Surigao del Norte’s mining town of Claver is set to receive PHP12.8 million from a mineral processing plant for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine procurement.

In a statement Wednesday, Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation (THPAL) said the allocation is part of its Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), which the company allocates every year for host and neighboring communities where it operates.

Early this month, THPAL said the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Caraga Region (MGB-13) headed by Director Glenn Marcelo Noble approved its annual SDMP plan containing the proposed expenditures “aimed at creating a self-reliant, self-sustained and managing communities.”

THPAL, a mineral processing plant in Barangay Taganito, Claver, said the SDMP contains allocations for healthcare services, education, livelihood, public utilities and infrastructure development, and socio-cultural preservation.

The company said it will work with the local government unit for the procurement of the vaccines for some 28,000 residents, or 70 percent of the local population.

“The company’s SDMP aims to help cushion the impact of the pandemic, and we are hoping that vaccination can be done soon so we can all move forward and work on the rebuilding of our economy,” said Genevieve Chua, THPAL community relations manager.

THPAL is a hydrometallurgical processing plant that uses the “high-pressure acid leach” method to convert the low‐grade nickel laterite ore to produce nickel and cobalt mixed sulfide. The product is exported to Japan, where it is processed further to manufacture medical tools and equipment, electronic batteries, and other industrial materials. (PNA)