Hinatuan Mining Corp. (HMC) announces with pride the success of its coral nursery project in the island of Hinatuan, Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte. HMC is a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC). “The coral nursery initiative, designed and implemented by HMC’s Mine Environmental Protection and Enhancement Department (MEPEO), aims to further enhance the growth of the natural coral reef systems around the marine waters of the island,” explains Forester Manuel A. Torres, Jr., HMC’s MEPEO lead and Envi-Manager. For Jusua dela Peña, HMC’s dedicated marine biologist, ‘success’ means that in less than a year of establishing the nursery – initially with 343 coral fragments in 4 nursery beds – the coral fragments have fully recovered with an excellent growth rate and a yield of 90% survival against a mortality rate of 10%. The nursery begins the successful coral gardening in Hinatuan Island as healthy coral “outgrowths” are transplanted to propagate the coral garden.

Hinatuan Mining declares success in 'Coral Gardening'. (2020, July 27). Business Mirror, p. B6.