Our Stories
National Recognition for Masbate’s Reforestation Work
February 21, 2024
In this three-part series, we take a closer look at the reclamation and reforestation work taking place at B2Gold’s Masbate Gold Project, in the Philippines. In this third article, we share the recognition the Masbate Gold Project has received for its contribution toward a national reforestation program to rehabilitate mined-out areas.
B2Gold’s Masbate Gold Project has been recognized by the Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau as a mining company with one of the highest contributions to the National Greening Program (NGP) for the mining sector.
Filiminera Resources Corporation, operator of the Masbate Gold Project, was identified as the second highest company performer, planting a total of 3,122,897 trees over 2,629.79 hectares, and maintaining a survival rate of 89.93 percent.
Re-establishing mining forests
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau monitors the accomplishments of mining organizations and companies for their implementation of its Mining Forest Program (MFP) and National Greening Program (NGP) as part of the annual Best Mining Forest contest.
In 1989, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources launched the “Adopt-a-Tree” and Adopt–a–Mining Forest Movement”, calling for the re-establishment of mining forests within specified areas by qualified applicants. Now known as the Mining Forest Program, the mining sector contributes to the NGP through the MFP with the progressive rehabilitation of mined-out areas.
Initially, the target was to establish 34,000 hectares of reforestation areas outside and within mining contract or permit areas within three years or from 2011-2013 and to provide an orderly and clear plan in implementing the NGP for the mines sector. Companies are mandated to implement programs, such as the establishment of reforestation areas through the planting of seedlings, including their maintenance and protection, or the donation of seedlings to other participants of the NGP. Moreover, it also aims to increase and protect the value of vegetation and biological diversity, promote community participation in reforestation activities, and intensify information, education, and communication on reforestation activities and contribute to climate change mitigation.
As of December 2023, the combined MFP and NGP for the mines sector accomplished a reforestation of 44,534.65 hectares, with a total of 61,607,504 trees planted. Of these, 55,269,957 trees survived, or an average survival rate of 90.51 percent.
Learn more about B2Gold’s sustainability initiatives in our most recent Responsible Mining Report.
