The Alyansa Tigil Mina Blog

Ambassador Peter Sutherland
Canadian Embassy, Manila
Level 8, Tower 2
RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue
Makati City, Philippines

Dear Ambassador

I am writing to express my concern and dismay at recent events in Canatuan, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines.

I am gravely concerned by reports that TVI Pacific’s security forces have been involved in the forced relocation of a family of Canatuan residents in order to expand their gold mine at Canatuan, which led to destruction of a local property and four people being seriously injured.

We write to urge you to act with speed to intervene and urge the company to stay its hand and restrain its local representatives and paramilitaries to avoid any further forced relocation, intimidation or violence.

The root of the continuing problem surrounding the presence of TVI in Siocon is that many local people who oppose the development of the mine, and specifically the presence of TVI, feel that their rights and wishes are not being respected.

TVI claims that they have secured widespread local support. There is, however, much evidence to the contrary. The Mayor and municipal council of Siocon are on record as opposing the plans of TVI, as are the vast majority of Barangay officials within the municipality legitimate Indigenous leader and holder of the legal Ancestral Domain is still has maintained his opposition consistently for ten years. Recent divisions in the community nearest the proposed mine caused by the presence of the mining company have not altered the opposition among local Subanon people who are now resisting resettlement.

Philippine law rightly requires that any and all new mining ventures secure local acceptance and, in cases where Indigenous Populations are affected, the Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) of the affected ancestral landholders is required. This FPIC is, according to the law to be determined through indigenous decision-making processes. These latest incidents appear to show that local people will continue to insist on their right to a say in the future of their community, especially one that could have such adverse effects on so many of their livelihoods.

This seems to be a serious breech of the UN Convention on Human Rights which I have attached . We were shocked to see that un like most Developed Countries Canada voted against this Convention and the Philippines abstained. In spite of its vote Canada must stop its companies from contributing to human rights abuses and environmental damage. The World Bank Extractive Review was very clear on the damage being caused by Extractive Industries such as mining and oil and gas. It is vital that they change they way in which they operate. No one has a right to make a profit at the expense of the poor or the environment.

We therefore appeal to you to act with speed to protect the community and use the powers and influence of your office to bring about:-

· An immediate and permanent halt to any and all forced relocation

· The withdrawal of the company’s armed personnel from the area before there are any more acts of violence or further destruction of property;

· Full respect for the wishes of the traditional land holders, namely that the mine be halted as an abuse of a sacred site, its severe damage to the environment and the destruction of the subsistence livelihoods of the local Indigenous Peoples.

· Respect for the legitimate rights of all local residents, including their right to live in peace and right to a livelihood

Yours sincerly,

Clive Montgomery Wicks
Conservation and Development Consultant
Member of CEESP
(IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy)
Co-Chair of SEAPRISE-(CEESP Working Group on
Social and Environmental Accountability of the Private Sector)
Hares Holt
Orestan Lane
Effingham
Surrey

http://www.tribune.net.ph/business/20060721bus9.html
07/21/2006

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary (DENR) Angelo Reyes is scheduled to visit Barangay Didipio in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya to look into the illegal small-scale mining operation in the area, which is endangering the lives of its residents, especially those directly exposed to mercury-contaminated water in the Didipio River.

Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma who made the invitation to Reyes, said the secretary “will see for himself the mining operation’s adverse consequences on the people and the environment.”

The illegal mining operation, she said, “is not only threatening the health of our resident but also our rivers and forests.” (more…)

http://www.tribune.net.ph/business/20060721bus5.html
07/21/2006

Mining firm Benguet Corp. is looking to set up special purpose vehicles (SPVs) to raise funds for its water and mining projects.

In an interview with reporters, Benguet president Benjamin Philip Romualdez said the SPVs can raise money through public listing, debt issues and strategic partnerships with potential investors.

“The company has a high value basket of mining properties containing various metals including gold, copper, nickel and chromite,” he said. “The plan to create SPVs is still under study. I can’t give a timetable at this point.” (more…)

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=10912
By Jofelle Tesorio
Inquirer

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—Residents of Narra, Palawan have complained of the continued operation of illegal large-scale mining companies in their area, which they blame for the destruction of their environment and the decline in palay production.

Through the newly formed multi-sector environment group, Kilusang Laban sa Mina sa Narra (KLMN), they denounced the government’s inaction on illegal mining operations, particularly that of Platinum Group Metals Corp. (PGMC).

The KLMN said farmers had been constantly complaining of the low yield of their farms ever since PGMC started mining operations in the area. (more…)

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/july/21/yehey/business/20060721bus8.html

PUBLICLY listed mining firm Benguet Corp. mulls over a number of special purpose vehicles it may create to get more funds for its mining projects.

Benjamin Philip Romualdez, Benguet president and chief executive officer, said the drafting of the Philippine Minerals Reporting Code (PMRC), an independent mining evaluation reporting system on exploration and development, is seen to encourage listed companies to create special-purpose vehicles (SPVs) for capital raising.

“It’s easy to raise capital once you know what you’re going to raise it for. Listed mining companies are looking at the possibility of creating special purpose vehicles, for individual projects to raise capital to get those projects moving. The JORC [Joint Ore Reporting Code] would be beneficial for companies like Benguet,” he said. (more…)

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200607200705.htm
By Rocel C. Felix
The Philippine Star 07/20/2006

Rapu-Rapu Processing Inc. (RRPI), the local subsidiary of Australian mining company Lafayette Mining Ltd., is set to ask the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to allow the resumption of normal operations of the company’s polymetallic mine and processing facility in Albay.

The company successfully completed last week the first phase of a 30-day test run for its base metals plant. The test run was allowed after RRPI satisfied all conditions set by the DENR.

“Upon successful completion of the last stage of the test run, RRPI intends to apply for a permanent lifting order enabling it to commence normal operation,” Lafayette said in a disclosure to the Australian Stock Exchange yesterday. (more…)