Question

Explain about Marcopper Mining of Marinduque and the social responsibilities and how they can help others

Answer 1

The Marcopper Mining Corporation has been operating in Marinduque Island in the Philippines for almost 30 years. Numerous issues have arisen due to the mining activities; severe health and environmental concerns have put the population in danger. Marinduque is a relatively impoverished region that is mainly reliant on agriculture and fisheries. Mining has contaminated rivers, killed fish, and inundated agricultural areas in the region. Not only was the water supply dwindling, but it was also polluted. People were poisoned indirectly through fish and water, but others died directly from mining activities (Mendoza et al., 2016). One guy, who worked for Marcopper for ten years as a driver, died of lung cancer at the early age of 39. Doctors determined that it was caused by the "red dust" he was exposed to daily at work. A month's earnings were reimbursed for his fatal sickness.

Despite these negatives, Marcopper employs about 1,000 people, the majority of whom are from the island. Additionally, the company invests $30 million each year in local products and services and provides energy to the province (Tauli-Corpuz). Nonetheless, this island continues to be one of the poorest in the nation. The Philippine government aggressively promotes international companies and works to attract investments, such as mining, to the country. Things like the 1985 Mining Act, which enables mining firms to hold 100% of their stock, and weak environmental restrictions exist to attract businesses (Loudon, 2016). Marinduque has made many attempts to hear their voices, but their allegations against Marcopper have been mostly disregarded. The conflict between development and the environment is evident here, and it is an issue that emerging countries are increasingly facing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Marcopper Mining Corporation has been operating on Marinduque Island in the Philippines for almost 30 years.