October 2-october 8, 2006

IBALANGIBOG SA BILOG NA MUNDO, ORAGON AN BICOLANO!

KAYA TA AN RESPONSABLENG PAGMIMINA SA RAPU-RAPU!

THE VOL. 1 NO. 16

NEWSWEEK

AN INTRA-COMPANY OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RAPU-RAPU POLYMETALLIC PROJECT

OCTOBER 2 - 8, 2006

The second condition puts the weight on the competence of Environmental and Engineering Departments of the company since it calls for the adoption of environmental measures and strict adherence to DENR standards. Presently, those standards were even exceeded; the concept for environmental protection was raised to a higher level by the company. Several effective methods were employed by the Environmental Department to rehabilitate the creeks that use to be acidic due to previous mining explorations. These waterways are now within the standards of DENR. The Polishing ponds and wetland facility designed to further filter the effluents were also put in place. Regular sampling of the water and tailings for trace metals are conducted regularly to ensure compliance with the environmental standards. Reports on these activities and findings are submitted to the DENR on a weekly basis. RRMI/RRPI’s Base Metal Plant

Halfway through the 60-day extension of provisional permit to run,

the only copper-zinc mine in the county is ready for business and very confident that the resumption of the full operation will be granted as all of the conditions of the Pollution Adjudication Board were far exceeded. There were six conditions imposed, first of which is to institute transparency and validating mechanism to the public. In compliance, the company opened its doors to the scrutiny of the public. The test run operation was laid bare to 192 individuals coming from various organizations, government and non-government agencies, academe and religious sector, and many others. (More visitors are expected to visit the site before the end of the 60extension.) Observers were convinced that the operation of the company is environmentally safe and hence should merit the permanent lifting of the TRO. Valuable inputs were also solicited from them through the feedback forms which unanimously push for the resumption of operation. Part of the first condition is to commission third party experts to observe the test run and its results. Their assessment reports form part of the company’s compliance.

RRPI

and RRMI spearheaded its landmark Internal Audits on its Environmental Management System (EMB) on 15-16 and 23-24 September 2006 respectively. The EMS Audit covers all the With the powerpoint presentation of Engr. Be Pacis, Mr. Berfunctional ares of nard Salvo announce the findings of the EMS audit. the companies for a three-fold objective, to wit: 1. verify compliance of the organization to the planned arrangements, standards and environment management system; 2. check adequacy of the documented system in satisfying requirements of ISO 14001: 2004; and 3. to determine areas for improvement. An opening meeting for both audits was conducted in order to confirm the purpose and scope of the audit and the ISO 14001: 2004 standard to be used. It was attended by the Area Heads and the auditors.

The fourth condition seeks operationalize Emergency Preparedness and Response Program (EPRP) and to include the communities in its implementation and development. In view of these, unannounced EPRP drills were conducted simulating incidents like oil spill, rupture of lines containing copper and zinc, fuel, security breach, land slide and accidents. ]

Fifth condition; DENR, mandated that a 3rd party expert must assess and recommend measures with regards to the integrity and design of the tailings dam as well as the measures to prevent or control Acid Mine Drainage. The company responded with a tailings dam that will stand unwavering in an earthquake of 8.25 in the Richter Scale and it has a containment capacity of 1 million cubic meters of water. Sixth condition is the implementation of Environmental Management System to ensure ISO certification for 14001. On this respect, the RRPI and RRMI formulated their respective Environment Policy. The same is already approved. To intensify the campaign, an Environment Management awareness Orientation for top managers down to the employees was conducted. The Policy is also disseminated to the stakeholders. RRMI/RRPI’s new management seeks to contribute effectively to future sustainable development that is why it is consistent in applying environmental management practices. With the present environmental protection set up, the company literally cured the “sins of the past” in order for the people to welcome the mining industry. The company recognizes the essential role of mining in the future development and its importance in the maintenance of the living standard throughout the world as well as the conservation of nature. Hence it extracts and uses resources efficiently and it is sincere in its intention to restore the disturbed land after the life of the mine. With these motivations and objectives, the company was able to meet and even exceed the standards set by DENR and it is now very much ready for business.

Supplemental Feeding, on-going! Supplemental feeding for the children in the three host barangays, Binosawan, Pagcolbon, and Malobago, was launched on Sept 23, 2006. The project under the “Malusog na Bata ng Rapu-Rapu Program” is one of the priority projects of the company for the host communities. The beneficiaries of this project are 38 undernoushed children in Binosawan, 10 in Pagcolbon, and 19 in Malobago. They will be given soya milk and other nutritious food for the whole 120 days.

