MONTHLY NEWSLETTERVol. 1 No. 2 July 2015

The

REPORTAPD, Security Team takes on human rights principles

OGPI hands over 21,000 seedlings to EMB Region 02

As part of its commitment to the National Greening Program (NGP), OceanaGold Philip-pines Inc. (OGPI) handed over 21,000 seedlings of various tree species to Regional Director Cesar Siador last June 17, 2015. These will be used in the establishment of reforestation and carbon sink program to mitigate green-house gas (GHG) emissions, a Climate-Change remediation initiative of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environ-ment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The young trees were reared at the OceanaGold’s Central Nursery in Barangay Tucod, about three kilometers north of Didipio Mine site. This nursery

is operated by OceanaGold Sustainable Agroforestry, Inc. (OGSAI), a subsidiary com-pany set up to operate and manage the delivery of all reforestation or regreening commitments and mandatory obligations of OGPI.

As an institution for sustainabil-ity, OGSAI agro-forestry pro-gram must lead to some kind of economic enterprise that would provide livelihood beyond the life of mine. The 100-hectare tree plantation established in Barangay Dibibi demonstrates OGSAI’s commitment to comply with regulatory require-ments and obligations under the NGP.

The Didipio environment team (Top) Seedlings carefully loaded in a truck bound to Tuguegarao City from the Central Nursery in Tucod; (Above) Regional Director Cesar Siador handing over the certifi cate of acceptance to Environment Manager Jason Magdaong of OGPI Didipio Operations. #

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In pursuant to its commitment to uphold human rights, rising Asia-Pacifi c miner Oceana-

Gold partnered with Philippine authorities in organizing a seminar to equip its security contractor with tools to under-stand better the basic principles of human rights. The activity was held on July 21-22, 2015 at the Didipio mine’s 550-man camp.

“OceanaGold is committed to respecting the human rights of all stakeholders associated with our business activities. We seek to respect human rights through an inclusive and cooperative approach with our stakeholders,

including employees, sharehold-ers, business partners, members of civil society, governments and communities,” reads a compa-ny policy signed by CEO Mick Wilkes.

The offi cer-in-charge of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Cagayan Valley region, Atty. Cecilia M. Lazaro, led a fi ve-member team to conduct an Information and Education Seminar among security person-nel tasked to guard the mine’s premises. The CHR offi cial was with another lawyer, Atty. Joel C. Agra, Information and Education Chief Lourdes P. Lopez, Infor-mation Offi cer Carlito A. Agustin and Administrative Aide Zenife M. Rabara.

Clockwise from top: (left) Atty. Cecilia Lazaro in her opening message to the participants, (right) Information & Education Chief Lourdes Lopez and (bottom) Information Offi cer Carlito Agustin delivering a lecture. # Patricio Cabauatan

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Kennedy Pajela joined the Underground team last Febuary 2015 as a Maintenance Crew member. He is an extremely hardworking man and contrib-uted to the portal construction and fi ring of the fi rst cut in the Pelobello Decline on the 07 March 2015. Kennedy continued quickly learning the mining cycle and successfully completed Ori-ca’s ‘Safe and Effi cient Blasting Course’ in April 2015. He then began his on the job training Development charging in the underground mine.

Kennedy is a fast learner and a

Page 2

UG Operator Training

WHAT’S UP IN THE UNDERGROUND TODAY?

safety-conscious worker. After three-months of training, he was deemed competent by the trainers, and when practically assessed, he passed! This was a huge milestone for both Kennedy and the UG Team as he was the fi rst of the Underground Operator

Ticket that the team earned.

Well done Kennedy! Training continues and there are many more men like Kennedy who are safely working hard in the underground mine and

learning the development mining cycle. Kennedy was the fi rst and there will be many more to come. The decline is now 230m advanced and the UG Team is recruiting for a third group of crew to be able to move on 24-hour operations. #

by James Allnut

Underground equipment and supplies procured from companies like CAT,

Sandvik, Atlas Copco, Normet, and Toyota for light vehicles and trucks are now in place. Some equipment were hired just to start the Pelobello decline, then new equipment ordered from suppliers arrived later. The latest piece of equipment is a Sandvik twin jumbo drill scheduled to arrive in mid-July 2015.

Underground Working Process

Working process at the develop-ment decline is a cycle. One cy-cle can consume 15 to 18 hours for normal operation of one crew. The current cycle with the hired equipment involves more small

machines including two separate jumbo drills. The new machines will allow the mining cycle to be reduced to 12 hours.

