually for seven years.
EMB said the company aims to deploy strip or contour mining methods, which incorporate a progressive mining rehabilitation to minimize the adverse effects on the surrounding environment.
A minimum of two pits or sections will also be maintained by the company to provide flexibility in mine operations and ore grade control apart from the use of backhoes, excavators, shovels, loaders and wheeling trucks.
“All run-of-mine ores will be hauled direct to the drying stockyards or in some cases, loading stockyards in preparation for shipment,” the document added.
The filing said the project aims to offer additional economic opportunity, job generation, skills upgrade for the local community; livelihood, health and medical programs; increase in tax revenue and development of local projects.
About 1,500 assorted staff and workers for each department will also be employed by the company for the overall mine operations, the document added.
Meanwhile, the power supply of the proposed project during the construction phase will be temporarily provided by standby generator sets.
During the operations phase, the Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative can provide the company electricity for lighting, office equipment and shop machineries, mine camps and other logistical requirements.
The company will source water supply from nearby creek tributaries during the mine operations. However, the company will tap local commercial suppliers for drinking water to ensure potability and hygiene, even if groundwater is also being considered.
