The Alyansa Tigil Mina Blog

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060718.htm&no=43
07/18/2006

Lafayette 30-day trial run on, monitoring team formed

LEGAZPI CITY (18 July) — Lafayette Philippines started last on Monday, July 10, its 30-day trial run to test the sufficiency and adequacy of remedial measures and environmental safeguards it has instituted and installed at its mining project in Rapu-Rapu, Albay following the tailings spills in October last year.

The test run coincides with the Order dated July 9, 2006 issued by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Angelo T. Reyes who ordered a go-signal to the test run during his visit to the mine site on July 7.

The July 9 Order took cognizance of Lafayette compliance to stringent pre-conditions set in the DENR Secretary’s earlier Temporary Lifting Order (TLO) issued on June 13, 2006.

It will be recalled that the June 13, TLO set the following pre-conditions among others: (1) For Lafayette to pay the P10.4 million initial fines before the test run; (2) Extend the validity of Lafayette surety bond; (3) Completion of environmental safeguards and instrumentation; (4) Collect baseline data on mercury, pH, AMD and other heavy metals to determine impact of mining operation; (5) Submit schedule of dam build-up; (6) Secure Waste Water Discharge Use of Cyanide and Milling Operation Permits from the DENR; (7) Execution of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Rapu-Rapu Processing Inc. (RRPi) and Rapu-Rapu Minerals Incorporated (RRMI) identifying their responsibilities and accountabilities; and (8) Conduct of 3-stage test run each stage with strict pre-conditions that must be completed.

The success of the test run may warrant the permanent lifting of Lafayette’s suspension by the DENR.

A Technical Working Group (TWG) composed of technical personnel from the Bicol Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-5), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-5), and complemented by technical personnel from MGB Central Office was formed to monitor the test run on a 24-hour basis to determine Lafayette compliance. (MGB/PIA) [top]

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=44668

LEGAZPI CITY - While most of the prelates, clergies and civic organizations in Bicol are strongly opposed to the 30-day test run of the Rapu-Rapu mining operation of Lafayette Philippines, Inc., Bishop Jesus Varela, bishop emeritus of Sorsogon, said the new Filipino management must be given a chance to conduct responsible mining.

Varela, who served as prelate in Sorsogon for 18 years, visited the mining site in Rapu-Rapu on Saturday to check if the risks of mining on the island town could be avoided and substantially mitigated. (more…)

http://business.inq7.net/money/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=10546
Inquirer
0719/2006

GOLD producer Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. announced Tuesday that its board had approved a one-for-eight stock rights offer that it said could generate P639 million.

The company had a one-for-five rights issue in October in which it raised P850 million. It said it used the proceeds to retire debts, pay back shareholder advances and cover utilities-related costs.

In the new offer, subject to regulatory approval, shareholders could subscribe one common share for every eight shares they hold. The company said the offer period might start Sept. 11 and the record date might be Aug. 16. (more…)

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200607190710.htm
By Rocel C. Felix
The Philippine Star 07/19/2006

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is targeting mining investments of about $122 million for 2006.

“So far, about $47.91 million has been added to actual investments for the year bringing the total to $494.57 million since 2005. If we are to include the $80-million Didipio copper-gold project, we will be able to achieve our target for the year,” said MGB Director Horacio Ramos.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) just recently approved the feasibility study on the Didipio Copper-Gold project in Nueva Vizcaya-Quirino provinces where construction is scheduled to begin before the end of the year. (more…)

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200607199903.htm
By Katherine Adraneda
The Philippine Star 07/19/2006

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has backtracked on its earlier position and recognized the authority of local government units (LGUs) to issue quarry permits to small-scale miners.

However, it clarified that this only applies to quarry applications for areas of five hectares and below and outside mineral reservations and watersheds.

Although Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) director Horacio Ramos agreed that such an authority of LGUs is mandated under the Local Government Code, he said Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes made the correct move when he cancelled the quarry permits issued by the Bulacan provincial government. (more…)

Press Release - Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM)
July 14th 2006

Jakarta. The peaceful protest against Toka Tindung Mine Project (Archipelago Res., Australia) participated by 3,000 people from two regencies in North Sulawesi, the Bitung city and North Minahasa Regency, led to brutal attack by group known as Alliance Pro Investor (AMPI). The group, suspected having close relationship with the company’s Indonesia subsidiary PT Meares Soputan Mining (MSM), thrown rocks to protesters on their way home in Thursday night (13/7). In total 54 people reported injured, 7 were seriously wounded in heads and eyes from iron and nailed-wood stick beating. A pregnant woman fainted after kicked by the some men.

Police has so far detained Jorry Lomboan (leader of AMPI) and his colleagues suspected as attackers. This group had previously expressed their support of mining investment entering the province. While, thousands of fishermen, tourism workers, and fish canning factory labors stand against mining project whose plan to dump toxic waste into the sea of Rinondoran. Those opposed to the Submarine Tailings Disposal method proposed by Archipelago Res. united in local organization namely AMMALTA (Community Alliance against Mine Waste). (more…)

By: Dorothy Kosich, Mineweb
14-JUL-06

RENO–(Mineweb.com) Environmental NGOs have organized a letter-writing campaign, critical of the World Gold Council’s decision to accept Idaho-based gold and silver miner Coeur d’Alene Mines for membership of the organization.

Coeur Vice President Scott Lamb said Thursday that the letter writers are apparently “misguided” or “misinformed” regarding Coeur’s plan to dispose of Kensington Mine tailings into Lower Slate Lake, an Alaskan freshwater lake. (more…)

Thursday, July 13, 2006
http://www.accra-mail.com/mailnews.asp?id=17340

A consortium of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have expressed deep concern about the negative effects of the operations of multinational mining companies and has pledged to support the struggles of local communities to assert their human rights.

The OECD Watch (a network of over 50 NGOs from 30 countries working to demand corporate accountability on OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises) has expertise in environment, labour and human rights. (more…)

http://www.northernminer.com/article.asp?id=57967&issue=07072006&ref=rss
7th July 2006

Vancouver — The Deputy Chamber of the province of Chubut, Argentina, has approved legislation prohibiting all metal mining activity in certain portions of the province for three years. While the Governor of the province has yet to ratify the legislation, companies with projects in the affected regions expect the decision shortly and are evaluating options should the law be enacted.

Opposition to mining in Chubut province is widespread and reached a flashpoint in 2003, when Meridian Gold (MNG-T, MDG-N) was forced to suspend exploration at its advanced Esquel gold project. The company retained a social consulting firm to help with community consultations, but the lack of progress led to a write-down of the property in late 2005. Esquel hosts proven and probable reserves of 7.5 million tonnes averaging 9.7 grams gold and 16 grams silver per tonne, containing 2.3 million oz. gold and 3.7 million oz. silver. (more…)

By Clement Boateng, Tarkwa, Ghanaian Chronicle (Accra) - http://allafrica.com/stories/200607101206.html
July 10, 2006

Participants at a three-day sensitization workshop on gender dimensions of mining impacts have observed that women were the most affected people whenever mining companies deprived the communities of their livelihoods.

This is because aside the compensation paid for physical property destroyed, other social, natural, human and financial assets that the mining activities destroy, which are always ignored have more relevance to women. (more…)