Refuge Chamber

The Refuge Chamber is a rug-

Photo of Normet Shotcrete Sprayer & the shotcrete mix to be transferred onto the underground agitator. #

ged, steel-constructed emer-gency chamber equipped with breathable air that is free of haz-ardous gases and smoke. Built with explosion resistant steel walls and reinforced doors, win-dows and hinges, the Safety Refuge Chamber can withstand up to 15 psi of overpressure. It provides a ‘safe-haven’ during an underground emergency. De-signed to provide a refuge for miners suddenly trapped in a hazardous or toxic environment. It coould provide eight (8) people with life support for over 26 hours, allowing ample time for the Emer-gency Response Team (ERT) to conduct a rescue operation.

On 09 July 2015, fi rst refuge chamber was commissioned and installed. It is located 165 metres fom portal.

Shotcrete Management

Shotcrete is concrete pumped through a hose and pneumatical-ly projected at high velocity onto a surface as a construction technique. It is reinforced by fi bers, and/or steel mesh. Fiber

reinforcement is also used for stabilization in applications such as slope stabilisation or tunnel-ing.

Shotcrete is placed and com-pacted at the same time, due to the force with which it leaves the nozzle. It can be sprayed onto any type or shape of surface, including the backs and walls of the tunnel. Shotcrete is the fi rst layer of ground support installed in the tunnel for the safety of personnel.

Sprayed after bogging (the term for cleaning up of blasted materials) to support the ground with a curing period of one to two hours after spraying. Qualifi ed engineers and quality assur-ance personnel will conduct a penetration test to assure that the applied shotcrete meets the standards. Shotcrete should have a minimum of 415 Newton penetration load or a compres-sive strength with a minimum of 0.7 Mpa after one hour.

Holcim is the contractor supply-

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The First Ticket!The First Ticket!

Refuge Chamber installed 165 meters away from the portal.#

transported 6,000 mahogany, 5,500 acacia mangium, 1,000 rain tree, 4,500 falcatta, 1,000 lipote and 3,000 guava to the regional offi ce of the EMB in Tuguegarao City.

“We would like to express our gratitude for turning over 21,000 tree seedlings of vari-ous species to this Offi ce. We will anticipate for more support and continued cooperation from your company in promot-ing the government’s program on National Greening and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation,” Regional Direc-tor Siador said in his letter to OGPI acknowledging the hand over. #BA

OGPI Hands over......>>>from page 1

Smoking Cessation Counselling Seminar. It was held in coordination with Kasibu MHO last 26 June 2015 as part of OGPI’s commitment to help in basic Health Information Education campaigns. Health and Safety Department facilitated the seminar and overview on smoke-cessation counselling among Didipio mine employees, contractors, barangay health workers and Purok leaders. This is in coordination with Municipal Health Offi ce headed by Dr. Elizabeth Joaquin, Municipal Health Offi cer of Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. The objective of the seminar is to give employees and health workers the right tools to promote healthy lifestyle especially for those people who would want to quit smoking. Programs will be soon implemented at the OGPI mine site. Everyone’s participation is encouraged for the campaign to succeed in establishing a Smoke Free Workplace. # Fitz Chilagan, with reports from OHS Department

Page 3

Some of the guards asked “Where is the borderline be-tween performing our duty to defend life and property and respecting the rights of people we engage in confrontational situations?” CHR explained what it means when jurisprudence says “an offi cer must stand on his ground”. They also explained what constitutes a “fl agrant act” – where the law provides that a private person may be allowed to arrest a suspect caught com-mitting a criminal act.

The two CHR lawyers focused their discussion on several rules applied in such situations where engagement is inevitable. They emphasized the basic doctrine requiring a person-in-authority to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with actual and potential civil disturbances.

The rights agency rolled-out key details of the “Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Chil-dren Act”.

OceanaGold Philippines Inc., which operates the Didipio Mine, has vowed to adhere to its

APD, Security....>>>from page 1

corporate Human Rights Policy at all times. A Community and Human Rights Compliance Stan-dards Manual was approved to achieve this purpose. #BA

Three years after the birth of OceanaGold (Phils.) Inc.’s special scholarship

program for mining related courses, the company has produced its fi rst graduate in the person of Kiara Chattie Alcayna Bulayo, a promising youth leader from Barangay Dibibi, Cabarroguis in the Province of Quirino.

Chattie, as she is fondly called by her friends and family, has earned Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from St. Louis University, in Baguio City during the commencement exercises last June 27, 2015.

Chattie, 21 and the second child of four siblings, proudly shares this milestone with her parents Martin Bulayo, a public servant and Irmina Bulayo, a public school teacher in Barangay Dibibi.

