Corporate Responsibility

Groups Hit DENR for Seeking Compromise on Controversial Mining Deal

Kailash — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:17:46 +0100

Manila — Various groups criticized the DENR today, for pushing for a compromise deal on the controversial Tampakan mining project in South Cotabato. Sec. Ramon Paje was quoted yesterday in major dailies, that the “DENR will protect the investment” in the threatened mining project. According to Paje, the marching order for him was to find a “win-win solution” to this issue. The Province of South Cotabato formalized its passage of its Environment Code last June 28, putting a ban on open pit mining. The local code has effectively put in limbo one of the largest mining project in the country.

IFC Investment in Mindoro Resources Supports Responsible Mining in the Philippines

Kailash — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:22:43 +0100

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA and MANILA, PHILIPPINES – IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, today agreed to invest about 2.1 million Canadian dollars in Mindoro Resources Ltd to support a nickel exploration project in the Philippines that is expected to provide jobs and government revenues once a mine is developed.

Mindoro, a Canada-based mining exploration company, will use IFC’s investment for exploration at the Agata nickel project in the Surigao district on Mindanao Island.

South Cotabato governor signs ban on open-pit mining

Kailash — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:57:31 +0100

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — Religious and environment groups hailed outgoing Gov. Daisy Fuentes of South Cotabato for signing into law a local environment code, which banned open-pit mining in the province.

“Up to the last hour of her stay in office, Gov. Fuentes remains true to her promise to protect the environment and uphold the interest of the greater majority,” Fr.

CBCP tells Noynoy to implement mining moratorium

Kailash — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:49:50 +0100

A Catholic Church official urged President-elect Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III to impose a moratorium on mining once he assumes office.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) National Secretariat for Social Action (Nassa) also pushed for a review of mining policies.

“This is our call for President Noynoy. This is a big problem and it’s not true that mining brought development to communities where mining operations are present,” CBCP Nassa executive secretary Fr. Edwin Gariguez said in a Church-organized forum on mining.

10,000 march to press South Cot gov to sign environment code

Kailash — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:06:53 +0100

KORONADAL CITY — Pressure has continued to build up on outgoing South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes as she bides for time before deciding on the fate of the Provincial Environment Code passed last week by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan which bans open-pit mining.

Earlier reports quoted Fuentes as having said she was keen on signing the controversial code, citing the adverse impact of open-pit mining on water sources.

Her pronouncement sent an estimated 3,000 opponents of the code, who are supporters of the huge copper and gold venture of foreign-backed Sagittarius Mines Inc.

The Diocese of Marbel Lauds South Cotabato SP Members

Kailash — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:34:13 +0100

The Diocese of Marbel commends members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan of South Cotabato. For passing the Environment Code that bans open pit mining methods in the province, they are leaving behind a legacy worthy of praise by the people of the province.

For mining companies like SMI/Xstrata, we understand they will continue to spread a scenario of doom for the province and for the country if the open pit ban is implemented. It is not also lost on us that their major concern is to profit from the mineral deposits of our province.

Zijin Says Open-Pit Ban Adds 'Uncertainties' to Indophil Mine

Kailash — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:04:06 +0100

Zijin Mining Group Co., buying Indophil Resources NL, said a ban on open-pit mining by a local government in the Philippines adds “uncertainties” to the Tampakan mining project partly owned by the Australian company.

Zijin in December agreed to buy Indophil Resources to gain a stake in Southeast Asia’s largest untapped copper and gold deposit in the Philippines. The bid is awaiting Chinese regulatory approval.

“Since we are still awaiting approval for the bid, we can’t say what we will do,” Zhao Jugang, head of board secretary office at Zijin, said by phone.

Davao Sur guv slams mining firm for toxic waste dumping plan

Kailash — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:39:39 +0100

DAVAO DEL SUR – Governor Douglas Cagas lambasted the top executives of Sagittarius Mining Inc. (SMI) for planning to turn Davao del Sur province into a dumping site for mine tailings and toxic wastes coming from its mining site at Tampakan, South Cotabato.

“Why are you using our province of Davao del Sur as your dumping site?” Cagas asked, addressing his question to SMI top executives who were absent during the recent Mining Industry Forum held at the Grand Men Seng Hotel in this city.

