(The Philippine Star) | Updated August 26, 2016 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines -
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has allowed two
mining companies to use activated biochar, a soil amendment technology, to
develop agro-forestry in their host communities.
The DENR has granted
authority to Marcventures Mining and Development Corp. in Surigao del Sur, and
Benguet Corp. Nickel Mines Inc. in Zambales to convert agricultural waste into
a soil enhancer that can hold carbon, boost food security, increase soil
biodiversity and discourage deforestation.
This is in line with
the new policy direction of the department to provide sustainable livelihood
programs for host communities of mining operations, especially on the
rehabilitation of mined-out areas for other beneficial land uses during and
after mine life.
“The project is not
only to comply with the requirements of final mine rehabilitation but is
complementary to the company’s initiatives of providing sustainable, organic
and environmentally enhancing livelihood activities,” Marcventures vice
chairman Isidro Alcantara said.
According to the
International Biochar Initiative biochar is found in soils as a result of
vegetation fires and historic soil management practices and is an important
tool to increase food security and cropland diversity in areas with severely
depleted soils, scarce organic resources, and inadequate water and chemical
fertilizer supplies.
It also improves water
quality and quantity by increasing soil retention of nutrients and
agrochemicals for plant and crop utilization. The carbon present resists
degradation and can hold carbon in soils for hundreds to thousands of years.
The Philippine Biochar
Association (PBiA) said extensive use of biochar has proven effective in soil
enhancement and environmental protection and maintenance.
The plan is to use
biochar and convert mined-out lands into arable lands which can be planted to
renewable cash crops which will eventually provide livelihood to the
communities.
Based on the
agreements, both companies will put up 50-hectare pilot farms to be started
immediately in both provinces where there are plenty of organic materials like
rice husk which is a key input to biochar.
PBiA estimated that
each 50-hectare plot would generate about P8 million in revenues for the
communities and would result in renewable and continued income-generating cash
crops and species of trees.
The DENR emphasized
there is a need for mine rehabilitation programs to have a continuing
livelihood component and that mining companies should not wait for the end of
mine life, but undertake such activities even during the mine life.
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