BENGUET — A group opposed to the mining exploration permit of Royalco which covers 5,241 hectares in Barangay Gambang, Bakun town started to gather more documents that could possibly help advance their cause.

The Gambang Indigenous Peoples and Community Organization (GIPACO) formally requested the Courier to possibly issue if a certification that the Royalco’s Exploration Project Application or EXPA 0001 marked as Exploration Permit No. 005A-2008-CAR was published by the paper.

Courier staff checked the files but initial findings showed negative result.

GIPACO wanted to know from local publications if Royalco complied with the requirements of Sec.3 (Sec. 21) of DAO 2007-15 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which requires mining applicants to submit an affidavit of publication or certification from newspaper publications, radio stations, and offices concerned.

The request was made after GIPACO officers led by board of directors chair Fausto Maliones passed Resolution 04 s. of 2009 requesting newspaper publications to issue certificates of publication (or non-publication) of the EXPA of Royalco (formerly Oxiana Philippines, Inc.).

“This organization needs this affidavit of publication/certification in order to determine if Royalco complied with these requirements in the issuance of their exploration permit,” reads the GIPACO resolution.

Reports state that indigenous cultural communities opposed to the mining operations in Gambang, Bakun raised fear on the alleged deceitful and fraudulent processes undertaken leading to the granting of the exploration permit of Royalco.

IPs concerned also expressed apprehension that the exploration permit may be converted into a mineral production sharing agreement or financial and technical assistance agreement when the holder opts to do so.