Participants at the DCSMIThe Australian Agency for International Development in coordination with the Mining Environment and Safety Division of Mines and Geosciences Bureau conducted a 5-Day Seminar/Workhop on Environmental Management in Mining on April 13-19.2008 at Bakasyunan Resort , Iba-Zambales.

The seminar which comprised participants from Regions 1-5 aimed to equip the MGB personnel with enhanced environmental and social awareness skills and develop a framework/structure whereby the staff can continually update their skills with the latest leading practice approaches to environmental and social issue management.

The training was divided into two parts; mine visits and lectures which focused on three topics namely: risk assessment of operating, inactive and abandoned Mines; environmental management, monitoring and audit; and mine rehabilitation/closure/completion. Abandoned mine sites that were visited by the group were the Dizon Silver Copper Mines Inc. (DCSMI) in San Marcelino, and Crau Mineral Corp. in Sta Cruz, Zambales.

Resource speakers were Dr. Barry Noller, Honorary Research Consultant and Engr. Graeme McIlveen, Project Development Manager, both from University of Queensland, Australia.