Listed OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. (OGP) has allocated P768.43 million for the rehabilitation and eventual closure of its Didipio gold-copper mine, with P551.4 million already deposited in its rehabilitation trust fund as it advances closure preparations years before the mine's end of operations.
The company said the fund, established under its Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plan (FMRDP), will continue to grow through annual provisions while the mine remains operational.
"Responsible mining means planning for rehabilitation throughout the life of the mine and closure long before operations eventually conclude," OGP President and General Manager for External Affairs and Social Performance Joan D. Adaci-Cattiling said.
"By progressively rehabilitating our operating areas and steadily building the rehabilitation fund while operations continue, we are ensuring the resources, systems and plans are in place to support a safe, responsible and sustainable transition beyond mining," she added.
The Didipio mine has an approved mining permit area of 975 hectares, although only about 340 hectares are currently used for operations.
The company said 100 hectares have been identified for progressive rehabilitation during the mine's operating life. More than 55 hectares had already been rehabilitated as of the end of 2025, with the remaining areas to be restored in phases.
At the end of mining operations, about 221 hectares are expected to undergo final rehabilitation, while 58 hectares — including the open pit and selected camp facilities — have been identified for potential post-mining community use instead of conventional revegetation.
According to OGP, previous consultations with host communities identified agriculture, forestry, a freshwater lake and an enterprise tourism development area as possible future uses of the site. The company said these proposals will undergo further technical assessments to ensure they are safe, suitable and sustainable.
The FMRDP is reviewed every two years to reflect rehabilitation progress, changes in the mine plan, new technical information, stakeholder feedback and government requirements. The next review is scheduled for the third quarter of 2026.
"We have been part of the Didipio community for 20 years, building enduring partnerships founded on mutual respect and shared progress," Adaci-Cattiling said.
"As our operations continue in the years to come, we are already investing in rehabilitation and closure planning to help ensure positive and sustainable outcomes for the environment and our host communities well into the future," she added.
OceanaGold (Philippines), listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange under the ticker OGP, operates the Didipio gold-copper mine in Luzon under a Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement.