South Cotabato board prohibits open-pit mining

Kailash — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:25:14 +0100

KORONADAL CITY – Leaders of the local Catholic Church rejoiced on Thursday after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, or provincial board, in resource-rich South Cotabato voted to ban the open-pit mining method.

The ban is contained in the long-deliberated environment code of the province.

In a marathon session on Wednesday, the provincial board members voted six to five in favor of the provision banning open-pit mining. There was one abstention while two other members were absent during the voting for the second reading of the bill, where amendments were made section by section.

People's Court finds Xstrata, partner guilty of environment abuse

Kailash — Tue, 18 May 2010 11:45:21 +0100

A rebel court has ordered the ‘arrest’ of executives of a mining firm and its local partner operating in Mindanao, after finding them guilty of abusing the environment and local residents.

The People’s Court of Far South Mindanao ordered the New People’s Army (NPA) to ‘arrest’ officers of Swiss miner XStrata plc and top-level representatives of local partner Sagittarius Mines, Inc.

Thousands to protest against mining, deadly energy projects

Kailash — Mon, 03 May 2010 13:24:11 +0100

General Santos City — SoCSKSARGEN CAN (Climate Action Now) will lead protest activities in key centers in the region on April 21, 2010 (Wednesday) in commemoration of the World Earth Day.

“The protest actions are our concrete expression of commitment to protect the environment, manifest our opposition to various projects that will destroy its integrity and reverberate our demand for climate justice and a stop to global warming” said Sr.

Justice to Mining Disaster Victims in the Philippines

Kailash — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:16:21 +0100

March 24, 1996, Exactly 14 years ago, the worst mining disaster happened in Marinduque Island, Philippines put the country in the global map. The mine tailing collapse occurred a year after the passage of the Philippine Mining Act or R.A. 7942. The disaster resulted in the release of over 1.6 million cubic meters of tailings along 27 km of the river and the coastal areas. The impact on the river and the people who depend on it for their livelihoods was massive.

Group rejects coal plant in Davao Sur

Kailash — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 11:41:24 +0000

DIGOS CITY — The Tugaska-Davao del Sur (Tingog Ug Gugma Alang Sa Kinaiyahan-Davao del Sur) has started airing protests against the building of a coal-fired power plant by the Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) in the municipality of Malalag in Davao del Sur.

In a statement released Tuesday, Tugaska called on local government units (LGUs), environment groups, the church, and the people of Malalag and its neighboring towns to come together and fight the putting up of a coal power plant in the said town.

Coal Mining In Lake Sebu, South Cotabato Opposed By Environmental And Local Groups

Kailash — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:40:48 +0100

Local opposition demands the immediate cancellation of Sultan Energy Philippines Corporation’s (SEPC) Coal Operating Contract (COC) in Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. Yellen Zata, chairperson of Hublag Kontra Mina (HUKOM) based in Barangay Ned asserts that SEPC was not able to secure an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) within a year after the contract was awarded.

Groups slam Tampakan copper-gold mining project

Kailash — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:51:45 +0000

MANILA, Philippines — Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), an advocacy group on environmental and human rights issues and people’s movement composed of more than eighty (80) organizations from mining-affected communities and civil society organizations nationwide, said the Tampakan mining venture in South Cotabato create environmental devastation and will further induce conflict in the area.

Civil society laments lack of impartial investigation into the burning of school building in Tampakan

Kailash — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:24:51 +0000

KORONADAL CITY—-Last February 1, the school building of Datal Biao Elementary School in Barangay Danlag, Tampakan, South Cotabato was burned by still unidentified men. The military blames the New People’s Army (NPA) of the mine site atrocity. Datal Biao lies within the Mine Development Area of Xstrata—SMI.

BHP Billiton pulls out of Philippine nickel mining project but CAFOD continues call for new consent process

Kailash — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:23:24 +0000

Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP Billiton has cut ties with a controversial nickel mining project on a Philippine island community. The project funded and operated by BHP Billiton and worth US$22.7 billion, came under heavy criticism from a CAFOD report over allegations of bribery by BHP Billiton’s local joint venture partner AMCOR. BHP Billiton has sold its stake in the project to AMCOR.