“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to OceanaGold for giving me this great opportunity to become one of the fi rst recipients of a Special Scholarship Program under the Development of Mining

Technology and Geosciences (DMTG) initiatives of Didipio Operations. As the fi rst graduate under this education program of OceanaGold, I am proud to share this milestone with the company and hoping that they are also proud of my accomplishment being the fi rst graduate of this program for future mining professionals,” Chattie said.

”OceanaGold never ceases to extend assistance to support education program in the Province by granting additional fi nancial assistance for the board examination review fee of my daughter Chattie, and I will be forever grateful to OceanaGold for that exemplary portrayal of genuine corporate social responsiveness,” the scholar’s father Mr. Martin Bulayo added.

Through the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) , OceanaGold (Phils.) Inc. continuously supports the Didipio mine’s host and adjacent communities with social investments to develop human capital through various education programs.

To date, OGPI maintains 25 scholars from Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino Provinces taking up Mining Engineering, Geology and Metallurgy in several prestigious universities of the country. This number includes the 10 additional scholars for S.Y. 2015-2016 which will comprise the future professionals to boost the workforce of the mining industry. #Ding Villamayor

First OGPI Mining Engineering scholar graduates

Page 4

Spot The Hazard Contest WinnersFirst Prize: Jose Rico GapacJose Rico GapacSecond Prize: Bony DumahinBony Dumahin

ing cement and other raw materi-als. OGPI provides for additives and supervision. Since Holcim mobile mixer is not qualifi ed to enter underground, the shotcrete mix is transferred to the under-ground agitator truck from portal to the underground.

Night Shift

Underground development is moving to 24-hour operations as the third crew is manned up. One crew is composed of 5-7 staff per shift. Working a nightshift allows more time for training under-ground operators on equipment.

Underground Blasting

Orica Philippines Inc. manufac-tures and supplies bulk emul-sion, initiating and packaged ex-plosives. Orica licensed Shotfi rer on site supervise underground explosives works.

Currently one fi ring or “cut” is 3.7-meters of advance on the decline. This will depend on the length of the jumbo drill rod. The goal is to cut one per shift. A big success for underground devel-opment happened last 11 July 2015, when the UG Team fi red safely two cuts.

Siren sound heard from camps and offi ces are even louder than the blast sound during the under-ground fi ring.

# Ruben Babbayong

TheREPORT

is a monthly newsletter published by the Didipio Operations of OceanaGold

(Philippines) Inc.

The Editorial Desk is managed by the Communications Department.

—Editor-in-Chief —Chito Gozar—Editors—

Atty. Joan Adaci-CattilingChris CapistranoJason Magdaong

Lucy ExcondeNeri Langres

—Contributors (this issue)—Chris CapistranoBuddy Palabrica

Ruben BabbayongDing VillamayorVol. 1 No. 2 July 2015

What’s up in the UG today...>>>from page 2

Support the ground: Spray shot Crete

Underground Mining Cycle

Support the ground: boring hole and bolting

Fire when fi nish

Clean up, Bogging

Allow dust to clear, Blast check,

Spray water

Load Explosive(charging)

Bore the face with the twin boom

Batch Shotcrete

Scaling

Page 5

Jason Magdaong has been with OceanaGold Didipio Operations since March 2014. He was hired as Environment Superinten-dent and during this period his exemplary performance has been recognized. Within three months he was then promoted as Environment Manager of the Environment Department.

Jason, a Mechanical Engineer by profession, has held various roles in environmental manage-ment in several companies in the Philippines and overseas.

Jason exudes competence in his area of expertise with strong leadership skills that has driven his team be a high performing asset in the organization. This can be attested by the signifi cant achievements that Jason and his team have accomplished togeth-er, raising the bar OceanaGold’s

Didipio Operations environmen-tal performance to be at par with international standards and best practices.

A number of signifi cant mile-stones are as follows:

1. Developed and implemented the Environmental Man-agement System (EMS) of Didipio Operations instru-mental to obtaining the ISO 14001 EMS certifi cation.

2. Diligently instituted several initiatives and programs including the successful implementation of environ-mental mitigating measures across the operations.

3. OceanaGold was recog-nized by local and interna-tional reputable organiza-tions. It has been a recipient of several major accolades including:

2015’s High AchieverJason Magdaong

• Best Environmental Ex-cellence Award (Bronze) in the 7th Annual Global CSR Summit and Awards in Indonesia. This was facilitated by the Sus-tainability Manager, Ms. Lucy Exconde, who also manages OGSAI.

