An EIA is a process that involves the prediction and assessment of the environmental and social impacts of a proposed project during construction, commissioning, operation and rehabilitation/closure.
The result of an EIA process will be presented in the form of an Environmental Impact Statement report that shall support the application for an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
The EIA for the Tampakan Mine will be presented to the Philippine government for review on Q4 of 2011.
Separate environmental impact assessment studies for related off-site infrastructure, including a port facility, power station, transmission lines and concentrate pipeline, are currently underway and are expected to be completed in 2012.
A summary of the EIA process is below (Click here for a larger view):
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