But CAFOD is reiterating its call for a new, independently monitored community consent process to be carried out before any mining goes ahead in Macambol.

BHP sells stake in Philippine nickel project

Kailash — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:49:13 +0000

Global miner BHP Billiton has pulled out of a $US2 billion nickel project in the southern Philippines, selling its 40 per cent stake to a local partner.

The project was BHP’s only mining venture in the Southeast Asian country and the move could be part of the miner’s plan to exit the nickel business as early as next year after selling two major nickel divisions in four months.

Septagenarian Mother Lead A Tree Planting Against Mining Giant

Kailash — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:56:52 +0000

Surigao del Norte — a weekend of drizzle from inter-tropical storm in the province didn’t stop a septuagenarian woman leading the entire community in a tree planting initiative of a small village threatened by giant mining firm.

Anislagan, Placer, Surigao del Norte is an area very rich in natural resources. It has been identified by the government as its priority area in mining because of its rich mineral resources. It has first-class nickel and gold minerals. It is also abundant in its farm produce. Lakes, rivers, and spring, also surround it.

Sagittarius Mines ends swing of four towns to solicit support for gold and copper project

Kailash — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:29:11 +0000

GENERAL SANTOS — Foreign-backed Sagittarius Mines, Inc. concluded last week a four-town swing in which it disclosed company plans as well as listened to concerns raised by critics.

Company officials allayed fears of environmental degradation and stressed that the country would benefit from a mammoth revenue stream from the Tampakan copper and gold project, once it goes into commercial stream in 2016.

Roy D.

Mining Threatens Our Lives, Lands and Ancestral Domains, Water and Food Security

Kailash — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:36:23 +0000

While the Philippines is severely affected by catastrophic typhoons, landslides and floods caused by changing climate patterns due to disproportionate extraction and plunder of our natural resources, the Sagittarius Mines Incorporated (SMI)-Xtrata along with the government is determined to continue its mining operation in one of the last remaining watershed of South Central Mindanao region.

The company is presently conducting scoping activities as part of the EIA process with the intent of securing an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) early next year.

Toledo Mining hit by off-take cancellation from Berong mine

Kailash — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:46:40 +0000

Toledo Mining, the AIM listed nickel mining company working in the Philippines, has been hit by news that one of the buyers of nickel laterite ore from its Berong mine has terminated its contract.

Toledo’s 56.1%-owned Berong Nickel Corporation (BNC) has received notice from Queensland Nickel Pty Ltd to cancel a contract under which Queensland is required to buy a minimum of 300,000 wet metric tons of nickel laterite ore per year from BNC until mid-2012.

BNC is apparently disputing the notice of termination and has instructed its legal advisors to consider all available remedies.

CHR Chairperson Leila de Lima visits Didipio, Confirms OceanaGold's human rights violations

Kailash — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:41:17 +0000

The recent visit of Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Leila de Lima in Didipio last 05 November is commendable and shows seriousness and sincerity on the part of the commission to undertake a top level investigation with regards to complaints of human rights violations committed by OceanaGold Philippines Inc (OceanaGold) against the indigenous peoples’ residents of Barangay Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.

Discontent in a mining wilderness

Kailash — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:00:47 +0000

KIBLAWAN, DAVAO DEL SUR – Frustration has gone beyond boiling point in a bucolic tribal community here where guns have become the norm rather than the exception.

Circled by mountains and shrouded by an eerie calmness, Bong Mal is an enclave of B’laan tribesmen most of whom cannot read and write, nor speak or understand the dialect of the lowlanders.

On a clear day, thick rolling greenery (giant trees, grasses, corn fields) sways to the breeze as far as the eyes can see. The night is unusually cold, cricket sounds fill the air, fireflies twinkle around treetops.

BHP Billiton, RP partner begin talks to resolve row

Kailash — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:57:31 +0000

BHP Billiton, the world’s biggest mining company, and partner Asiaticus Management Corp. have started talks in Singapore to resolve an ownership row over the Pujada nickel project in Davao Oriental.

“They had a very cordial, warm meeting and they talked about common interest. The positive side is that their reconciliation in full progress,” said Environment Secretary Lito Atienza.