• Recipient of Mother Na-ture Award and Success Story Award (1st run-ner-up) from the Pollution Control Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PCAPI)

• Presidential Mineral Indus-

try Environmental Award – Platinum Achievement Award from the Philippine Mineral Safety and Envi-ronment Association

• Plaque of Recognition from the Environmental Management Bureau Re-gion 2 for OceanaGold’s entry in the Philippine Environmental Partnership Program

To top it all, Jason was cited as one of the Top Most Outstand-ing Pollution Control Offi cer of the Philippines during the 35th PCAPI National Annual Conven-tion and General Assembly last April 2015.

All of the above-mentioned accomplishments made Oceana-Gold an industry leader in the arena of environmental steward-ship.

The responsibility to ensure sound environmental man-agement and practices are manifested by OceanaGold’s comprehensive programs being implemented since its inception in 2012.

All these amplify the strong commitment and integrity of OceanaGold’s operations to all of its stakeholders. #

by Nericel Langres

1st PlaceFitz ChilaganCommunications

Department

2nd PlaceSheila Acut

Environment Department

3rd PlaceEric Paolo de la Vega

Process Department

PAALAM MULIPAALAM MULIby Sinagtala

Kung pagsuyo mo’y lalayo,Mundo ko’y guguho!

Hawakan mong maigiDito lang ako lagi.

Wagas na pagmamahalMusmos palang ng mabuoSinubukang maging tayoNauwi lang ba sa biro?

Nagkahiwalay ng matagalDahil sa hamon ng buhayMuling tayong pinagtagpo

At duon lang umusbong, tumubo

Sa piniling kasama magkatulad na bigo

Kalahati ng buhay ko’y napari-wara naglaho

Sa maikling panahon ikaw ay kasuyo

Ligayang wagas tumimo sa puso.

Pero ang kahapon muli’y bumalikSa isang iglap di na ko inimik

Nagsisising di man lang nakapag-usap

Nang di nakadalo sa lamay ng ina mong pumamaw

Paalam na o’ sandali lang muli?Huling hati ng buhay ko sa yo

itataliMagbabakasakali di

mangingimiHuling sugal wag sana

masawi

Page 6

OGPI launched the second Health and Safety Week last June 15-19 with the theme “Mak-ing Health and Safety a Habit”. Its goal is to foster improvement in health and safety in our work-places. In line with the theme, OGPI Health and Safety Depart-ment have launched different activities where employees are to demonstrate awareness and understanding in regards with safety and health.

Health and safety week activities are the following:

• LAUNCHING OF THE “BIGGEST WEIGHT LOS-ER’’ CONTEST and Fitness program. A 12 week fi tness competition which goal is not only to lose goal weight but to provide a forum for people to kick start their healthy food and exercise. 51 contestants are battling to attain their weight goal and had started on healthy lifestyle.

• OGPI HEALTH AND SAFETY QUIZ happened last June 20, 2015 at Training Room 2- a quiz that squeezes every compet-itor’s brain about Safety and Health ideas that they gained from their trainings; it was par-ticipated by 13 personnel from different Departments. Here are the breakdown: 1 person-nel from Process Operations, 2 from Mining Underground Department, 1 from Communi-cations, 4 from Environment, 1 from Site Services and 4 from Exploration

• 2015 OGPI BEST GROUP HEALTH AND SAFETY PHO-TO- a group photo portraying our theme of making Health & Safety a Habit. 13 entries were submitted from different OGPI departments and major Con-tractors. Out of 13 entries, photo from the Underground team was chosen to be the Best group Photo. # OHS Dept

To improve productivity and motivation of the OceanaGold Philippines

Commercial Department workforce, a team-building activity themed, “One Team, One Dream” was conducted last June 20-21, 2015 at PLT Wellness and Mountain Resort, Bascaran, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.

The general objective is to acknowledge team member’s strengths and weaknesses, develop more positive work attitude, demonstrate the core values of the company, and appreciate the value of work.

The team-building event was also attended by the Commer-cial Manager Russell Graham and personnel from the supply, IT and accounting offi ces.

Senior Supervisor Perfecto “Tang Pips” Hidalgo of the

Competency Through Learning Program served as facilitator.

Out of the activity, the com-mercial team gained improved leadership skills, creativity, de-fi ned goals and objectives, and better problem solving skills.

Taking employees out of the offi ce once in a while helps break down personal barriers and eliminate distractions, and most specially, allows them to enjoy and have fun.

# Buddy Palabrica

Commercial DepartmentTeambuildingTeambuilding 20152015

OGPI Health & Safety QUIZ

Result:

“One Team, One Dream”

Tagalog Poetry

Page 7

Last March 2015, the Asset Pro-tection Department in partnership with the Didipio Barangay Council

has launched its out-of-school youth program for the community of Baran-gay Didipio. It was dubbed Project DABARaKADS, which stands for “Daluy-ong ng mga Batang Aktibo, Kaakibat sa Asenso ng Didipio”.

