Coral Bay Nickel Corporation is a mineral processing plant which processes low-

grade nickel ores adopting the High Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) technology producing
Nickel/Cobalt mixed sulphides and operating in accordance to its Mission and Vision. Also it
is an ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certified in Environmental
Management System and Quality Management System. As a mineral processing company,
it is committed to be the world’s leading producer by carrying out the four main policies.
First is to comply with all the obligations related to production activities and environmental
aspects, second is to protect the environment, third is to continually improve production
accomplishment, and environmental performance and Lastly is to engage in communication
with interested parties.

The company is composed mainly of eight departments. The Production, Technical,

PLD, GAD, EMQCS, SAFETY, MAINTENANCE AND COMREL. As on the job trainees, we had a
chance to be with the safety, EMQC, COMREL and PRODUCTION with the help of the GAD
supervising and knowing our concerns.

During our first stay here, we had our first orientation in the Safety Department. As
they say, “Safety First!” so we had a good first impression about the company. In there, we
are given a safety orientation about the dos and donts. Also we are given a short
background about the company its process overview and the safety inclusions. Several GHS(
Globally Harmonic System) signs were introduced to us. Also the right attire or PPE(
Personal Protective Equipment) was taught to us, its uses and proper handling. Then the
safety precautions before,on and after work to be done are also tackled. Even just by
knowing the importance of safety in the company, we are able to distinguish how beyond
ordinary this company is. Not setting aside the fact that millions are being spent for the
devices to ensure the security in the place.

The second Department wherein we spent two days with is the EMQC. We had fun
learning the role of EMQC while going to the certain places which is a part of their
department , from the TSF I and II, The Siltation pants, The Bio indicators, and the Pier Site.
Two days may not be enough to spend our time there appreciating the wonderful
environment being well preserved, it is enough to confirm that the environmental awards
are not just paper but of works. Sampling are done everytime, all permits are being
complied, results are being ensured to be accurate and the devices being used are really
provided inspite of the great cost it has. One of the best example is the electromagnetic
Precipitator which makes sure that the exhaust released in the atmosphere could not harm
the environment. Also, I appreciate the way that even when birds or animals are seen in the
plantsite, and they are in the equipment, the other department would let the ENVI handle
it. Surely making a good quality and quantity of the product would ensure a good gain for a
company. But a company that does this even by giving a great importance to environment is
highly commendable.

Our Next two days were spent in the COMREL (Community Relations). We also had a
nice experience in going to communities and meeting other people in certain places. What
struck me is when we went to Canipaan, Rizal. This community is already out of Bataraza but
ask for help to the COMREL, and without hesitation, we go to that community. We gave
agricultural tools to for the Opening of their Senior High School and it pinches my heart of
how happy and grateful the people appears to be there. We also had a chance to be with
the people of Bono-Bono and had a tour in the TSF I with them. As we travel from North to
South, the project of the CBNC and RTN is evidently visible anywhere. It feels like almost all
the places in Bataraza are already a beneficiary of the company. And when we had a chance
to have a conversion with the citizen, they are really blessed that CBNC exists. Their
concerns are being answered and given response that sometimes, though they have
government agencies, they go to the COMREL for fast provision of their requests. The CBNC
isn’t closed handed with the request of the people and community around but instead, is
very willing to help and do its best to give back to the people what they deserve.

We had a great opportunity to spend the longest duration of our stay there in the
production department and learn the process not just by mind but with all our senses and
understand it by heart. The Production Department is Mainly Composed of Two Sections,
The MS(Mixed Sulfide) section and HPAL(High Pressure Acid Leach). Each have different
processes, designs and function but both acts for one purpose of having a good quality
product, doing the operation as economically as it can get, be able to abide in
environmental laws and function without violating it, protect its people and give back to the
community specially those that are impacted by it.

