Benguet Corp.: Zambales Mayor's allegation baseless
BENGUET CORPORATION yesterday reacted to the irresponsible report that its mining operation in Zambales is causing environmental destruction.
The mayor of Sta. Cruz, Zambales was quoted in a national newspaper last April 2 appealing to the government to stop the mining project. The company holds an approved Mineral Production Sharing Agreement over 1,400 hectares of nickel property in Barangay Guisguis, Zambales.
BC, in a statement, clarified that its project complies with mining laws and environmental regulations. While continuing to conduct exploration activities such as drilling and test pits, it has already filed a partial declaration of mining feasibility and secured an Environmental Compliance Certificate over a 20-hectare portion of the MPSA area, which it proposed to initially mine. It has not yet started production because it is still waiting the other permits. The company is in fact proceeding cautiously to avoid any violations of DENR rules.
A team from the Mines & Geosciences Bureau went to Sta. Cruz to investigate the complaint filed by Barangay Captain Merced of Lomboy but found it later as baseless.
Ongoing works by BC inside the MPSA are confined to road construction which is covered by Road Right-of-Way permit issued by the DENR and, slope stabilization and construction of silt ponds as part of pollution control measures to prevent erosion and siltation in the lower areas. In the regular course of earth moving activities, incidental ore were recovered which the company has gathered into a few ore stockpile for metallurgical testing. However, as confirmed by the MGB investigators, no actual mining of ore has yet been done by BC.
The MGB team was also told that the large excavation in Area 1 of the MPSA, which used to be forested, was due to the illegal mining done by A3 UNA.
Last year, BC had to bring in a composite PNP and MGB group to forcefully remove A3 UNA from its claim. But A3 UNA was able to continue its illegal mining in other areas adjacent to the MPSA of BC because it was enjoying the support and protection of some local officials in Sta. Cruz. The hauling trucks of A3 UNA that are transporting illegally mined ore from various sources to its port in Barangay Bolitoc were the ones causing dust, pollution and other road hazards on the barangay roads.
The company said it is strange that the Mayor of Sta. Cruz is accusing BC of environmental damage when illegal mining by small scale miners such as A3 UNA is rampant in his town. These illegal miners are operating without ECC and violating the small scale mining law through over extraction of minerals and use of heavy equipment.
Several big mining companies, including BC, whose MPSA were encroached by A3 UNA complained of illegal mining to Environment Secretary Lito Atienza who issued a cease and desist order against the company and ordered the confiscation of the stolen ore. Journal online
The mayor of Sta. Cruz, Zambales was quoted in a national newspaper last April 2 appealing to the government to stop the mining project. The company holds an approved Mineral Production Sharing Agreement over 1,400 hectares of nickel property in Barangay Guisguis, Zambales.
BC, in a statement, clarified that its project complies with mining laws and environmental regulations. While continuing to conduct exploration activities such as drilling and test pits, it has already filed a partial declaration of mining feasibility and secured an Environmental Compliance Certificate over a 20-hectare portion of the MPSA area, which it proposed to initially mine. It has not yet started production because it is still waiting the other permits. The company is in fact proceeding cautiously to avoid any violations of DENR rules.
A team from the Mines & Geosciences Bureau went to Sta. Cruz to investigate the complaint filed by Barangay Captain Merced of Lomboy but found it later as baseless.
Ongoing works by BC inside the MPSA are confined to road construction which is covered by Road Right-of-Way permit issued by the DENR and, slope stabilization and construction of silt ponds as part of pollution control measures to prevent erosion and siltation in the lower areas. In the regular course of earth moving activities, incidental ore were recovered which the company has gathered into a few ore stockpile for metallurgical testing. However, as confirmed by the MGB investigators, no actual mining of ore has yet been done by BC.
The MGB team was also told that the large excavation in Area 1 of the MPSA, which used to be forested, was due to the illegal mining done by A3 UNA.
Last year, BC had to bring in a composite PNP and MGB group to forcefully remove A3 UNA from its claim. But A3 UNA was able to continue its illegal mining in other areas adjacent to the MPSA of BC because it was enjoying the support and protection of some local officials in Sta. Cruz. The hauling trucks of A3 UNA that are transporting illegally mined ore from various sources to its port in Barangay Bolitoc were the ones causing dust, pollution and other road hazards on the barangay roads.
The company said it is strange that the Mayor of Sta. Cruz is accusing BC of environmental damage when illegal mining by small scale miners such as A3 UNA is rampant in his town. These illegal miners are operating without ECC and violating the small scale mining law through over extraction of minerals and use of heavy equipment.
Several big mining companies, including BC, whose MPSA were encroached by A3 UNA complained of illegal mining to Environment Secretary Lito Atienza who issued a cease and desist order against the company and ordered the confiscation of the stolen ore. Journal online
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
6:16 AM
1 Comments:
Mayor Marty of Sta. Cruz give permit A3 UNA and operate in 1 year before stop by DENR. But he already get share from that illegal mining from A3 UNA. He got more that a million money now from that illegal mining.
The front of Mayor Marty for that dock was fishport before and turn out into mining dock.
The corrupt Marty Buy lot in small amount per square meter to residence of Bolitoc,Sta.Cruz Zambales and sell to mining firm triple the prize of the lot. Big money of Marty.
By
Anonymous, at 5/23/2008 8:59 PM
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