Asiaticus president Peter Tan and Ian Smith of BHP Billiton led the talks. Atienza attended the initial meeting as mediator.

In Surigao and Caraga Region, a Brutal Push for Investments

Kailash — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:40:34 +0100

Far from a counter-insurgency operation, the massive militarization and dislocation of communities in Surigao del Sur and the Caraga region had more to do with protecting business interests, primarily mining and energy investments.

House to probe mining intrusion in Davao Oriental

Kailash — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 21:02:16 +0100

THE House of Representatives is set to look into the alleged intrusion of mining companies in ancestral lands of the indigenous people in a mining area in Mati, Davao Oriental.

Reports reaching Sun.Star Davao showed that House committee on environment and natural resources chair, Representative Ignacio Arroyo, has already invited the local government of Mati, lumad representatives in barangays Macambol and Cabuaya, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the two mining companies — Asiaticus Management Corporation (Amcor) and international mining giant BHP Billiton.

The Price of Progress

Kailash — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:28:52 +0000

In the last three years that the Davao Region surpassed its economic targets, the number of poor people increased. Where did it go wrong?

Get hired before August 8 and get a P10,000 signing bonus,” declares a streamer posted by Concentrix, a call-centre company at Damosa Park along Bajada in Davao City . Two blocks away, construction workers work double-time on the new Robinson’s Cybergate, a mall that will feature a 5,000-square-meter IT park on its second floor once it’s finished early next year.

In the dark

Kailash — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:03:38 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Immoderate greed and corruption, no doubt, will become hallmarks of the present administration when it exits, hopefully, in 2010: from the agriculture funds used by Joc-Joc Bolante to “fertilize” the results of the 2004 elections, to the overpriced projects like the cancelled NBN-ZTE deal and, recently, with the “polished” script as to the real source of the stash money caught in the hands of one of the “euro generals.”

Greed and corruption, surely, are sins not of the original making of the Arroyo administration.

Church and Government Leader Calls TVI Pacific a 'liar'

John B — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:22:34 +0100

Dipolog City – The Canadian mining company TVI Pacific has been portraying itself as a responsible miner, not just in the Philippines, but all over the world. However this image has been ruined when the highest church leader in the province of Zamboanga Del Norte has accused it recently of being a ‘liar company.’

A Failed Promise - The Dumingag Case

John B — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:00:40 +0100

Dumingag, Zamboanga Del Sur – Reforestation was promised by logging companies to the people in this town. This never happened.

This time, with the promise of responsible mining of TVI Minerals Processing, Inc., the people in this town are wary; while others are downright saying not to the planned entry of the mining company. “Based on our experience, the areas that were destroyed by logging never again regained its former appearance and state. What more with mining where the mountain itself will be destroyed?”

Over 2600 Participate in an Anti-Mining Caravan which Culminates in Dipolog City

John B — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:41:50 +0100

Canatuan residents report that TVI mine tailings are leaking into their creeks.

John B — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:52:44 +0100

DCMI has recently heard reports from the community on Canatuan that mine tailings from TVI’s operations have been leaking out into the Lumot Creek. This creek runs into the Lituban River which, in turn, runs into the Siocon River and to the coastal area.

Security guard killed at Didipio

Kailash — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:23:35 +0100

AN OceanaGold Corporation security contractor has been shot dead at the Didipio gold-copper project in northern Luzon in the Philippines.

The Didipio project was acquired through the Climax Mining merger in 2006.

The guard, a Filipino national, was conducting a routine patrol yesterday morning when he was fatally wounded.

The company is working with local police to gather and confirm the facts surrounding the incident.

OceanaGold interim chief executive officer Marcus Engelbrecht said the company offered its condolences to the man’s family and friends.

Groups seek stronger World Bank investment standards to protect poor

Kailash — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:33:54 +0100

Organizations from different Asian countries demanded that multilateral agencies place additional and stronger safety provisions in their investment standards to ensure that poor communities do not become more vulnerable due to ‘aggressive’ development projects.

The call came in the heels of a scheduled review process of the International Finance Corp. (IFC) —- the World Bank’s (WB) investment arm —- to revise its performance standards in its investments in private sector lending in developing countries in Manila.