IBALANGIBOG SA BILOG NA MUNDO, ORAGON AN BICOLANO! KAYA TA AN RESPONSABLENG PAGMIMINA SA RAPU-RAPU!

THE ������������������������ NEWSWEEK

VOL. 1 NO. 10 AN INTRA-COMPANY OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RAPU-RAPU POLYMETALLIC PROJECT AUGUST 21-27, 2006

IT’S A GO FOR THE 3rd PHASE OF THE TEST RUN

GREENPEACE REBUFFS COMPANY HOSPITALITY; TRESPASSES INSTEAD

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On August 24, 2006, the Rapu-Rapu Processing Inc. (RRPI), re-ceived the approval from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to start with the third and the final phase of its test run. This time the processing involves the use of chemi-cal reagents and ore-bearing materials for the production of base metal concentrates copper and zinc. The company hopes to be able to progressively step-up production of copper and zinc concentrates from nil to 30% , then 60%, then 80% of capacity, until its reaches full production within the 15-day trial period. No major difficulties are expected; the first two phases of the trial period gave the company sufficient opportunity to test the electro-mechanical systems in its base metal plant. The first phase involved the use of water only; the second phase involved the use of water and non-ore bearing materials. The signal to proceed with the 3rd phase was given 28 days after the successful completion of the 2nd phase of the trial period which ran for approximately 9 days. The company eagerly awaited this de-cision by the DENR as it had been about 10 months since the com-pany voluntarily stopped operations in October 31, 2005 and since then was not allowed to resume production. It had been operating for only three months before operations stopped.

The permit to continue with the third phase came only after the company met very stringent requirements from the various govern-ment regulatory bodies involved and which included the 15 condi-tions set by the Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee (MRFC) and the six conditions imposed by the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB). To put these in place, RRPI and Rapu-Rapu Minerals Inc. (RRMI) added more than Php 800 million worth of environmental and safety measures, especially in its processing plant, mining ar-eas, and tailings storage facilities. As a result of these improve-ments, the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project’s environmental man-agement system can now be truly considered a showcase of respon-sible mining in the Philippines and will perhaps become the bench-mark by which other new mines will be appraised.

On August 23, 2005, the management and employees of Rapu-Rapu Minerals Inc. (RMI) and Rapu-Rapu Processing Inc. (RRPI) welcomed a delegation of Green-peace protestors led by Father Ino Bugawisan. Among

those accompanying Fr. Ino were four foreign members of Greenpeace International. However, instead of accepting the invitation to come to the campsite and be given a tour of the plant and facilities, the delegation declined but only after making negative statements recorded by accompanying press. The next day, unknown to the company and in total disregard of rules of courtesy and private property, the three Caucasian greenpeace members climbed up the company’s conveyor belt and unfurled anti-mining banners for picture taking. In response to this incident, Sorsogon Gov. Raul Lee condemned the DENR incident. He said that “anti-mining militants have become de-structive and must be dealt with accordingly by authorities”. On its part, Lafayette Philippines, Inc (LPI) is preparing legal action against Greenpeace for trespassing and will petition for the deportation of the offending foreigners. Bayani Agabin, LPI legal counsel and spokesperson, said “Greenpeace has gone out of bounds in its irre-sponsible and counter-productive photo-ops that unfortunately some media outlets fall for.“

Operation Timbang: Re-weighing of children ages 0-5 years were con-ducted in Binosawan, Malobago, and Pagcolbon. A total of 74 children were found to be undernourished; of these, eight came from Pagcolbon, 28 from Malobago & 38 from Binosawan. This was an increase of 6 children: 5 from Malobago and one from Binosawan that were considered undernourished

during the Operation Timbang held four months ago in April 2006. Ms. Edna Homo, Municipal Health Officer was around to assist the Barangay Health Workers: Zeferina Bolaños from Pagcolbon, Cora-zon Echalas from Malobago, and Connie Bolaños from Binosawan. The activities in Pagcolbon and Malobago were completed on Au-gust 18 and in Binosawan on August 22, 2006. As a follow-up, the undernourished children in Pagcolbon had their medical check-up in the Emergency Clinic of the Rapu-Rapu Poly-metallic Project last August 22. It was conducted by Dr. Hernando Lorenzo, the company physician and assisted by Mark Errol Galispe, the company nurse.