The project aims to help reduce cases of juvenile delinquency in the community through informal learning, values formation, health education, and improved participation in the commu-nity. Dabarkads also hopes to widen opportunities for the youth and promote camaraderie among the young segment of the community.

Under the leadership of APD Manager Edgar Rivera, the project was designed as one of the major steps in the transformation of the company security force towards the reduction of unlawful activities among the youth.

Dabarkads seeks to eliminate mis-conception about the security force and attempts to establish trust and confi dence between the company and the community.

Project Dabarkads is a continuous program wherein the local youth will have the opportunity to explore their potentials in Art, Music, Sports, and other fi elds. To give them the opportu-nity to be heard, Dabarkads harnesses their ideas, opinions, experiences and actions in a program that develops core life skills, with the end result of training them to excel in their future pursuits.

The project’s outcome will also benefi t the community in addressing environ-

Feature Story

mental and safety concerns through gardening, tree planting activities and production of trash bins.

The Junior ERT training on emergency response is a trailblazing success. Basic emergency training modules for the youth has been tested effective. These young people were instantly turned into a reserve force of emergency respond-ers.

Other outcomes seen includes the cre-ation of a circle of artist and musicians. This group shall venture into the estab-lishment of a souvenir center where they can showcase and market their creative artifacts.

The Filipino colloquial word “Dabarkads” is a derivative of the word “Barkada” which mean “Peers”.

# Andro Castro, APD

“I am very thankful to GM David Way for entrusting

me this noble undertaking of transforming the Didipio youth to be more productive members of the community.

I can feel that these young people will outshine the

glitters of gold from the mine, become the community’s

source of pride, and truly transform as the true jewels

of Didipio:” - Edgar Rivera

Vol 1. No. 2 July 2015

Jumbo drills are used in underground mining to execute a method called

“drill and blast”. It is also used in tunnel construction, if rock hardness prevents use of tunnel boring machines.

A drilling jumbo usually consist of up to three rock drill carriages or platforms that miners use to stand on while loading the holes with explosives. The carriages are bolted onto the chassis, which supports also the miners cabin and the jumbo’s engine.

Modern drilling jumbos are relatively large. There are

smaller ones designed for use in cramped conditions. Modern jumbos are usually fi tted with rubber tires but there are also variants with steel wheels to ride on rails. There are even single carriaged, sled-mounted variants.

Jumbos are either diesel-powered or electricity-powered. Old jumbos were powered by compressed air. Electricity and compressed air do not produce exhaust gases which is preferable if work is done in confi ned spaces like small tunnels where good ventilation is scarce. #fromWikiResearch

The Living Word

“For I know the plans I have for you,”

declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

- Jeremiah 29:11

A Daily Underground Safety Procedure

• Monitoring is being conducted to determine if the levels of noxious gases are within the safe limits and to sense if the working area is safe prior to commencement of any work.

• Temperature readings are collected to determine the Thermal Work Limit which enables us to prevent the occurrence of heat-related illnesses at work due to inadequate ventilation.

(Above) The graduates of the “Leader as Coach” training held in Baguio City. Those who attended were top OceanaGold management and some Didipio Operations managers. (L-R) Edgar Rivera of APD, Albert Ladion of the IMS Program, seated is Chris Capistrano of ERD, Jason Magdaong of Environment Dept., Atty Joan Adaci-Cattiling of Legal, Training Consultant Peter Bowring, GM David Way, partly hidden is Darren Lee of Site Services, Country Director Bradley Norman, Craig Fawcett of Mining, Chief Operating Offi cer Michael Holmes, and Human Resources Head Yuwen Ma. #

Managers and 2IC’s also attended the “Leader as Coach” Training Batch 2 held at the Didipio mine site. (Ladies seated L-R) Nericel Langres of Communications, Annabel Punzalan of Safety, Lucy Exconde of Sustainability, Josie Mallari of Finance, Imma Kaaamino and Vanessa Aliaga of HV. (Gentlemen standing from L-R) GM David Way, Boyet Bautista of Exploration, Ed Balangue of Mining, Chris Kinver of Underground, Mike McGrory of Processing & Peter Bowring of Point Ahead, the training services provider.#

What’s a Jumbo Drill?

#KnowingYourUGToolsWell

VENTILATION MONITORING:

More than filling out reports and ticking boxes, SAFETY is all about knowing the BIG REASON WHY we have to be safe and healthy while at work. #