Content about mining

MANILA, Dec. 16, 2011—Three Mindanao bishops called on the government to protect and promote the interest of the people and not of mining companies.

Kidapawan Bishop Romulo dela Cruz, Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Guetierrez and Digos Bishop Guillermo Afable, in a collective statement, urged for protection of the environment and promote sustainable development.

The prelates reiterated their opposition to the Tampakan Copper and Gold Project of London based XSTRATA/SMI, which has a $5.6 B worth of mining investment in the country.

DAET, Camarines Norte (Nov. 27, 2011) – A Team of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Environmental Management Bureau (DENR - EMB) served Friday (Nov. 25) a Cease and Desist Order to three of the six mining firms in Paracale town in this province.

 The DENR-EMB  action is in response to a complaint filed by a fishermen organization, “Samahang Mangingisda ng Paracale,” that Mercury poisoning has contaminated the town’s fishing lanes and two major rivers.

NAGA CITY (Aug. 27, 2011) - The owner of a mining firm that is allegedly operating illegally in the town of Lagonoy, Camarines shall face charges in court after a ton of explosives was confiscated in his possession.

According to Provincial Police Director Procopio Lipana, the Police Office of Lagonoy under Police Inspector Ariel Blanco is evaluating the case to determine what specific charges shall be slapped on Manuel Lee, owner of Prime Rock Mining corporation, and his companions who are Chinese nationals.

RAWIS, Legazpi City (July 5, 2011) – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje promised to protect legitimate mining industry players in this region by strict implementation of the “use it or lose it” policy.

In a statement issued by Paje to the DENR regional office here, he said that President Aquino has ordered to cleanse the mining industry of all non-compliant projects.

Lagonoy, Camarines Sur April 25, 2011 - Lagonoy Mayor Delfin Pilapil, Jr. vows to investigate the alleged continued mining operation at Barangay Himagtocon by the Benguet-based Prime Rock Mining Corporation despite the cease and desist order issued to the mining firm by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

February 2, 2011, MATNOG, Sorsogon - Relating Sorsogon's mining and ecological issues to the advocacy of a slain broadcaster, ABS-CBN Foundation's Dr. Gerry Ortega, hundreds of people lighted candles to seek environmental justice and enlightenment joining thousands of people gathered in Palawan and Quezon City in a simultaneous prayer service after a symposium on Mining, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction conducted by Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM).

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 28 2011  – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office here is conducting investigations on the circumstances behind the death two weeks ago of a Chinese national in a reported accident at a mining site in Lagonoy, Camarines Sur.

DOLE regional director Alvin Villamor on Friday said their investigations will focus on the health and safety aspects of the mining operations.

MANILA, Jan. 18, 2011—Echoing the call of some Church officials for a total log ban, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD said he also wants a total mining ban implemented to halt the environmental destruction happening in the country.

“I am not only in favor of total log ban but [also] a total mining ban to preserve the environment,” he said.

In an interview over Radio Veritas, the 66-year old prelate expressed worry on the effect of heavy rains on residences in low-lying areas where floods and landslides have occurred the past few days.

CALABANGA, Camarines Sur, Nov. 24  – It may be an uphill battle but local leaders opposed to the proposed offshore magnetite exploration at the marine life-rich San Miguel Bay are standing their ground.

They fear massive environmental degradation and economic dislocation of thousands of fisher folk around the bay should the mining operations push through.

The mining would be initiated by Bogo Resources and Mining Corporation (BRMC), a Filipino-Korean firm.