Arqam S.

Abdula
THPAL Nickel Corporation

THPAL Nickel Corporation is located in Brgy. Taganito, Claver, Surigao del Norte. It
produces mixed nickel-cobalt sulfides (MS) using HPAL technology and exports the raw
materials to the SMM Group's nickel refining facilities at Niihama Nickel Refinery and Harima
Refinery.
The importance of safety was emphasized accordingly when the group arrived in the
plant site. The students were warmly welcomed by the THPAL personnel. Snacks were
served in the conference room where the orientation was conducted.
In the orientation, it is highlighted that through HPAL or high-pressure acid leach, low
grade nickel ore, which is considered mine waste, is utilized to produce nickel/cobalt.
Through its process, a waste material like laterite has been given a value.
Also, CSR and environmental protection program within its company such is the
Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) were discussed. It reflects the social
commitment to the local communities that include barangays and indigenous cultural
communities of bringing free medical services, subsidized schooling and scholarships and
employment to the locals of Taganito. THPAL adds value to low grade ores, environment,
communities, Filipino skills and economy.
With the visit in the THPAL site, I’ve appreciated the company’s effort to uphold
responsible processing and sustainable development programs. Its presentation of the plant
operation, safety features, environment protections and activities and Community Relations
programs were admirable. With the three sites we visited, THPAL is the most clean company
and very welcoming next to Steel Asia in Davao. I would recommend the conduct of field trip
in THPAL so that students can get an overview to how a responsible mineral processing
company operates.
Arqam S. Abdula
Philsaga Mining Corporation

Philsaga Mining Corporation, is gold producing company. Upon arrival to the site,
checkpoints occurred before entering the site. We were neither greeted by any PMC
personnel nor I believed was expecting our arrival. Safety orientation was not conducted
though we were given PPEs and plant tour immediately followed. Engr. Fatima and Engr.
Sakara tried their best to explain PMC process operation in extracting gold. After which, we
headed to PMC junior staff house for our lunch. PMC plant tour ended accordingly.
Community development programs were not discussed and I think the tour was inadequate.
For this company I believed that they could strengthen human resource management. It is evident
that strong bonds are still not established between the workers and the management. It makes me
want to be employed in a company where HR staff are visible and works towards unity of the workers
and head managers alike. And Philsaga is the least site we visited. Compare to THPAL, the plant
is messy.

Still, I am grateful to PMC for accommodating our request and would recommend
conduct of field trip for the succeeding batch because the PMC plant is wide-ranging from
crushing, grinding to leaching operations.
Arqam S. Abdula

Steel Asia Manufacturing Corporation

Steel Asia Manufacturing Corporation is the last plant we visited located in the heart
of the biggest and safest city in the Philippines, Davao. It is the adaptive part of the plant tour.
Upon site arrival, we are greeted by an alumna, Engr. Rhea, from MSU-IIT and plant tour
followed consequently.
Davao Works boasts its steel mill as the largest and most modern in the Philippines.
It features the latest technologies for productivity and environmental impacts. The company
upholds it environment commitment such as adopt-a-creek. Also, rainwater and all
processed water collected are stored in a reservoir. The striving tilapia in the pond signifies
the quality of their recycled water. In addition, one focus of the company’s CSR initiative of
accepting plant tours and presentations is to expose students to the steel manufacturing
processes, technologies and relevance of the industry to society and I think this is necessary
due to emerging demands to profession inclined in this field.
During the plant tour, the tour guide explained the process operation adequately. I
appreciated the cleanliness and safety-conscious working environment. The orientation is
satisfactorily rendered by Engr Rhea. We are welcomed with big smile and the workers are
friendly too. I would recommend this in the conduct of plant tour in the next batch.