OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc., a subsidiary of Melbourne-headquartered OceanaGold Corporation, has allocated P768.43 million under its final mine rehabilitation and decommissioning plan (FMRDP) for the Didipio gold and copper mine, located in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, in preparation for the mine's planned closure in 2037.

The FMRDP fulfills a regulatory requirement under the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, which mandates that all large-scale mining operators maintain a mine rehabilitation trust fund to cover environmental restoration and post-mining liabilities.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the company reported that P551.4 million had already been deposited into the mine rehabilitation trust fund as of 2026. The fund is expected to continue growing in accordance with the required annual provisioning schedule for as long as the mine remains operational.

The Didipio Mine operates across approximately 340 hectares (ha) within a 975-ha approved mining permit area. The operation resumed in 2021 following the renewal of its Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) after a two-year lapse. Of the mine's operating footprint, 100 ha have been designated for progressive rehabilitation during active operations. More than 55 ha had already been rehabilitated by the end of 2025, with the remaining areas slated for phased rehabilitation over the life of the mine.

Following the planned closure, roughly 221 ha are expected to undergo final rehabilitation. A further 58 ha — encompassing the open pit and selected mine camp facilities — have been identified for potential post-mining community uses rather than conventional revegetation. Proposed post-mining land uses include agriculture, forestry, a freshwater lake, and an enterprise tourism development area.

OceanaGold said these proposals were developed through consultations with host communities and remain subject to technical assessments to ensure their safety, suitability, and sustainability.

The company noted that the FMRDP is reviewed and updated every two years to account for rehabilitation progress, mine plan revisions, new technical data, stakeholder feedback, and government requirements. The next scheduled review is set for the third quarter of 2026.

Joan D. Adaci-Cattiling, president and general manager for external affairs and social performance at OceanaGold, said the company continues to rehabilitate operating areas while steadily building the rehabilitation fund.

"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 said.

— Marron Joshua F. Mendoza