By Feliece Yeban, TVIRD Vice President for Social Commitments

In keeping with the TVI Resource Development Philippines, Inc.’s (TVIRD) transparency policy, we are making available for our stakeholders the Social Development and Management Plan (SDMP) monitoring reports that the company submits to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB ). (Please see SDMP Semestral Report – January to June 2009 here).

The SDMP is a mining company’s overall social development plan to ensure that mining-affected communities benefit from resource development. It is equivalent to at least 1% of the company’s direct mining and milling cost. For our current Sulphide (copper-zinc) operation, the total SDMP cost is projected at P28 million pesos spread over five years from 2009-2013. This number is based on a preliminary estimates; the final requirement will be adjusted as our actual mining and milling costs are known. But our approach to Social Commitments and Sustainable Development is based on both community participation and assessment of needs. So, as with our previous Gossan Project SDMP, we will attempt to accomplish our defined programs and it is possible that we will actually spend more than the minimum requirement.

To ensure that TVIRD implements its SDMP, the Government requires the company to submit accomplishment reports on a quarterly and a per semester basis. The MGB’s SDMP team validate these reports in the field. The reports contain the specific projects carried out by the company and the performance of the company in terms of its SDMP financial obligations. The reports also serve as the company’s compass that helps determine if changes are necessary in the SDMP implementation strategies.