There are five main processes and areas in the field which comprises the HPAL
section. These are the Ore preparation, HPAL (High Pressure Acid Leaching), Pre-
Neutralization, CCD (Counter Current Decantation) and Neutralization. It all starts in the Ore
Preparation area. The low grade ore are supplied by the Rio Tuba Mining Corporation. These
ores are carried by loaders and passed through series of screens, from static grizzlies, shake-
out machines, drumwashers to vibrating screens. Also, the conveyors are used for easy
transfer of ores from one place to another until the desired size is achieved and readied for
the thickening process. In here, we have the both the high rate thickener and deep cone
thickener for LINE I and only the high rate for the LINE II. After it, the slurry will be
transported to the HPAL which is the heart process through the help of pumps.

The HPAL process is composed of three stages of pre-heating, three stages of

depressurization and the autoclave. Also the relation of pressure with regards to
temperature is being used. It is the heart as said since the extraction of Nickel and Cobalt is
initially done here. It is by adding 98 percent concentration of Sulfuric Acid to aid the
leaching in a high pressure and high temperature setting. A good product after the HPAL
process is also a good indicator that most likely, the mixed sulphide product would be of
good quality. Initial pre-heating before entering the autoclave happens to avoid thermal
shock from low temperature, medium temperature to high temperature. This is done using
the heaters. In the autoclave, acid injection, steam injection, addition of oxygen together
with the slurry occurs. The acid is injected through LEWA pumps and the GEHO pumps also
aid the transfer of the slurry to a higher pressure vessel. Since we make use of Sulfuric acid,
we need a pre-neutralization stage inorder to remove partially the free acids and impurities.
Moreover, the pre-neutralization stage also contains precipitation tanks and it is where the
limestone is being added.

Now that the slurry is partially neutralized, it enters the CCD. It is made up of seven
thickeners. In the CCD, solid-liquid separation happens using the high rate thickeners.
Through the aid of the barren liquor from the MS section, and the flocculent to speed up
the settling, a pregnant liquor to be fed in the neutralization is being recovered.
Furthermore, the washed slurry residue is being discharged to the Final-Neutralization. The
final process in this section is the Neutralization process. This process makes use of
chemicals like limestone, coagulant and flocculent. The final desired product in here, which
is the neutralized pregnant liquor of 3.2 Ph will then be stored in the Neutralization
Overflow Tank, ready to be fed in the De-Zinc which is the start of the MS section.
 The MS Section is composed of the De-Zinc, MS(Mixed Sulfide) , Chemicals
Preparation, Final Neutralization and the H2S plant. From the Neutralization Tank of the
HPAL section, the pregnant liquor is being fed to the De- Zinc of the MS section. The
purpose of the De-Zinc is to precipitate the Zinc inorder to remove it by forming sulfides.
Then it will enter the Zinc Filter Feed Tank. After it is the Polishing Filters. We basically have
three polishing filters. The polishing filters contains filter clothes. After it, the Zinc free liquor
enters the MS feed tank. In the MS area, the solution pass through a series of reactors and is
stored in the MS Discharge Vessel. Then, in the Thickener of the MS, which is a high rate
thickener, solid-liquid separation occurs. The underflow and the overflow is separated. The
overflow enters the Barren Liquor Filter Feed Tank. It passes through the Stripping Column
AND Vent Scrubbers. Since there is H2S being used in the process, we need scrubbers to
filtrate and control the pH of what we release in the atmosphere. Even the environmental
law requires a pH of 7, at a pH of 6, the plant will already have a shutdown, so the desired
pH must be less than 5. Then the barren liquor will go back to the CCD 7-Thickener of the
HPAL or to the Final Neutralization.

On the otherhand, the underflow will enter the MS Filter Feed Tank going to the
Pressure Filter. In the Pressure Filter, it is the final stage to get the mixed sulphide product
and it occurs through series of cycling steps. From the filtration, pipe washing, Cake
Washing I, Pressing I, Cake Washing II, Pressing II, Pipe Drain I, Air Drying with the aid of N2,
Pressure Release, Plate Pack Opening, Cake Discharge , Plate Pack Closing and then the
operator will ring the bell signaling the person in the packing area that the cycle is over.
Then the bag is being put in the sack having the sack serial number with the month, year,
pressure filter number and the number of that bag being produced in that month. Then the
forklift will transfer it to the Mixed Sulfide Stock Room with the DCS’S request.

