The Pantukan Gold and Copper Project (PGCP) (in partnership with NADECOR and St. Augustine Gold and Copper Ltd.) has established a Community Guide System to assist the project with fieldwork and other studies in the Kingking mining area. The Community Guides, who are all residents of Pantukan, have been tapped to accompany all PGCP field workers during trips to the research area. The guides will also help the company communicate information about the project to people living in their barangays.
PGCP is currently studying the feasibility of mining the Kingking gold and copper deposit in the eastern portion of Compostela Valley province. This feasibility work includes environmental studies, community consultations, exploratory drillings and further detailed analysis.
“We prefer to rely on local knowledge to help our team access the areas needed for the work that they do in a manner that is acceptable to the people in the community,” said Clyde Gillespie, director of environmental permitting for PGCP.
He added that the project “respects the sensibilities of the locals and is grateful to the guides for their willingness and ability to help us better understand the people of Pantukan. We are really learning a lot from them.”
The Guides, some of whom are leaders of the indigenous tribes residing in the area, provide a valuable link between the project and the community, which has fostered a climate of cooperation and understanding among the stakeholders.
“Nalipay mi nga naa’y gihatag na higayon ang PGCP nga maka-trabaho mi didto sa ila. Dako usab ang natabang sa among panginabuhi kini nga programa (We are happy that the PGCP has provided us with this opportunity to work. This program is really a big help to our livelihood,” said Al Abubakar, one of the community guides.
