To promote environmental sustainability as a shared responsibility, Carmen Copper Corporation has partnered with eight people’s organizations (PO) in Toledo City to rehabilitate 100 hectares of waste dump and mined out areas this 2020.

In this undertaking, dubbed as Community Based Reforestation Project, Carmen Copper together with the members of the POs shall jointly grow trees from seedling production up to planting, while the latter earn in the process.

This project is aimed to intensify progressive rehabilitation – a staged approach to re-vegetation as mining operations are ongoing.

This partnership with the community is also a way to raise awareness that environmental sustainability is everybody’s responsibility and inculcate a culture of responsible stewardship among employees and members of the community.

It will also provide livelihood opportunities to more than 250 members.

A total of 285,000 seedlings of Acacia auri are targeted to be produced. About 2,500 seedlings shall be planted per hectare or a total of 250,000 seedlings to cover 100 hectares.

The Community Based Reforestation Project in partnership with eight People’s Organizations in Toledo City was formally launched last June 25, 2020 during the celebration of Arbor Day and Philippine Environment Month. In the photo are members of the Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Poog from Barangay Poog.

Acacia auriculiformis or Auri is a suitable species that can survive acidic soil and has more than 80 percent survival rate. According to the Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Auri is one of the few species found efficient in absorbing the metals and distributing heavy metals from its roots to leaves making it suitable for mine rehabilitation.

The areas identified for the project are the Mabais Waste Rock Dump Site, South Lutopan and an inactive area in the Carmen pit.

More than P13 million is earmarked for the project to be funded under the company’s Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) for the livelihood component and Environment Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP) for the reforestation aspect.

The participating organizations are the Barangay Biga Bagong Buhay Association of Barangay Biga, Bagakay Farmers Association of Barangay Bagakay, Santa Cruz Farmers Association of Barangay Loay, Pandong Bato Farmers Association of Barangay Media Once, Sam-ang Farmers Association of Barangay Sam-ang, ABSA Christian Farmers Livelihood Association of Barangay Don Andres Soriano and Ilag-Cantabaco Homebased Workers Association of Barangay Cantabaco.