The Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) on Wednesday disclosed that it has invested over P203 million in the first half of the year to fully implement an environmentally-sound mining.
PNIA executive director Charmaine Olea-Capili, in a briefing, told reporters that a bulk of the investment or about P60 million was set aside for “progressive rehabilitation” amid the pandemic.
“PNIA members have consistently demonstrated our commitment to environmental protection and rehabilitation. We have full-time environment and technical experts who study the ecosystem and soil of each area to ensure which tree species will suit the environment,” Capili said.
Apart from the ongoing reforestation, Capili noted that the PNIA has pledged over P30 million in pandemic relief assistance under their Social Development Management Programs.
The PNIA, with its eight-member companies, ramped up its Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program with 6.3 million trees planted over 3,167 hectares in their respective mining areas.
Despite the slowdown in operations, the PNIA’s rehabilitation efforts resulted in a 13.9 percent growth in the total number of trees planted as of the second quarter of the year. Last year, PNIA reported 5.3 million trees planted.
To recall, mining companies have been affected by the suspension of mining and shipping in the country’s main nickel ore-producing region of Caraga for several weeks earlier this year due to coronavirus lockdown measures.