- Rapu-Rapu Copper Mine Rehabilitation Recognized as a Best Practice of Critical Minerals Cooperation

- LX International: “This will serve as an important foundation of trust for expanding overseas resource development projects”

LX International has received an official commendation from the Philippine government in recognition of its successful completion of environmental rehabilitation at the Rapu-Rapu copper mine in the Philippines.

The award ceremony was held on the 4th during the Korea–Philippines Business Forum at the Conrad Hotel in Manila, where Juan Miguel Cuna, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), personally presented the commendation to LX International CEO Koo Hyek-seo. Koo attended the event as part of the Korean economic delegation to the Philippines.

An LX International official explained, “Our consistent responsibility across the entire resource development process—from development to rehabilitation—was highly recognized. It is particularly meaningful that the Philippine government presented the award directly to the first case in the country’s mining history to fulfill environmental rehabilitation obligations.”

Following the ceremony, the Manila branch leader of LX International delivered a presentation introducing the Rapu-Rapu mine project as a representative example of critical minerals cooperation between the two countries. The project was highlighted as a significant turning point in the Philippine mining sector and as a best practice of responsible overseas resource development implemented by a Korean company, drawing strong interest from attendees from both nations.

Since acquiring the Rapu-Rapu mine in 2008, LX International has systematically carried out all stages of resource development, including development, production, mine closure, and environmental rehabilitation. In particular, the company began full-scale environmental rehabilitation in 2018, implementing professional and continuous programs such as soil stabilization, ecological restoration, and water quality management. In August last year, it received official approval from the Philippine government confirming the completion of its ‘Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plan’. This marks the first approved environmental rehabilitation case in the history of the Philippine mining industry and the first instance of a Korean company receiving official certification for mine rehabilitation overseas.

An LX International official stated, “This commendation from the Philippine government will serve as a solid foundation of trust as we pursue the securing of critical minerals globally. We will continue to develop a sustainable natural resource development model in which securing critical minerals and responsible management create a virtuous cycle.”

LX International plans to further strengthen its resource business competitiveness by continuing to expand investments in promising future minerals such as nickel, bauxite, and copper in the global market. 

(Photo 1) 

LX International CEO Koo Hyek-seo(right) poses for a commemorative photo with Juan Miguel Cuna (center), Secretary of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Lee Joon-taek, Manila branch leader of LX International after receiving a commendation for the successful environmental rehabilitation of the Rapu-Rapu copper mine during the Korea–Philippines Business Forum held at the Conrad Manila on the 4th March.

(Photo 2) 

LX International CEO Koo Hyek-seo (right) receives a commendation from Juan Miguel Cuna, Secretary of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in recognition of the successful environmental rehabilitation of the Rapu-Rapu copper mine during the Korea–Philippines Business Forum held at the Conrad Manila on the 4th March.

(Photo 3) 

Lee Joon-taek, Manila branch leader of LX International, presents the Rapu-Rapu copper mine project as a representative case of critical minerals cooperation between Korea and the Philippines at the Korea–Philippines Business Forum held at the Conrad Manila on the 4th March.

(Photo 4) 

The Rapu-Rapu copper mine in the Philippines operated by LX International after environmental rehabilitation. Terraced slope restoration and vegetation reestablishment have restored green coverage. The lower-right image shows the site before rehabilitation.