LX International recognized for restoring Philippine copper mine’s ecosystem

This combined image shows the Rapu Rapu copper mine before LX International’s rehabilitation, left, and the same mine after the Korean company’s restoration. Courtesy of LX International

LX International, a trading company under LX Group, said Thursday it received a Certificate of Final Relinquishment from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) under the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources, after restoring the ecosystem of the Rapu Rapu copper mine in the Southeast Asian country.

This marks the first time the Philippine government has granted the certificate since the 1995 amendment to the Philippine Mining Act, which mandated mine rehabilitation. The decision was based on the bureau’s review of LX International’s fulfillment of its plan to restore an abandoned mine.

LX International also became the first Korean company to earn official recognition from a foreign government for restoring the ecosystem of an overseas mine.

The company acquired the Rapu Rapu mine in 2008 to produce copper and zinc.

It began rehabilitating the mine’s environment in 2018 in partnership with the local community. During this process, LX International improved village infrastructure near the mine, built an elementary school and donated funds to support residents attending college.

MGB Director Michael Cabalda, who attended the certificate presentation ceremony, expressed his appreciation to the Korean company for taking responsibility for environmental restoration.

He described the rehabilitation work as a model of sustainable development and cooperation with the local community.

“Our recent achievement was made possible through collaboration among the company, the local community and the government,” an LX International official said. “We have demonstrated that responsible mine development and environmental restoration can be achieved hand in hand, paving the way for sustainable resource development.”

LX International said it plans to continue pursuing sustainable resource development.

The company is seeking to acquire additional assets to boost productivity at the AKP nickel mine in Indonesia, which it acquired last year. In the medium to long term, it aims to diversify its business through potential investments in copper mines in the Philippines and other countries.

To support these goals, LX International opened an office in Manila this year.