Ozone Day
Marks occasion as D-Day: a tree-planting activity for a healthy workspace
Jabonga, Agusan del Norte/ October 2020 – In line with its philosophy of “Starting it right, keeping the end in mind,” Agata Mining Ventures Inc., (AMVI) underscores its environmental conservation measures by conducting a tree-planting activity in observance of World Ozone Day 2020. While maintaining health protocols, Agata employees and contractor personnel alike planted some 350 seedlings of Hindang, Bignay, and Sagimsim trees – all these while getting much-needed exercise and sunlight to boost their immune system.
The initiative is aligned with the company’s D-Day health protocol as well as its overall progressive rehabilitation efforts aimed at restoring the greenery in mined-out areas. The Saturday morning routine engages 30-40 participants to plant trees and receive a natural dose of Vitamin D which is referred to as “the sunshine vitamin” that builds immunity against known viruses.
The activity is also an extension of tree-planting activities that commenced during World Environment Month in June this year.
Now on its fourth month, Agata’s employees and contractors have already planted a total of 3,900 saplings across 1.56 hectares. These include varieties of Mangium, Narra, Hindang, Agoho, African Tulip, Teak, Mangkono, Ipil-ipil, Flemengia, Rensonii, Indigo, Tulo, Marang, Rambutan, Pagoho, Vetiver grass, Avanica and Bignay.
A breath of life
“We give importance to protecting the Ozone Layer because we value the future, and not only because we want to comply with environmental laws. We aim to create a greener and more sustainable environment as we pursue the development of an Agroforestry and Ecotourism Hub,” said Agata Environment Manager Jesalyn Guinguing.
To date, the company has already planted more than 395,000 trees across 369 hectares in and around its mine site. This translates to a forest density of over 1,000 trees per hectare that provides added protection to the Ozone Layer – which in turn, protects us from global warming.
For the overall sustainability of its communities, Agata is also the first mining company to adapt an ecotourism concept by rolling-out its thematic landscaping program in rehabilitating mined-out areas.
“We make sure that the environment is in its best condition, before, during and after mining operations. Projects are implemented from end-to-end for each of our EPEP subcomponents, further ensuring that life will continue to thrive long after mining,” Guinguing added.
Ongoing reforestation
The rehabilitation of mined-out disturbed areas falls under the Land Resource Management component of Agata’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPP), which also includes Water Resource and Quality, Air Quality, Noise and Vibration, Conservation Values, Environmental Research and Training projects.
The company has sustained its rehabilitation of mined-out areas this year as well as the landscaping and maintenance of its key environment areas such as the surrounding area of the site office grounds, view decks, the Agroland area, the Payong-payong Recreational Shed (near the Agata private port), its hazardous waste storage facility and its material recovery facility.
Recognition
Agata has also been recognized for spearheading its environmental advocacies. The company recently garnered first place for its entry in a competition spearheaded by the DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional XIII, in partnership with the Caraga Mine Environmental Management Council Inc. (CMEMCI).
Its winning presentation, “Protecting Nature for a Sustainable Future: The Agata Story,” showcased Agata’s vision in environmental preservation.
The company is likewise a back-to back recipient of the prestigious Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) for its best practices in safety and health management, environmental protection, and community development in previous years.