OceanaGold unit diverts waste to cement production

MANILA, Philippines – OceanaGold Philippines Inc. (OGP) has partnered with the waste management business of the Holcim Group to significantly reduce the landfill disposal of its Didipio gold-copper mine in Nueva Vizcaya.

OGP entered into a two-year memorandum of agreement with Geocycle Philippines to undertake a cement kiln waste coprocessing initiative that will divert up to 70 percent of the mine’s residual waste from its own sanitary landfill.

READ: OceanaGold Q1 profit soars 370% on record gold prices

Article continues after this advertisement

Geocycle Philippines will haul residual waste from the Didipio mine to its coprocessing facility in Norzagaray, Bulacan, while OGP will shoulder the hauling cost.

FEATURED STORIES

BUSINESS

BUSINESS

BUSINESS

Through this facility, qualified waste materials, including paper, plastics, textiles, and packaging materials will be recovered and used as an alternative fuel and raw material in cement manufacturing.

“The process reduces reliance on landfill disposal while supporting resource recovery and circular economy practices,” OGP said.

OGP said the two-year initiative is expected to extend the operational life of Didipio Mine’s existing sanitary landfill facility to approximately 10.8 years from only 1.8 years.

The firm also expects to save up to $156,000 or P6.16 million since it may no longer need to build a separate landfill facility.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Our existing landfill facility is nearing capacity and could be full within the next year. Rather than expanding our landfill footprint, we have chosen a more sustainable and forward-looking solution,” OGP asset president James Isles said.

Isles said the partnership provides the company with a pragmatic solution since it requires no capital investment and will minimize the impact on operating costs, while delivering environmental benefits.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Through our co-processing technology, OGP reduces dependence on landfills while helping preserve natural resources and contributing to a more sustainable future for communities and industries alike,” Geocycle Philippines commercial head Riyann Moster said.

The partnership forms part of the mining company’s Zero Waste to Landfill goal aimed at reducing landfill dependence and enhancing sustainable waste management across its operations.

In 2023, OGP started turning its biodegradable waste into compost and introduced plastic densification technology to recycle plastic waste streams into reusable products.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

OGP operates the Didipio mine in the town of Kasibu, covered by a financial or technical assistance agreement with the Philippine government. —Jordeene B. Lagare