The Alyansa Tigil Mina Blog

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2006/07/03/groups.picket.mining.firm.in.compostela.html

DAVAO CITY — Several farmers, tribesmen, and members of cause-oriented groups held a protest rally at a mining firm in New Bataan, Compostela Valley Friday to express their sentiment against mining operations in the area.

The protesters led by Nelson Bertulfo of the New Bataan Farmers Association and Fernando Sarmiento of Access/Panalipdan Mindanao are demanding the cancellation of the exploration permits issued to the Philippine Mining Corporation (Philco) for their operation in the area.
The protesters also demanded the scrapping of the Mining Act of 1995, respecting the rights of the indigenous people, defending national sovereignty, and stopping the militarization in the area.

The group also protested the filing of criminal charges against 27 native farmers accused by a mining firm of “mineral theft.”

They claimed it was preposterous for the tribal people to be accused of such when they were the first ones to utilize the place through small-scale mining and farming. (more…)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2006/07/03/bus/mining.firm.spends.p462t.for.social.dev.t.projects.html

THE management of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation (LCMC) has shelled out more than P462,000 for the social development projects benefiting its host communities.

The amount covers the assistance extended to various communities during the first quarter of this year. This was appropriated from the P91,448,286 direct milling and mining cost (DMMC) generated by the company for the first three months of 2005.
The P462,664.36 spent for LCMC’s social development and management program represents 0.51 percent of the company’s DMMC. (more…)

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200606309906.html

By Katherine Adraneda
The Philippine Star 06/30/2006

Former Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Heherson Alvarez pushed yesterday for a “win-win” solution in the gold-rush site at Mt. Diwalwal in Compostela Valley, saying the recent Supreme Court ruling on mining operations there is an “acid test” for the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (Republic Act 7942).

In a statement, Alvarez said a provision in the Mining Act outlining the government’s “priority rights” over lands with vast natural resources, was never tested before until President Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 297 on Nov. 25, 2002 declaring the disputed Diwalwal gold-rush site a mineral reservation area.

“It was the first time the State exercised its powers to take over a mining operation which was never done before,” he said. (more…)

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/july/03/yehey/business/20060703bus12.html

ATLAS Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. expects to resume copper production in the first quarter of next year, according to a company official.

”We’re trying to get started the operation. Once we have started that, then we’ll think about expansion. It should be starting this year, but the first copper may come out in the first quarter next year,” said Alfredo Ramos.

Atlas recently disclosed that it has secured an environmental compliance certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for its Berong nickel project in Palawan.
The company said it plans to develop the project initially as a direct shipping operation to ship “unprocessed high grade saprolite ore to international nickel smelters and unprocessed limonite to regional acid leach, ammonia leach and blast furnace plants. (more…)

By Dan Mariano
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/july/03/yehey/opinion/20060703opi2.html

THE questionable practices of Lafayette Mines in Rapu-Rapu have sparked controversy in the Philippines, but they have also begun to draw public attention in the mining company’s home country.

Oxfam Australia (see background below) has described Lafayatte’s practices as “irresponsible.” The charity organization, which is linked to a highly influential global network, has even called on the Australian government to require Australian companies operating overseas—like Lafayette—to adopt safety and environmental standards that they are compelled to observe in their own country.

In a recent statement forwarded to this column by Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Penny Gorman, acting executive director of Oxfam Australia, said: “Australian companies ought to adopt, as a minimum, Australian environmental and international human-rights standards in all their operations.” (more…)

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV2006070368337.html

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The office of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in the Cordillera is conducting an investigation of a telecommunications company for allegedly disregarding laws as regards their construction of their communication tower in an ancestral area in the region.

This developed after officials of the NCIP here gave credence to the complaint by a member of a cultural community against Smart Telecommunications. (more…)

http://business.inq7.net/money/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=7795
By Elizabeth L. Sanchez
Inquirer
Published on Page B4 of the July 3, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

CARMEN COPPER CORP., a subsidiary of mining giant Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp., is keen on a possible public listing next year on either the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada or the London Stock Exchange, Atlas chair Alfredo Ramos said.
Ramos stressed that a decision on the planned listing has yet to be finalized. Carmen Copper carries Atlas’ copper mining-related assets in Toledo, Cebu. (more…)

http://www.bulatlat.com/news/6-21/6-21-un.htm

The United Nations Human Rights Council has finally adopted the texts of a declaration on indigenous peoples’ rights, which has been under debate at the UN for the past 11 years. The Philippines was not among the signatories to the historic document.

BY MAURICE MALANES AND ACE ALEGRE
Northern Dispatch
Posted by Bulatlat (more…)

June 29, 2006

http://www.theage.com.au/news/Business/Royalco-royalties-to-fund-exploration/2006/06/29/1151174312075.html

New explorer Royalco Resources is using the unusual method of royalties to
fund its exploration campaigns, after staging a positive debut on the
Australian Stock Exchange.

Royalco plans to fund exploration of its mineral projects using income
from royalty interests in advanced development projects.

The company raised over $12 million to kick-start its exploration
plans, issuing shares at 50 cents in the initial public offering.

Shares opened at 59.5 cents and closed at 56 cents after more than 2.2
million shares were traded. (more…)