...

⚫How are Sumitomo Metal Mining and CBNC ensuring stakeholder access to grievance mechanisms related to this project?

...

There are two main complaint channels involving CBNC, through which members of the local community can report complaints: (1) the CBNC contact point, and (2) the local community council. CBNC holds several regular meetings with the local community, and information about these complaint channels is communicated at each meeting. When complaints are received, their handling status is also reviewed.

Major regular meetings include monthly meetings to review environmental monitoring results and annual meetings to discuss community-related annual plans. In addition, CBNC conducts emergency response drills together with the local community three times a year in preparation for any possible environmental incidents.

Furthermore, RTNMC, the entity responsible for mine development management, has also established a complaint channel, which is similarly communicated to stakeholders. In the event of environmental issues or other concerns, CBNC and Sumitomo Metal Mining address the situation by engaging with RTNMC and working toward a resolution through indirect involvement.

...

⚫ Please provide the names of all rivers that may be affected by the mining operations of Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC) on Mt. Bulanjao. Additionally, please explain what measures have been taken or are planned to mitigate the discharge of hexavalent chromium contamination into these rivers.

The river affected by mining activities in the Blangjao development area is the Rio Tuba River. As with previous mining development areas, RTNMC has installed siltation ponds in the newly constructed project water channels within the development area, and after appropriate wastewater management, the treated water is discharged into the Rio Tuba River.

At the discharge point, monthly monitoring is conducted by RTNMC, and quarterly monitoring is carried out by a team under the local government, which includes representatives from the local community and CBNC. The results of water quality management — including monitoring of hexavalent chromium—are reviewed at regular meetings with the local community.

...

Note: Please be advised that RTNMC is not a subsidiary of Sumitomo Metal Mining, but rather a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corporation, which is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange. Therefore, the information we are able to provide regarding RTNMC’s actions is limited.