OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. (OGPI) has opened an isolation facility for patients infected with Covid-19 at its host community in Didipio here. The facility is also open for patients from its neighboring villages. Inaugurated last June 15, the Didipio Family Health Center (DFHC) can accommodate up to 15 people with separate room allocations for confirmed cases, suspected cases, and close contacts individuals. The facility is complete with medicine for patients with respiratory problems. It is also equipped with oxygen and rapid antigen test kits. OGPI will also allocate one of its company nurses to take special regular duty at DFHC. Following the inauguration of the facility, the four barangay health workers of Barangay Didipio have already transferred to the newly refurbished DFHC facility. The initiative came following the surge of Covid-19 cases in Didipio and neighboring barangays soaring up to 147 cases since March. In his remarks during the facility inauguration, Mayor Romeo Tayaban emphasized the importance of an established isolation structure while noting the continuous rising of cases in the region. “Let’s make this DFHC useful for the next generation,” he said. The mining company allocated around P1.6 million for the procurement of equipment, medical supplies, and the much-needed repairs of the health facility. DFHC will be operated by the barangay LGU with the supervision of the municipal health office here. Village acting chair Henry Guay, in coordination with MHO and OGPI, is now working on the accreditation of the facility by DOH so that PhilHealth members could avail of their benefits when confined to the facility. Dr. Elizabeth Joaquin, municipal health officer of Kasibu, looks forward to the development of DFHC as a hospital in the future so it can cater more patients even from other areas of Kasibu. Engr. Edgar Rivera, officer-in-charge of OGPI, emphasized the importance of mutual cooperation amon the LGUs, community, and private sector in overcoming the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. “As long as OGPI is here, we continue to work with our stakeholders to provide necessary support in the achievement of their goals,” he said. The Covid-19 infections continue to create havoc as more areas outside the National Capital Region become areas of concern. Cagayan Valley was placed under the more restrictive MECQ until the end of the month.

OceanaGold Corporation today advises that the Philippine Government has renewed the Didipio Mine Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (“FTAA”) for an additional 25-year period, beginning June 19, 2019. The renewed FTAA reflects similar financial terms and conditions while providing additional benefits to the regional communities and provinces that host the operation. Michael Holmes, President and CEO of OceanaGold said, “we are pleased to confirm the renewal of the Didipio Mine’s FTAA and thank the Philippine Government for their endorsement and renewal. We have worked through the renewal process in partnership with the Government and regulatory agencies. We look forward to commencing restart activities and continuing to work in partnership with our regulators, communities, employees, and all stakeholders to contribute to the Philippines’ post-COVID-19 economic recovery.” The Company has maintained the mine and associated facilities in a state of operational stand-by. The Company’s first operational priority is the rehiring and training of its Philippine workforce, which will include a focus on safeguarding workers from the current risks associated with COVID-19. The Company expects to provide additional details on the restart and resumption of normal operations at Didipio, including the timeline and an update to Company’s 2021 guidance, in due course. The Company plans a staged restart of operations with milling to recommence as soon as possible utilising stockpiled ore of which the operation has approximately 19 million tonnes available. The Company aims to achieve full underground production capacity within twelve months. Once fully ramped-up, the Company expects Didipio to produce approximately 10,000 gold ounces and 1,000 tonnes of copper per month at first quartile All-in Sustaining Costs. Didipio is a major direct and indirect employer in the provinces of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya and a significant contributor of socio-economic benefits for the local and national economies. The Didipio Gold and Copper Mine operates to the highest environmental and social standards and has been recognised as one of the most responsible in the country. Renewal Terms The FTAA was renewed on substantially the same terms and conditions and includes the following modifications: The equivalent of an additional 1.5% of gross revenue to be allocated to community development Reclassification of Net Smelter Return to be an allowable deduction and shared 60% / 40% rather than wholly included in government share Listing of at least 10% of the common shares in OceanaGold Philippines Inc. (“OGPI”), the Company’s Philippine operating subsidiary and holder of the FTAA, on the Philippine Stock Exchange within the next three years OGPI shall offer for purchase by the Philippine Central Bank not less than 25% of its annual gold doré production at fair market price and mutually agreed upon terms Transfer of OGPI’s principal office to a host province within the next two years The additional 1.5% allocated to community development will take the form of increased contributions to communities in the region and provincial development projects. While the existing fund for Social Development and Management Program will continue to be provided for the host and neighbouring communities, 1.0% of the additional 1.5% will be allocated to community development for additional communities and 0.5% to the host Provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino. 

