Zambo Mining Firm Launches HR Impact Assessment

The internal assessment will greatly assist TVIRD in moving forward in policy development and new project development.

TVI Resource Development Phils., Inc. (TVIRD) announced Saturday the launch of a Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) to be conducted by a panel of independent experts reviewing its polymetallic mining project in Canatuan, Zamboanga del Norte – past, present and future.

To further its commitment to protect and promote human rights in all its stakeholder dealings and in alignment with leading international human rights standards.

This initiative complements TVIRD’s earlier agreement to cooperate fully with the Canadian NGO, Rights and Democracy, that is taking the Canatuan Project as one of the five case studies on three continents in its efforts to develop a Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) methodology.

The TVIRD-sponsored assessment will be conducted by the external review panel in close coordination with a parallel, internal management panel and will be based on Rights and Democracy’s draft HRIA methodology. Two products will emerge from the assessment.

One will be an independent report by the External Review Panel, which is composed of external development professionals, along with a Philippines-specific adaptation of the HRIA methodology, which the experts can carry forward in their own domains.

The other will be a report from TVIRD managers – who comprise the Internal Review Panel – on the company’s experience in Canatuan. TVIRD will use this report for policy and program development and future projects.

The HRIA instrument was developed by Rights and Democracy, an NGO created by the Canadian Parliament in 1988 – which now works with individuals, organizations and governments worldwide to defend and promote human rights as defined in the International Bill of Human Rights.

TVIRD will also cooperate fully with the HRIA study being conducted by Rights and Democracy through its Philippine partners, which include: the Legal Rights Center (LRC), Mining Watch Canada, Tebtebba, DIOPIM Committee on Mining Issues (DCMI), and Philippine Indigenous People’s Links.

“The internal assessment that will run parallel to the Rights and Democracy -commissioned study will greatly assist us in moving forward in terms of enhancing our good relationships with our host communities,” Ed Coronel, TVIRD Social Commitment Director, said.

“It also holds out far-reaching potential for policy development in the Philippines, and in respect to mining operations in general.”

He said the HRIA-based internal assessment “is part of the broad-ranging process that TVIRD has adopted in formulating policies and programs that seek to better promote the development of the indigenous Subanon people of Canatuan and other members of the company’s host communities, as well as the welfare of its employees.

”The programs TVIRD will develop under this process will cover policy areas on a Code of Conduct, human rights and security, environmental management, development of host communities, promotion of rights of indigenous peoples, and occupational health and safety.

The initiatives and programs being developed will be the subject of future announcements as they are implemented.

“What we are calling our Social Commitments Initiative 2006 is expected to contribute significantly to the development of good practices on managing the impact of minerals development on host communities and their environment,” Coronel said.