PHILEX MINING Corp. has so far planted more than 48,000 different tree species and flowering plants in over half of the targeted number of hectares of land in this town and Itogon, the two municipalities hosting its gold-and-copper operations in this province, for this year’s reforestation program.

Leon Mocate, senior forestry coordinator at the Environmental Quality Monitoring and Enhancement Dept. (EQMED) of the company’s Padcal mine, in Tuba Sitio Padcal, Brgy. Camp 3, said the new tree-planting projects will see massive implementation this month, after which the program is seen to focus on the maintenance of previously reforested areas. 

He said personnel of Padcal mine’s different departments kicked off the planting of trees and tropical plants, a project worth P910,281 that has been reinforced through the company’s engagement of 10 contractors, each with a team of at least 5 people. With a survival rate of 90 percent , this year’s reforestation program, which aims to reforest 50 hectares (has.) of land with 83,350 trees, involves the planting of forest trees Benguet pine, kupang, narra, ipil-ipil, and antsoan dilau; guava, a fruit-tree; and the tropical flowering plants bougainvillea, calliandra, and coffee.

“We are committed to continue marching on with our reforestation program every year, which we have adhered to over the past more than six decades of conscientious and responsible mining,” the company’s CEO and president, Eulalio Austin Jr., said.

Already, Philex Mining has reforested close to 3,000 has. of land in Tuba and Itogon with over 8 million trees planted