Vol. 1 No. 10 page 2 THE NEWSWEEK August 21-27, 2006

EDITORIAL BOARD Managing Editor: Cecille Calleja � Con-tributors: Roger Corpus, Gilbert Llovit, Bong Eclipse � Ofel Ante � Production: Arnold A. Guadalupe, Kareen Asuncion, Mcken Belgica � Circulation: Nancy Alipar, C.A.R.E. Dept.

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� � ��� ���� �� �� ����� � ��� ���� �� �� ����� � ��� ���� �� �� ����� � ��� ���� �� �� ��������The company proudly congratulates the three newly hired staff, namely: Maylene Solis, Arthur Pacunana and Euland Turqueza for successfully passing the Philippine board ex-aminations for Mining Engineers and Geology recently given last August 18-24, 2006 in Manila. All three staff landed in the top 10; Arthur and Euland placed 4th and 9th respectively in the board of Mining Engineers while Maylene placed 7th in the Geology exams.

Arthur Dan Dacuycuy Pacunana, born in September 17, 1981, hails from Maligaya Tumaini, Isabela. He graduated from the University of the Philippines last November 2005 with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering. He joined the mining department of RRMI as staff mining engi-neer in June this year.

Euland Valencia Turqueza was born in April 19, 1981 and comes from Caggay, Tu-guegarao City, Cagayan. He graduated in June this year from the University of the Philippines with a degree in Bachelor of Sci-ence in Engineering. He joined the mining department of RRMI as staff mining engi-neer immediately after graduation.

BOOKS: The Alchemist, Paolo Coelho; The Carbohydrate Addict’s Lifespan Program, Dr. Richard F. Heller and Dr. Rachael F. Heller; The Art of War, Sun Tzu; Long Walk To Freedom, The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela; The Right Stuff, Tom Wolfe; Breathing Lessons, Anne Tyler; The Broker, John Grisham The Prophet, Khalil Gibran

BOOKS/MAGAZINES FOR EXCHANGE

Maylene De Guzman Solis, born in April 1, 1983, is one of our newest staff, having just very recently joined the geology depart-ment of RRMI as Geologist this month of August, 2006. She comes from Bagum-bong, Caloocan City, and is a graduate of Mapua Institute of Technology with a de-gree in Bachelor of Science in Geology. She graduated in July 2005.

On August 24, undernourished children in Malobago & Binosawan underwent a medical-check-up in their respective barangays. Dr. Domingo O. Vergara, Chief of the Rapu-Rapu District Hospital (RRDH) headed the medical team which included other members from the RRDH: Norlinda M. Competente, Pharmacist; Cristy V. Pabelonia, Nurse; and Elizabeth L. Manago, Nutritionist/Dietician. Additional medical team members came from the Rural Health Unit (RHU): two Rural Health Midwives: Edna P. Malavega and Ma. Eva P. Guianan; Christy E. Guianan, PPO; Ma. Cecille G. Bolaños, Public Health Nurse; and Lyndon P. Rempillo, Med-Tech. The medical check-up was conducted in Malobago in the morning. In the afternoon the medical team went to Binosawan where they ex-amined the children and then the adult residents. The supplemental feeding program for the undernourished children will be conducted by the Municipal government in cooperation with RRPI/RRMI. It will follow the medical check-up and de-worming activities. The daily feeding will be sustained for three months in order for the children to get the maximum benefit from the program.

Dr. Lorenzo & Nurse Errol conducting medical check-up

OPERASYON MALUSOG NA BATA: RE-WEIGHING AND MEDICAL MISSION IN BINOSAWAN, MALOBAGO, AND PAGCOLBON

Dr. Vergara in Malobago

Re-weighing in Binosawan

Rules of Exchange: 1. Book/Magazine can be borrowed in exchange for book/magazine of

similar category (ie fiction for fiction, magazine for magazine). 2. One book/magazine per person. 3. Duration of borrowing: 2 weeks, renewable two times. 4. Location of exchange: HR office 5. Clearing person: Joseph de la Rosa.

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