The Tampakan Project continues to generate employment opportunities, support local businesses, fund community projects and contribute to government taxes and charges, and in doing so, brings considerable benefits to Tampakan and the surrounding communities.

In 2007, the project contributed PhP 780 million (USD 18.9 million) to the Philippine/Mindanao economy through:

• Employment of more than 446 people and a further 325 local people working weekly rotational shifts on the project’s exploratory drilling rigs;
• An annual wages bill in excess of PhP 113 million (USD 2.7 million);
• PhP 512 million (USD 12.4 million) on purchasing regional goods and services;
• PhP 101 million (USD 2.4 million) paid to governments in taxes and charges;
• PhP 4 million (USD 97,000) paid in taxes to local councils;
• PhP 27 million (USD 653,000) in power and fuel charges; and
• Community partnerships, sponsorship and donations totalling more than PhP 23 million (USD 580,000)

Local suppliers

SMI gives preference to local suppliers when sourcing goods and services where they are technically capable and commercially competent. We also assess businesses based on their involvement in community support programs or local social initiatives. In 2007, just over 16% of goods and services were purchased from local suppliers within the project area.

All new suppliers and contractors to the project are required to complete a pre-contractual questionnaire to ensure they are fully compliant with local business regulations. We conduct briefing sessions with our suppliers, contractors and general service providers on our Business Principles to ensure they are fully aware of our requirements and standards in relation to governance and ethics, human rights, child and forced labour, environmental performance, and health and safety practices.

Local employment

We are committed to employing people from within the project, the surrounding areas, the Mindanao region and from within the Philippines.

In 2007, 44% of the project’s regular workforce came from the projects’ three host municipalities (Tampakan, Columbio and Kiblawan), while 28% were sourced from General Santos City and other South Cotabato areas. A further 27% of the workforce came from other provinces within the Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon regions. Just over 1% of the workforce originated from outside of the Philippines.

Local Infrastructure

SMI develops and maintains local infrastructure that benefits both the project and the local community. We contribute engineering expertise, project management and funding for infrastructure projects undertaken in partnership with local government such as the rehabilitation of local roads and the construction and restoration of public school buildings.