BAGUIO CITY—Benguet Corp. and its development partner, Goldrich Natural Resources Exploration and Development Inc., has signed separate agreements with the City Government of Baguio and the Municipal Government of Itogon for the conversion of its Antamok properties into an engineered sanitary landfill.
The landfill would have a waste-to-energy compost plant geared toward sustainable environmental preservation and protection in the concerned localities, the mining firm said.
The Antamok project is in the mine rehabilitation plan to be implemented in the affected areas under the final mine rehabilitation and decommissioning plan approved by the MGB, Benguet Corp. added.
Once implemented, the Antamok project will effectively address the solid waste management of the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay or BLISTT area, following the provisions of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, and that the project is imbued with public interest, the firm said.
The proposed facilities for the project will cover a portion of BC’s 60-hectare property to be used for the proposed engineered sanitary landfill and waste-to-energy plants.
Signing the agreement on behalf of Benguet Corp. was Executive Director Isidro C. Alcantara Jr., while Goldrich was represented by its president, Atty. Jaime A. Paredes Jr.
Baguio was represented by Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan while Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan also signed the pact.
Under the agreement, BC will turn over its Antamok properties in favor of Goldrich that are needed for the landfill and waste-to-energy project, as well as give Goldrich access to the properties through Benguet Corp.’s surrounding properties for the entire economic life of the project.
BC shall retain ownership of Antamok and can access it any time for operations and repair-and-maintenance activities of its underground facilities and other mine structures in the area.
At the end of the agreement, which lasts 25 years and renewable for another 25, the possession of the patented lands shall revert to Benguet Corp.
The mining firm will also secure the approval from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau as part of the mine rehabilitation program of Antamok.
Meanwhile, Itogon will deliver and dispose exclusively at Antamok all the town’s solid waste generated and collected by its communities once the engineered sanitary landfill is ready for operation. The town will only do so upon receiving written notice from Goldrich, and issue the endorsement necessary for the implementation, operation and maintenance of the Antamok project.
Under the agreement, Itogon is also mandated to encourage the maintenance of public assistance and support for the Antamok project, and handle and intervene in community issues or opposition covering the project.
The municipality would also assist Goldrich in securing, maintaining and renewing its relevant local business permits, licenses, authorizations and clearances for the continued operation of the project and its related facilities, provided the firm shall have complied with all material requirements.
For purposes of operating the temporary storage facility, Itogon shall serve all necessary permits from the Environmental Management Bureau and other government agencies.
Goldrich is then obliged to arrange financing for the Antamok project, commission and implement it and its related facilities, after having complied with all material requirements. It would also share with Benguet Corp. the proceeds of the sale of energy generated by the project.
Baguio City it is obliged to deliver and exclusively dispose in Antamok at least 300 tons of waste within its territory once the sanitary landfill aspect of the project is ready for operation, and shall pay tipping fees to Goldrich in an amount to be agreed upon by both parties.