Hallmark’s Continuing Community Development Program

If social media was solely to be believed, one would think that mines and mining activities have no benefits to surrounding and host communities. Mining and mining operations – such as the nickel mining process – has great economic benefit to local and national governments. The incomes derived from the international trade of metal ore is a major national revenue stream, while mining local permits, employment, and support systems become major economic boosts for host and surrounding communities. While it is true that mining does have an impact on the environment and its communities, it is a vital aspect of nickel mining that both the environment and the local populations are cared for and supported throughout the lifespan of the mine and mining operations.

Building Communities for Sustainable Nickel Mining

Community development initiatives are part and parcel of what Hallmark Mining does as a nickel mining company in the Philippines. As nickel demands increase throughout the world, so too will the work in nickel mining; without proper support for host and surrounding communities, there is no nickel sustainability. It is a little-known fact that the Speculative Value of mining projects are either enhanced or significantly depleted because due to the inadequate attention given by the mining company in maintaining and nourishing the economic, human, and social capitals of the host communities as part of the nickel mining process.

Engagement and development initiatives are in line with the commitment of the company under the Social Development and Management Plan (SDMP), Memoranda of Agreement with Indigenous Peoples (IP MOA) Compliance and, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which aim to maintain and enhance the Social License to Operate (SLO). Underlying the fact that sustainable nickel mining is a difficult and ongoing process, many mining projects around the world and in the country are hampered by the companies’ inability to maintain its SLO. Nickel mining company Hallmark Development is deeply committed to its host and surrounding communities and jealously guards the viability of its Social License to Operate.

Over the past two decades of its exploration and operation, nickel mining company Hallmark Development Corporation’s Social License to Operate (SLO) remains confidently high with only 7%-8% social disapproval rating. The approval rating is determined through recent Psychographic Profiling in the Macambol and Cabuaya areas, an indication that despite the company’s limitations, significant number of households are still supportive to the mining project.

Social License is a concept that originated in the mining sector. Social Licenses to Operate are calculated along four key metrics and each of these metrics look at how the nickel mining company affect not just the economic facet of a community, but more importantly, its human and social fabric, taking into consideration not just how much a community benefits, but more importantly, how the community feels about the presense of the company.

For Hallmark Mining, Community Development is a key component of the nickel mining process. Among its most recent community efforts include:

STRENGTHENING WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION

Women empowerment is essential to the well-being and holistic development of not just the women but, by extension, their families and ultimately their whole communities. When women are involved in all facets of community-life it helps create a vibrant and  healthy community. Nurturing and advancing women’s participation is the core to building a shared prosperity in the community. As strange as it may sound, healthy, happy, empowered women and families is a key component of sustainable nickel mining.

FARMERS’ PRODUCTIVITY & GOAT DISPERSAL

One method of increasing and enhancing productivity among the farmers in the nickel mining host communities is through the dispersal of animals and planting materials. This is one of the key livelihood projects that is being implemented by nickel mining company Hallmark Mining Corporation. This project is coupled with seminars and trainings to improve the knowledge, attitude, skills and practices of the farmers on animal care and crop production; this training adds the sustainability factor in the effort as farmers learn how to maximize and profit from the initial materials provided to them.

Recently, the company dispersed several heads of does and a buck to a first batch of farmers after the necessary community preparation completed. Backyard goat raising has been proven to increase the income and productivity of these farmers, and the company took the opportunity to be of assistance to them. Aside from meat and milk provided by the goats, its manure is also able to ameliorate the soil to increase crop yields.

It is projects like these, initiated as part of the nickel mining process, that integrate the operation with the communities in which it exists. While the relationship is not without its challenges, it is the dedicated maintenance of the tight relationship between host community and nickel mining company that help ensure sustainable nickel mining. Because as nickel demands increase, so will the company’s investment increase in its people and its community.

Source: phillipsgroup.com