The Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project (RRPP) is the first mine set up in the Philippines after RA 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 took effect. The mine produces copper and zinc concentrates, with gold and silver by-products, making the pioneer polymetallic mine established under the new mining law.
RRPP is the largest private enterprise in Albay, with investments of over US$100 million. Together with its contractors, the mine employs over 1,400 persons, of whom ninety percent come from the Bicol region.
The Project is jointly operated by the Rapu-Rapu Minerals, Inc. (RRMI) and the Rapu-Rapu Processing, Inc. (RRPI). In October 2008, three shareholders, LG International (LGI), Korea Resources Corp. (KORES), and Malaysia Smelting Corp. (MSC) invested in RRPP and restarted its operations; guided by commitments to responsible mining for sustainable development, to respect the interest of all stakeholders, and to develop partnerships to realize socio-economic progress for the country.
The Mine Site. The mine site is situated at the eastern tip of the island of Rapu-Rapu, about 45 kilometers from Legazpi City in the mainland of Albay. Rapu-Rapu Island, which consists of narrow coastal plains (12 % of the land area), rolling-to-steep slopes (81% of the land area) and very steep slopes and mountains (2.3% of the land area), has been host to mining projects since pre-war years, on account of its mineral wealth. Strategically situated at the eastern exit of Albay Province to the Pacific Ocean, it serves as a natural buffer against typhoons blowing from the east toward the Albay Gulf.
Concession and Mine Development Area. The Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project has acquired the concession to explore and mine 180 hectares in the Ungay-Malobago mineral reserve on Rapu-Rapu Island. The contiguous area set aside for the mine field enfolds tracts of land within the jurisdiction of three adjoining villages, namely, Barangay Malobago (pop: 936), Barangay Pagcolbon (pop: 287), and Barangay Binosawan (pop: 986).
Mine Camp Site. Of the total project area, 26 hectares is occupied by the mine pit, 5 hectares by the processing plant, 20 hectares has been developed to accommodate the field offices, housing for employees, a mini-hospital, gym, mess hall and other amenities, including a road network that connects the camp to the wharf and to outlying barangays. These facilities are located in the Pagcolbon-Malobago area. The waste dumps and tailings retention area that include a 24-hectare tailings storage facility and a 26-hectare tailings storage embankment are located in Barangay Binosawan.
The Ungay-Malobago Deposit . Studies have shown that the Ungay Deposit has a proven mineral reserve of 5,857,756 metric tons and a probable mineral reserve of 121,017 metric tons more. (Source: Lafayette 2001). Of the proven mineral reserve in the open pit mine, gold was ascertained at 2.51 g/t and silver at 27.97 g/t where the percentage of copper was 1.23 and the percentage of zinc was 2.10. Of the probable mineral reserve, gold was calculated at 2.07 g/t and silver at 22.8 g/t, where the percentage of copper was gauged at 1.03 and zinc at 1.87. Another study also gave evidence that the Ungay deposit can possibly yield an estimated 7,022,000 metric tons, accordingly classed as follows: measured – 6,397,000 MT, indicated – 324,000 MT, and inferred – 301,000 MT (Source: Micromine 2001).
Impact Areas. An Environment Impact Study (EIS) of the RRPP identified three barangays as direct impact areas (Pagcolbon, Malobago, and Binosawan) and three barangays (Linao, Tinopan, and Santa Barbara) as indirect impact areas.
Mine Capital Cost. In 2003, at the reopening of the mine under new management, the Project had an estimated capital cost of U.S. $33,509,812 (about Php1.776-B at the exchange rate back then of U.S. $1 = Php53), assessed at an overall accuracy of plus or minus 10 percent.
Mining Operations. The current operations of RRPP focuses on sustainable development, environmental management, enhanced relationship with stakeholders, and social responsibility in terms of environmental safety, health and well-being, not just that of company workers but also that of the communities around the mine site.
The Management sees to it that corporate social responsibility performance underscores a program that takes into account current trends and issues on the environment, local/national socio-economic development plans, and related areas of concern.
Responsible Mining. “Responsible mining” defines how the RRPP does business. As a leading mining venture in the Bicol region, the Project has a responsibility to protect the environment, to contribute to the welfare of the communities in which the mine operates, and to conduct work safely at all times by observing high safety standards.
Environmental Management. The polymetallic mine project earned its ISO certification 14001:2004 on August 2007 and RRMI earned its ISO 14001:2004 in February 2008. All surveillance audits have already been passed for years 2009 to 2010.
