An interdisciplinary team of researchers from CSU and MGB working on sustainability science bagged the 1st place in the PH-UKRI Mineral Resources Management Call for Proposal. Of the 18 proposals submitted nationwide, the proposal entitled “Developing a Sustainable pathway for the Philippine Nickel sector or SusNi” submitted by the team emerged No. 1 among the 5 proposals that got funded.
The call seeks applications from combined UK-Philippine teams eligible to hold NERC and DOST-PCIEERD grants, respectively. UK-Philippine teams were invited to apply for funds to generate a whole system view of sustainable mineral supplies in the Philippines. Initially up to 5 short Partnership and Project Development Grants are awarded to teams to facilitate the development of strategic Large Grant proposals which will be due on July 2021. All winning proposals include both a UK Principal Investigator and a Philippine Principal Investigator and teams that demonstrate clear UK-Philippine partnerships and collaboration (with equal or proportionate participation from UK and Philippine researchers) to address the strategic scope and objectives of the call.
As one of the world’s most mineral-rich countries, mineral extraction in the Philippines is a critical industry which offers significant potential benefits and returns to both the economy and local livelihoods. While the global demand for minerals to support clean energy technologies is growing, mining remains restricted in the Philippines due to past environmental impacts, illegal operations, and mismanagement. Thus this new programme of research is seen to deliver a sustainable pathway for Philippine mineral supplies. Sustainable production in the mining and mineral sector can benefit the country economically with minimal environmental impacts, and subsequently reduced negative impacts on the health and well-being of local communities.
The winning project team is composed of CSU Researchers and their counterparts from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). The CSU Team includes Dr. Romell A Seronay, Marine Scientist serving as the Project Leader; Dr. Rowena P. Varela, Agro-ecologist; Dr. Sherryl L. Paz, Terrestrial Wildlife Biologist; Dr. Engielle Mae Paguican, Geologist; and Dr. Joycelyn C. Jumawan, Aquatic System Biologist. The team from MGB includes Engr. Francis Glenn R. Suante, Mining Engineer, and Engr. Bernard Bitanga, a Metallurgist. Source: OVPRIE/pico
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