You’ll Never Guess What this Mining Company Does

 

Mining has a bad rap because of its negative effects to the environment and the miners who risk their lives to extract minerals and other geological materials. Some of the known effects of this extraction are pollution, deforestation, direct poisoning on organisms, and contamination of microorganisms and crops. While mining also has positive effects such as employment and community development projects, the bad effects seem to outweigh the good.

That’s why when we saw these pictures of a mining site in Bataraza, Palawan, we were worried about the effects of the extraction on the environment. Turns out we have nothing to worry about because the Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Site is doing the complete opposite of what we expected. Here’s what they were doing, as shared by Ilayah Borja on Facebook:

 

 

“A typical mining site? I don’t think so. Oh, look! There’s a little bit of green over there.”

 

“Greener? Yes. They use planting machines to restore nature in mined out areas.”

 

“At first, I also couldn’t believe I was actually in a mining site. I was startled.”

 

“Yup! A collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources (DENR) creating a restoration lab. Responsible mining, huh?”

 

“A hut made for indigenous people living in the site.”

 

“There were even crops planted here!”

 

“Did I mention there are tilapias swimming there?”

 

“RTNC also build houses for the indigenous people living in Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan. This is the 5th compound they’ve built!”

 

“Leonides S. Virata Memorial School, Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan. They also have a school supervised by De La Salle Greenhills. I’m telling you. This computer lab will ruin your elementary and high school years.”

 

“Guys, it’s a Mac lab. Never did we use Mac in our computer class. The next one struck me the most.”

 

“Grade 1 to Grade 6 – Basics, Grade 7 – Photoshop, Grade 8 – Animation, Grade 9 – Web Design, Grade 10 – AutoCAD”

 

“Nickel is used in innumerable things we use in our everyday living. This includes our phones, coins, medical equipment, transportation, and so on!”

 

According to Ilayah:

 

Even I fell for the portrayal of media that mining is destructive to nature. Yes it is destructive but we are humans and we need minerals for the development of mankind. I’m not saying that mining is good. Not all mining companies does this. Most really destroys and gain profit from it. Oh, the evil that money makes them.

But I must say, after visiting this place? RTNC is very different. No doubt they won several awards because of their responsible mining. If only all mining companies are like them. If only they give back more than what they’ve got.

 

Besides housing and education, RTNC also offers free hospitalization, and free water and electricity.

 

What do you think? Share your thoughts below!