Human Rights Online Philippines

ATM Statement on the Mass Layoff in OceanaGold Mining Project
March 2, 2020

On the report that more than 800 workers will be laid off by the OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. (OGPI) in its mining project in Didipio mine in Nueva Vizcaya, Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) is making its position clear.

We understand the anxiety and distress being faced by the mine workers of OGPI. However, this mine closure should not have been a major surprise to the management and the workers.

The closure of the Didipio Mine is a foreseeable event, in as much as the mining contract had a clear expiration date. Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement No. 1 (FTAA # 1) was scheduled to expire on June 19, 2019. OGPI failed to secure a renewal of its mining contract, and therefore, mine closure was effected by local authorities.

A just transition should be implemented by OGPI immediately.

OGPI should ensure that full compensation, severance and retirement benefits must be accorded to all affected mine workers. In addition, all affected mine workers should undergo re-tooling, training or referral to possible new jobs or employment. Whenever feasible, OGPI should also launch livelihood interventions for the affected workers, particularly those who are based in Brgy. Didipio or within the Municipality of Kasibu.

OGPI must disclose, explain and continue the complete implementation of the Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plan (MRDP) which is an attached document to its approved mining contract. In addition, the elements and commitments elaborated in the Social Development Management Plan (SDMP) must be fully implemented by OGPI.

These just transition activities must be implemented with the full cooperation of the local governments of Nueva Vizcaya, including the barangay, municipal and provincial officials. Meanwhile, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the DENR must supervise these implementation activities.

OGPI must start accepting the fact that it has no license to operate, and that it has failed to secure its renewal permit, and therefore, urgently implement its commitments spelled in the MRDP and SDMP.

For more details, please contact:

Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator, nc@alyansatigilmina.net / (+63917) 549-82-18

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