The Alyansa Tigil Mina Blog

See our Sites of Struggle page for a link to stories from Canatuan relating to the horrible practices of the TVI mining company.

http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS2006070668596.html

Canadian-based TVI Pacific Group of Companies is investing $ 23 million to expand its existing gold and silver mining exploration into the recovery of copper deposits in the same mining site in Canatuan in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

John B. Ridsdel, country manager of TVI Resource Development Phils., Inc., a local affiliate of TVI Pacific, told reporters at the mining briefing by the Australian-New Zealand and Canadian Chambers of Commerce that the final feasibility study for the expansion of the Canatuan Sulphide project has been approved by TVI.

Although the management has yet to give its final seal of approval to the expansion project, they are now proceeding with the project details. The study was conducted by Norwest Corporation, a specialized consulting company providing services to the mining and energy industries. (more…)

http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS2006070668593.html
By MELODY M. AGUIBA

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Angelo T. Reyes has restored Horacio C. Ramos as director of the DENR-attached Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in a continuing thrust to strengthen the mining industry.

Effective last July 1, Ramos’s appointment is believed to reinforce the vision of Reyes to intensify enforcement of mining laws which is needed now that government’s 24 priority mining projects are seen to begin operating within the next five years or up to 2010.

Reyes, a former defense secretary, declared earlier his thrust to enforce mining and environment laws. He vowed to implement changes needed to reform government’s mining policies under what he calls a “Mining Authority” that must be established, apparently prompted by the Rapu Rapu cyanide spill. (more…)

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=8331
Inquirer

MALOLOS CITY—The Bulacan provincial government Tuesday said it was issuing mining permits but that it was not irregular, but a power vested on it by the Local Government Code.
In a statement, provincial administrator Ma. Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita said the authority to issue permits and licenses was provided for by the Local Government Code and the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

“The authority to issue permits and licenses to small-scale miners is a devolved function to the local government units. However, the issuance of the permit is scrutinized and deliberated on by the members of the provincial mining and regulatory board (PMRB),” Sta. Rita said.
She said the governor only approves the issuance of a permit and license upon the endorsement of the PMRB in accordance with the merits of the requirements submitted by applicants.

“The law authorizes the governor to follow this mandate,” she said.
On Monday, a labor group urged the filing of usurpation of authority charges against De la Cruz for issuing mining permits in Bulacan’s quarry sites. With a report from Carmela Reyes, PDI Central Luzon Desk

http://globalnation.inq7.net/cebudailynews/news/view_article.php?article_id=8227
By Jhunnex Napallacan
Cebu Daily News

The town of Dalaguete has joined the Ibalong Resources Development Corp. in petitioning the Department of Energy (DOE) to reopen the company’s coal mine in Barangay Dumalan.
Mayor Ronald Alan Cesante said Tuesday he asked Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla not to revoke Ibalong’s mining permits because closing down the mine would deprive over 100 residents of work.

Cesante, however, said the mine should be subject to strict safety measures when it is reopened.

The mine was the site of an explosion on December 10, 2005 that killed eight miners and injured several others.

Investigators blamed the explosion on the buildup of methane gas inside the mine due to poor ventilation.

The mine has not operated since the incident.

Cesante asked Lotilla in a letter to consider the stand of the town, since the economy and the welfare of its residents would be at stake if the mine ceased operating. (more…)

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=8330
By Cristina Arzadon
Inquirer

LAOAG CITY—New mining operators are working on their application to extract minerals in the feldspar-rich town of Burgos, Ilocos Norte, town officials said.

Burgos Councilor Joejie Jimenez said two operators have filed their applications with the mayor’s office to extract minerals in the villages of Agaga and Tanap, where feldspar and silica are abundant.

Feldspar is a mineral used in the manufacture of porcelain and glass while silica is used in the manufacture of cement, bricks, glass and other construction materials.

The application papers are pending at the mayor’s office due to the absence of requirements needed in the issuance of a permit to operate, Jimenez said.

“The Burgos council has not yet issued its concurrence [to the application] because the operators failed to submit certifications that the communities [where the mining site will be put up] were in favor of the mining operation,” he said.

Mayor Benjamin Campañano earlier called for the cancellation of a mining permit issued to the Northern Mining Integrated Inc. due to massive siltation that the company caused in a creek in the town and a river in the nearby town of Bangui. (more…)

By Lawrence Agcaoili, Manila Standard -
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business01_july05_2006

5th July 2006

The government has made an offer to Chinese investors interested in investing as much as $1 billion to reopen the mothballed nickel mine of Philippine Nickel Corp. in Nonoc Island, Surigao del Norte.

Finance Secretary Margarito Teves told reporters that Manila forwarded a proposal to Jinchuan Nonferrous Metals Corp. and Shanghai Baosteel Group Corp. during a visit of company officials late last month.

“We made them an offer and the ball is in their court,” Teves said. Details of the offer were not disclosed.

Teves said the government presented feasibility and financial viability studies to the two Chinese companies. (more…)

PIA Press Release, by Jovy Samson -
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060704.htm&no=43

4th July 2006

Isulan, SK (4 July) — Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax S. Mangudadatu seeks nationals’ intervention on major environmental concerns that directly affect the province as one of the country’s food-basket.

Recently at the tourist island of Bohol, where the 10th General Assembly meeting of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) was held, the first Sultan Kudarat Muslim Governor appeals support from DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes through LPP on the protection and development of the Kabulnan River Watershed Forest Reserve, the immediate cancellation of Sagittarius or Western Mining Corporation mining permit and the impartial investigation of the multi Indigenous People (IP) complaints against IFMA concession in Sultan Kudarat.

Gov. Datu Pax Mangudadatu told DENR Secretary Reyes that 116, 000 plus hectares Kabulnan River Watershed Forest Reserve, despite of its presidential Proclamation 241, remains denuded and if continuously neglected will certainly affect the supply of water for irrigation primarily tapped for 13, 000 hectares service area of the Kabulnan River Irrigation
System.

Gov. Mangudadatu said that the second largest watershed in Mindanao shall be urgently rehabilitated to help sustain the province and eventually the nation’s food supply. This calls for forestry and environmental funds to be poured to watershed’s development and management in the province. (more…)