Semirara Mining and Power Corp. is in talks with the Energy Department and the local government unit of Antique on the final land use plan for Panian mine.
“We want to turn over something that will continue to benefit the government and host community. Island sustainability is our main concern,” Semirara president and chief operating Victor Consunji said in a statement.
Semirara said it was now working to restore the ecological balance of Panian pit, which was recently closed following the depletion of its mineable coal reserves.
The depletion was certified by the Energy Department after its visit to Semirara Island on Sept. 20 to 21.
“Our goal is to restore the topography of Panian and promote flora and fauna growth in the area,” Consunji said.
Prior to pre-mine operation, Panian area was characterized by rolling hills of open grasslands and numerous gullies with shrubs and trees.
Semirara has begun filling Panian pit with overburden materials from Molave and Narra Mines, its two operating pits to restore the ecological balance of the area.
Initial progressive rehabilitation was also started in 2005 near Casay Lake at the western part of Panian. To date, over 250 hectares of the area have been planted with nearly 2 million trees.
Once the Panian mine pit becomes a stable landform, Semirara will cover the area with humic acid, compost and other materials to add nutrients to the soil.
Semirara said a massive reforestation program would involve endemic and suitable plant species.
“The in-pit of Panian mine would no longer look like a depleted mine since the final elevation would be around -10 meters at the northern side and +30 meters at the central barricade and +10 meters at the southern side,” said Consunji.
The over 10-meter elevation is planned to be a fresh water reservoir while the bottom part is being eyed as a possible beach resort, grazing land, pearl farm or marine sanctuary that will be turned over to the local government unit for possible development into an ecotourism spot.
Semirara is the only power producer in the Philippines that generates its own fuel. It produces over 800 MW of baseload power for the Luzon grid.