The Production is not that easy but with the right relationship and handling of
responsibilities, the company would be able to reach the target or go beyond it. There is a
need for a systematic communication and dissemination of information for the department
to work out as efficient as it can be. It is lead by the JSIs, General Foremen and the Section
Head. There are also Chief Supervisors and Senior Supervisors to handle the Junior
Supervisors and the Operators. The Junior Supervisors mostly are assigned in the DCS, They
are like the mediator between the chiefs and the operators, having the control and monitor
of what is happening in the field. The Operators and technicians go out in the actual field
and do the sampling and monitoring of the equipment and product. Though the company is
already above average in the control of equipment compared to others, having an actual
sight outside is still important. Through sampling and monitoring, the problems and
abnormal processes is being observed and then they will report it to the DCS. The DCS
would then decide or ask advise from the Supervisors for the certain accurate
countermeasure to be taken account. It is to solve the problem and to prevent another
possible occurrence of problem. Also one of the best practices in here is the making of KY
Cards, everyone is expected to write in the KY cards which is composed of the assigned task,
a possible accident, the countermeasure to be done and the objective of the
countermeasure. This enables one to be more cautious knowing a certain hazard might
happen if safety is not considered and also, in case of accident, a person would be able to
respond appropriate to the situation.

One of the main reasons why the company functions exemplarily is the way it gives
important to safety, which indirectly means, it really gives importance to its people. There
are countless safety precautions and habits found everywhere and done every time. Even
from the townsite, to the Macadam road, to the plantsite, to the Central Building, in the
field and even inside the DCS room and comfort rooms. Safety signs which is in accord with
the GHS( Globally Harmonic System) are placed anywhere, alarms on different areas are
being placed, cctv cameras are also present, there are pullcords and automatic shutdown
buttons, everyone is expected to be in complete PPE in the field and to act as safe as
possible. The Safety Department also take charge of those who violate the safety rules.
Thus, Accident, though it is inevitable, the losses and effects of it is reduced. Though
economical side is also of great consideration, safety isn’t set aside. A good company
considers the environment, community, and abide with the environmental policies and use
safety as the key.

As a student, I don’t think I deserve to give verdict on the operations and processes
in the way it was made and done. I believe that no one is perfect and nothing could be as
real as ideal. But due to my observations, there are really persons who do their best and
work more than what is expected from them, there are others who only comply to what is
required, and there are a few who oftentimes disobey the rules. Sometimes it is better too if
the people above builds a deeper relationship with the ones under, this is to avoid
misinterpretations and misconceptions when a task would be assigned to them. As the
Japanese always says, “We are a Family”. If people would put in my mind that it is not just a
job to accomplish for salary’s sake but together, they work as a team, as friends and as
family, then they would be more than encourage to work well. Also, there are certain
problems about conforming to the SOP and its implementation. SOP is with regards to the
mandated steps and rules in doing a certain activity. Since I am not that knowledgeable
about this, I can’t say the pros and cons but sometimes it gives a little chaos in the
workplace as others wants to follow it but there are circumstances that leads to violation of
it.

In spite of the little negativity, it is nothing compared to the beauty of the

opportunity being offered to us. The people here made us believe that when you do
something you love, you’ll surely be happy and proud that you spend those night times
studying well. Being an ojt, is one of the best experience I had and choosing Coral Bay Nickel
Corporation is one best decision that I would be proud of. As a whole, I am more than
impressed by the uniqueness of this company which made me answer my doubts of it being
hailed as one of the World’s Best Company.

For everyone and everything and countless good things I will cherish, thank you
CBNC and may God richly bless this company.