VOL. 1 NO. 16 page 2

THE

OCTOBER 2 - 8, 2006

NEWSWEEK

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Antonio D. Deligero Pangpang, Sorsogon City CARE Officer Hired: August 1, 2006

Ricardo Cawaling Bulua, Cagayan De Oro Security Officer Hired: August 23, 2006

Cherry M. Manrique P3 Binitayan, Daraga Albay Jr. Environmental Engineer Hired: Sept. 16, 2006

Diosdado A. Tejero Lutopan, Toledo City, Cebu Sr. Process Technician Hired: August 29, 2006

Fredrich A. Martindale Old Albay, Legazpi City Geology Staff Hired: Sept. 25, 2006

Rey Carlo B. Belgica Cabangan, Legazpi City ICE Officer Hired: Sept. 1, 2006

Ma. Kristinna P. Orlina Cadet CARE Officer P. Paterno St., Guinobatan Albay Hired: Sept. 25, 2006 "# $

Alex Madera 62 Figueroa St., Cebu City AVP - Geology Hired: Sept. 7, 2006

Emilio E. Tabilog Pagcolbon, Rapu Rapu, Albay Maintenance Crew Hired: Sept. 27, 2006

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Audit schedules and reporting procedures were also presented. Confidentiality of audit documents was also ensured.

NANCY G. ALIPAR Famous people born in EDMAR C. BALONZO October BONDOY D. EDDIE Julie Andrews - Randy Quaid MELVIN B. CANTOR Mahatma Gandhi - Sting Richard Gordon - Neils Bohr JESUS B. DELOVINO John Lennon - James Clavell ORLAN B. DETICIO Hillary Rodham Clinton JOSE L. DINOY Theodore Roosevelt RICKY A. ECHANE Julia Roberts - Bill Gates RICSENOR F. FLORES Winona Ryder Christopher Columbus GRACE S. LUCAÑAS John Keats ERNESTO M. MINERO Eleanor Roosevelt DOMINGO B. NIVERO SR. Luciano Pavarotti ANTONIO D. PULIDO JR Margaret Thacher Dwight Eisenhower JULIUS R. REQUILLAS Pablo Picasso CAEDMON REY G. ALCANTARA LAWRENCE OLIVER G. ARAOJO "# $

There are four (4) EMS auditors for the Pre-Internal Audit who were competent on basis of education, skills, training and experience. They are Carmelita Pacis, Gilbert Llovit, Fermin Nebres and Bernard Salvo. The auditors for the internal audit were Ronnie Falogme, Andrew Conrad Calma, Ronald Verceles, Miguel Villamor, Jason Magdaong, Angel Cao, Carmelita Pacis, Gilbert Llovit, Roy Cervantes and Ma. Criselda Bolaños. The Auditees were all overwhelmingly cooperative and aware of the internal audit conducted. Suggestions were also lifted from them. Mr. Teody Marquez, SVP for Corporate Services, lauded the efforts of the auditees and auditors for this worthwhile undertaking during the closing meeting of the Internal Audit on September 24.

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Forty six (46) parents participated in the Organizational meeting and the orientation in preparation for the launching which was conducted by Ms. Irma Lanuzo, a private nutritionist hired to help start the implementation of the project. These parents were encouraged to exert their effort and cooperate in mitigating the problem the health situation of their children. The project seeks to involve the parents particularly the mothers in the fight against malnutrition by giving them tasks in the actual feeding. Parents’ Committees were formed to ensure a better coordination and flow of each feeding activity and the specific duties and responsibilities were also made clear to them. It is expected that the beneficiaries will be emancipated from undernourishment at the end of the project. Post-project assessment will also be done in order to determine whether or not it is necessary to continue the feeding project. EDITORIAL BOARD Managing Editor: Cecille Calleja Contributors: Gilbert Llovit, Arnold Guadalupe Bicol Translation: Nelson Buenafe, Roy Cervantes Production: Kay Orlina, Mcken Belgica Circulation: Mcken Belgica, Nancy Alipar, C.A.R.E. Dept.

Lead Auditor, Mr. Gilbert Llovit, discusses audit protocol and schedules

In general, the EMS internal audit takes its crucial role of making an accurate picture of the EMS of the Company through adding value in the opportunities for improvement and the good points worthy of emulation for the continual improvement of the system. It is emphasized that the EMS Audit is based on a limited sample done randomly and other nonconformities may exist. The organization remains steadfast in the effective and efficient implementation of the Environmental Management System and in conformance to the requirements of the ISO 14001:2004 Standard.