(Photo courtesy of Mr Jason Magdaong, OceanaGold Phils. Inc. - “Didipio Mine: The Renewal of the Philippines’ First FTAA”)   According to OceanaGold Corporation (Melbourne), the Philippines Court of Appeals in Manila had set last 18 September 2019 as the hearing date for the company's application for a Writ of Preliminary Injunction. This is part of the company's appeal against the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Court ruling of denying OceanaGold Phils. Inc.’s (OGPI) request to end the unlawful restraint of operations.   The Provincial Local Government Units of Nueva Vizcaya (PLGU) has been impeding access to the mine site since 1 July 2019. This is in response to an unlawful directive from the Governor to 'restrain any operations of the company. OGPI points out that the regulatory authority over the Didipio Mine rests with the National Government. They also clarified that the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160) does not grant the power of authority to the Provincial Governor or any local government officer to restrain any aspect of the Didipio operation. [1] OGPI continues to work with the National Government to finalise the renewal of their Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) and remains open to the opportunity to engage with the Provincial government and work together in the best interest of the local stakeholders. The Company remains strongly committed to operating in accordance with the law and will always comply with its responsibility under its contract with the Philippine Government. [1] Mr Mick Wilkes, President and CEO of OceanaGold said, "The Company has successfully developed and operated the Didipio Mine in the Philippines with a focus on delivering socio-economic benefits to local communities utilising international best practices and gaining a strong social license to operate. OceanaGold has established sound and collaborative relationships with regulatory authorities and stakeholders based on mutual respect." "While this process is taking some time, we will always operate in line with our values and commitment to responsible mining, and this means working transparently with the Philippine regulatory authorities to maximise the speed of the renewal. We are encouraged by the engagement with the government to date as we continue to work towards a mutually-acceptable path forward on the FTAA renewal." "I would like to recognise our world-class Philippine workforce of 1,500 workers who have remained focused on safety and preserving optionality at site during this uncertain time. We are proud to have positively contributed to the Barangay of Didipio, Province of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino and neighbouring communities since 2012." [1]   The Didipio Mine of OceanaGold Phils. is an underground gold and copper mine located across the provinces of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya. The mine operation has received numerous awards such as two Presidential Awards for being the most environmentally and socially responsible mining operations in the Philippines. Overseas, the company was awarded the 1st ASEAN Mineral Award for best practices in sustainable development. OceanaGold's Didipio mine site (Philippines) is considered one of the safest gold mining operations in the world because for the past two years, the company has deployed state-of-the-art automated and digital underground mining technology. For the past years, OGPI’s Didipio project has been providing significant socio-economic assistance to the province of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino. Other than providing jobs to 1,500 workers (97% are Filipinos, 59% are from local communities) the company also provides several thousands of additional livelihood opportunities and indirect jobs through partnerships with cooperatives and social development organisations. As an international company, OceanaGold Corporation is a mid-tier, high-margin, multinational gold producer with assets located in the Philippines, New Zealand and the United States. The Company's assets encompass the Didipio Gold-Copper Mine located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. In New Zealand, OceanaGold Corporation operates the high-grade Waihi Gold Mine, the Frasers mine, and the largest gold mine in the country at the Macraes Goldfield. [1] In the United States, the Company operates the Haile Gold Mine in South Carolina. The Haile Gold Mine is a top-tier, long-life, high-margin asset. OceanaGold Corporation also has a significant pipeline of organic growth and exploration opportunities in the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions. From their media release, the Company states, “OceanaGold has operated sustainably since 1990 with a proven track-record for environmental management and community and social engagement. The Company has a strong social license to operate and works with its valued stakeholders to identify and invest in social programs that are designed to build capacity and not dependency.” [1] “In 2019, the Company expects to produce between 500,000 to 550,000 ounces of gold and 14,000 to 15,000 tonnes of copper at All-In Sustaining Costs ranging between $850 and $900 per ounce sold.” [1] #DidipioMine #OceanaGoldPH #ResponsibleMining #Philippines Reference: [1] OceanaGold Corporation Media Release - 13 Sept. 2019, retrieved from - https://www.oceanagold.com/investor-centre/news-releases/ Photos: Courtesy of OceanaGold (Phils.) Inc. - Retrieved from  - https://www.oceanagold.com/downloads/images/