TMC recruits environment warriors with free diving
NICKEL Asia Corp. (NAC) subsidiary Taganito Mining Corp. (TMC) has launched DiScuba, a program that aims to get more people in the mining community of Claver and adjacent towns in Surigao del Norte to experience and appreciate diving.
Considered a sport for the elite due to the cost of a single dive, TMC’s objective for introducing the sport is to invite more people to become protectors of the environment especially of the marine resources around the mine site.
Marine biologist and TMC Coastal Resource Management Specialist Agapito Cuadra Jr. said that part of his job is to research on the characteristics of marine landscapes and help design programs for environment enhancement and protection.
“I have seen many dive spots, in and out of protected areas, near and far from mine sites, and the learnings are the same, that if we do not introduce structured protection programs, these dive spots will be endangered,” he said.
He added that seeing is believing, thus DiScuba, a portmanteau of Discover and Scuba, was launched to bring more people to see the underwater beauty around the mine site. Resident Mine Manager Artemio Valeroso expressed pride and excitement as well.
“Our challenge has always been to make more people appreciate what we do as a responsible mining company and what it means that as miners we are also environment protectors and we are environment warriors,” he exclaimed. Cuadra explained why TMC is proud of the Malingin islet dive spot.
“The beauty of the natural corals around the dive spot in Malingin, right in front of the mine site, is proof that responsible mining and the sport of diving can co-exist,” Cuadra declared. The TMC mine site is within the Surigao Mineral Reservation.
Source: TheManila Times
No comments: