FCF Minerals Corporation Information

FCF is committed to acting as a positive and responsible neighbour to the communities that we work within. We recognise that a key to future success lies in the establishment of strong and lasting relationships with local stakeholders, and acknowledge our responsibilities to our host communities. These are the values at the heart of the Runruno Livelihood Foundation, (RLF). The RLF is involved in a diverse range of community-based activities and is structured in such a way that each village has its own dedicated community adviser. The advisers concentrate on developing the skills of the residents of a particular area, each running a specific production project such as a bakery, citrus processing operation or sewing initiative. Among the established bodies are the Rattan Makers Association, Dumaliguia Women's Group, and the Maranggad Potable Water Users Association. In terms of health care, the Foundation is committed to raising awareness and improving services. It has repaired and renovated a local clinic, provided a community doctor and nurse, and invested in medical equipment and supplies. The medical staff provided run regular medical missions and classes for mothers to help raise awareness of disease and nutrition. They also operate a feeding program for over 300 pre-school children and scores of grade 1 and 2 pupils with ages ranging from 3 to 9 years old. As part of the RLF sanitation program over 100 rolls of hose piping have been provided so that clean drinking water can be directed to where it is needed most. Villagers are encouraged to take an active role in the drinking water project and are trained in the skills necessary for its maintenance and development. The Runruno Foundation is dedicated to raising the educational standards of local people. It provides the salaries for twenty three public school teachers and fifteen down stream barangays' day care centre teachers. It also donated school supplies for nearly 750 students. Along with the education of the region's youngsters, the Foundation is also dedicated to raising the levels of literacy and numeracy among the adult population, and operates a strong adult educational program. The Foundation itself employs over 25 staff and has enabled many more people to find meaningful employment through it's strong mix of support and training. The Foundation has organised and financed the training of hundreds of people in areas like meat processing, welding and village electrician short courses. The aim is to give locals a valuable employment skill and to emphasise the value of learning. Even senior citizens, fifteen of them, from the local villages are employed to do potting work at the Company's seedling nurseries. The Foundation also teaches local people to respect their environment and to interact with it in a positive way. The community advisers encourage villagers to become involved with a variety of ecological projects such as the 'Plant for Life' initiative, in association with the Department of Education, and the establishment of plant nurseries. The positive work of the project is also visible in the physical infrastructure which it has created. Local people now have several day care centres, a community training centre and chapel to use as they wish for meetings, events and worship. The Foundation has also financed the rehabilitation of 11 hanging bridges and countless pathways to enable villagers to travel with greater ease than was previously possible. In the aftermath of Typhoon Paeng in November 2006, the RLF played a vital role in the relief effort. It ensured that immediate attention was given to solid waste management and provision of clean water to prevent any outbreak of diseases. It was involved in the setting up of medical stations, the provision of clean drinking water and food to affected families, and the setting up of temporary washing facilities.