The Alyansa Tigil Mina Blog

On September 2, 2006 (two months after the First Assembly SAM on July 2, 2006) the people of Sibuyan Island united themselves for the first time for a common cause. They have expressed their disagreement on the approved nickel mining in Brgys. Taclobo and España.

At 5:30 in the morning, the bells of Our Lady of Rosary Parish Church in Magdiwang tolled to awaken the people and commence the caravan to San Fernando, Romblon. Jeepneys, tricycles, cars and trucks loaded with hundreds of people from all walks of life were on their way led by Dr. Art Tansiongco, Fr. Tony Festin and Vice Mayor Denisa Repizo. Later, they were joined by the stakeholders from Danao (Cajidiocan) with Fr. Rolly Fabul making the contingent a thousand. On their way, the supportive people of the Municipality of Cajidiocan with Mayor Athena Malapitan and Fr. Pershing Faeldog marching on to San Fernando now in thousands. And reaching San Fernando, where a Holy Mass was celebrated, the number reached to 5,000. (more…)

By: Charles Carlisle, Mineweb,
http://www.mineweb.net/mining_finance/996028.htm

05-SEP-06

LONDON (Mineweb.com) –It’s particularly tough being a mining industry executive owadays. Indeed, I suppose it always has been a highly stressful job, but there is an aura to the sector - particularly in metals mining, which keeps people coming back for more. It’s not coincidence that the all-action hero of many of the between-the-wars 20th century English novelist John Buchan’s books was a macho mining engineer - Richard Hannay. You have to be able to think on your feet and be extremely resourceful to survive in this industry of ours.

It is easy to criticise mining executives from afar, or with the benefits of hindsight when things go wrong. However the investor and employee should have sympathy with the problems faced, and handled, by management on a day-to-day basis, without which the industry would grind to a halt. As in all business, wrong decisions are made sometimes. Mining is a risk business, but with the potential of above-average returns. If you don’t want risk in your life, don’t invest in mining. (more…)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/sep06/busi3.htm

The Chamber of the Commerce and Industry Foundation (CCPF) yesterday asked for the continued protection of the petrochemical and mining industries under bilateral free trade agreements.

In a press conference, CCPF president Melito S. Salazar Jr. said the Philippines needs the FTAs but it must take care that industries needing protection be protected.

He said the country needs the FTAs to share in tariff concessions that competitor countries are enjoying. (more…)

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/sept/06/yehey/prov/20060906pro5.html

COMPOSTELA VALLEY: A group of small-scale miners found rich gold veins in the shallow depths in Mount Pyagabangan, which can be reached through an eight-hour walk eastward from New Bataan, Compostela Valley.

Mount Pyagabangan is part of the mountain range of nearby Mount Manurigao.
Starting-up tunnel financier Sergio de la Cruz (his real name was not disclosed for security reasons), claimed the mountain “is really rich with high-grade gold veins that can be found in shallow tunnel diggings.”

Earlier, a member of another small-scale mining group said they “scored” about 30 milligrams of gold from a pitcher of gold muck ores from their initial diggings.

A milligram of gold fetches about P500 among New Bataan gold buyers. (more…)

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200609069905.htm
By Ben Serrano
The Philippine Star 09/06/2006

BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte — An advocate of indigenous people’s rights and a Manobo leader himself was gunned down right inside his residence here last Monday afternoon.

The victim, Jovito Pinakiid, 45, killed by three men on board a TMX motorcycle, became the 15th activist slain in the Caraga region and the 35th across Mindanao.

Pinakiid’s gunslaying now adds to the so-called “political killings” which the independent commission headed by former Supreme Court Justice Jose Melo is tasked to probe.

The Melo Commission includes Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos. (more…)

http://mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=823&Itemid=50
Written by Walter I. Balane / MindaNews
Wednesday, 06 September 2006 00 00 00

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/5 Sep) — The Philippine government should be a regulator and protector of the welfare of its people, not a promoter of mining operations in the country, an official of an international human rights group said.

Geoff Nettleton, coordinator of the Philippine Indigenous People Links, said in a forum on mining here today that the Philippines should stop promoting mining to international investors because it is not yet capable of “effectively” regulating the mining industry.

“If the national government could not do its work and protect Filipinos from abuses of mining operations, who will?” he asked.

Nettleton cited the government’s efforts to lure foreign investors to go into the mining industry here. In his presentation, he said among the local boosts to mining is the Mining Act of 1995 and the National Minerals Policy shown in the country’s mining action plan. (more…)