Nickel Asia Corp (NAC) said its environmental team met with residents of Manicani Island in Eastern Samar province to address concerns about its subsidiary Hinatuan Mining Corp’s (HMC) nickel project.
Manicani is an 11.65-square-kilomer island in Leyte Gulf with about 3,000 residents and is a part of Guiuan municipality.
The NAC said its environmental team, comprising foresters, marine biologists, pollution control officers and mining engineers, held an open dialogue with representatives from the island’s Banaag and Hamorawon villages.
Residents raised questions about water safety, pollution control, marine life preservation and land rehabilitation. The team provided science-based responses and explained the company’s strategies.
“We were grateful for the opportunity to talk to the communities on the island. This activity reaffirmed our commitment to working closely with them,” NAC assistant vice president for environment and safety Remy Camo said.
“We came prepared with clear, factual responses and appreciated the residents’ straightforward questions. Open dialogue is key to mutual trust and environmental stewardship,” said Camo.
Many of the concerns aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which NAC has incorporated into its Sustainability Roadmap. These include commitments under SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
HMC-MNP allocated P34 million in 2024 for environmental protection and enhancement programs (EPEP) to mitigate the environmental impact of mining operations on the island.
“The visit of the environmental team from the head office and the efforts of our environmental team on-site reflect our dedication to protecting and enhancing the environment in Manicani through responsible mining and ongoing environmental programs,” said HMC-MNP resident mine manager Philip Ines.
NAC said the dialogue is part of the company’s efforts to build partnerships with local communities, emphasizing that environmental protection requires their support and active participation.
