IBALANGIBOG SA BILOG NA MUNDO, URAGON AN BICOLANO! KAYA TA AN RESPONSABLENG PAGMIMINA SA RAPU-RAPU!

THE NEWSWEEK
VOL. 1 NO. 7 AN INTRA-COMPANY OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RAPU-RAPUPOLYMETALLIC PROJECT JULY 5 - 31, 2006

2nd PHASE OF THE TEST RUN COMPLETED

The 9th and last day of the Second Stage of the Test
Run of the Base Metals Plant was successfully com-
pleted last Thursday, July 27, 2006. The company is
now awaiting the go-signal from the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and
Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) for the
Third Stage to commence pending compliance of
Stage 3 requirements.
The 1st stage involved water-testing for five days.
The 2nd stage involved operation of all critical sec-
tions of the Base Metal Plant (SAG Mill, Ball Mill,
Regrind Mill, Flotation, Detoxification and Tails
Disposal) in a continuous steady state 24-hour op-
eration on non-economic ore for nine (9) consecu-
tive days.
The Third Stage would involve milling of economic
ore and use of chemicals. The success of this final
stage would mean pushing through with the com-
pany’s application for full resumption of operations
in the Rapu-Rapu Island.

RAPU-RAPU PROJECT WELCOMES

NEW CAMP SERVICE PROVIDER
cal employees on new management’s operation.
Most of PSPI’s local employees whose performance
were notably well will be absorbed and transferred
to SSASI so issues and concerns of work displace-
ment will be laid to rest.
SSASI’s team is composed of Project Manager
Dante Ledesma, Chief Cook Bienvenido Jilla,
Laundry Supervisor Ryan Labarter and Housekeep-
ing Supervisor Edward Pedrosa. They all hail from
Davao and have been working for the Marco Polo
Hotel before coming to Rapu-Rapu. Everyone is
looking forward to more sumptuous meals and five-
star quality laundry and housekeeping services!
The SSASI Team in Action

The Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project opened its

doors to the new service provider, Southern Sentinel
Allied Services, Inc. (SSASI) when its contract with
Power Service Providers, Inc. (PSPI) ended on July
23, 2006.

The soft opening took place on the morning of July

24, 2006 with the SSASI group taking over the ser-
vices at the two mess halls. The gradual turnover of
services and facilities is still ongoing with PSPI
working hand in hand with the SSASI’s team as
they go about discussing issues and orienting the lo-
The New Look at the Mess Hall
 VOL. I NO. 7 THE ISLAND NEWSWEEK JULY 5 - 31, 2006

NEW CHALLENGES COME WITH NEW FACES

July 2006 brought another batch of new faces to the Rapu-Rapu Island. WELCOME ABOARD, GUYS….

JOSE GERALD Y. CUBIAS ORLANDO B. EBRADA

HRAS Department Pit Technician A
A native of Sorsogon, Consultant for Geology Department
Community Relations in Sorsogon Malobago, Rapu-Rapu, Albay

MICHAEL FRANCIS G. LAGMAN DONNIE ROY B. SALES

Plant Metallurgist Process Operator I
Technical Services Department Production Department
San Fernando, Pampanga Sto. Domingo, Albay

EDER E. BANDOQUILLO ENRICO S. UMALI

Pit Technician A Process Operator I
Geology Department Production Department
Malobago, Rapu-Rapu, Albay Malobago, Rapu-Rapu, Albay

GOODBYES ARE NOT FOREVER…

On July 29, 2006, Rapu-Rapu said goodbye to a very spe-
cial lady who has been like a mother to everyone in the
camp. Arlene Lindfield a.k.a. Ms. A, said her farewell in a
party that was attended by people who are close to her (and
that’s almost everyone in this camp!).

It was a night to remember with everyone feasting on the

food and the endless stream of booze, good music, topped
off by lively conversations. The crowd of party-goers fell
silent when Ms. A was asked to speak some parting words.
It was an emotional moment for her, she admitted later on.

The party also gave Michelle Oñate, Serge Serdzeff and

Jim Moore the chance to say their goodbyes and their
wishes for Rapu-Rapu as they were also bound to leave the
site on the same week as Ms. A.
Ms. A and the gang of well-wishers

Saying goodbye is very tough but we can all take some

comfort in the fact that it’s never forever. Life is a continu-
ous cycle, people come and go but someday, somehow,
they just might find their paths crossing again and reliving
fond memories of Rapu-Rapu.

We will certainly miss Ms. A and the rest of the employees

who are moving on to the next chapter in their lives. Rapu-
Rapu wishes them the best.

EDITORIAL BOARD
Managing Editor: Cecille Calleja
Lay-out and Contributing Editor: Michelle M. Oñate
Distribution and Contributor: Arnold A. Guadalupe
Contributor: Gilbert M. Llovit
The HRAS Family