DIDIPIO MINE ACCESS ROAD

OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc. owns and operates the high-grade gold and copper Didipio mining project bounded by the provinces of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya, about 270 km north of Manila, Philippines. Prior to opening the site for operation, construction of a 24-kilometer access road was required. Large portions of mountain slopes were cut for the said purpose. The cut slopes, when exposed to rain, were prone to erosion. Immediate prevention was required to address the problem.

The solution proposed by Maccaferri, through its recommended contractor, Infratex Philippines Inc. (IPI), was approved by the customer. The slope protection system utilized BioMac C, a product made of 100% biodegradable coconut fibers, for soil erosion control of slopes less than five meters in height and with slope angle up to 45° . For slopes higher than five meters in height and with slope angles greater than 45°but lower than 70°, Enkamat 7018, a three-dimensional geoblanket was recommended. Biomac ‘C’ is designed specifically for the reduction of slope erosion, and when properly seeded, it assists in the propagation of new growth in areas subject to occasional flows. It reduces erosion and downward migration of soils when installed properly. It will decompose in time fertilizing the soil and expediting richer vegetation growth. Enkamat 7018 is a proven, lightweight, flexible alternative solution to rigid concrete, asphalt and stone riprap systems for controlling erosion. It is typically designed to help nature develop strong vegetation for permanent erosion protection of slopes, rivers, banks, ditches, channels, spillways, landfills, shorelines, and other vulnerable erosion prone areas.