Mining firm backs seminar on natural calamities

STUDENTS of the Pantukan National High School (PNHS), mostly members of the school’s Teen’s Science Builders Club (TSBC), held a two-day seminar on natural calamities and how to mitigate its effects.

The event’s theme, “Natuready: Unravel the causes. Build the Solution. Empower science clubbers to action,” aimed to raise awareness among the participants on “the causes of natural calamities which are becoming more frequent in recent times, and the mitigating measures that can be done to minimize effect if not fully prevent these disasters.”

The two-day seminar was spearheaded by the Interschool Philippine Society of Youth Science Club (PSYSC) and the King-king Copper Gold Project (KCGP).

KCGP is a partnership between Nationwide Development Corporation (Nadecor) and St. Augustine Gold & Copper Ltd. (SAGCL) where the two companies are working together to develop the world class gold and copper project in Pantukan in coordination with the local communities.

KCGP provided all the resources for the seminar as it saw the necessity for the students to get full support in such activities, for them to appreciate the significance in understanding nature and increase their level of responsibility in taking care of the environment.

There was also a tree planting activity during the opening of the seminar, which was participated in by the campers, teachers, and KCGP employees. The campers also took a tour around KCGP’s central nursery atSitio Ayan in Brgy. Kingking.

In his speech during the opening day program, Clyde Gillespie, country manager of St. Augustine Gold and Copper Ltd (SAU), spoke on the importance of environment preservation and the role the youth offers in achieving such objectives.

He said that the project appreciated the chance of “being able to partner with the youth of Pantukan in improving and preserving the environment.” Adding that KCGP wants to be known as a mining project with “a heart for the environment.”

For her part, Balbina Tolentino of PNHS expressed happiness “for the all-out support extended by KCGP” for the activity. She said that “because of KCGP the burden of trying to find a benefactor to get the camp running was lifted off our shoulders, which gave us ample time to fully prepare for the more important aspects of the event.”

Speaking in behalf of all campers, Joey Clinton Mondejar, PNHS’ TSBC President, expressed his delight for the success of the event.