Benguet parries Pimentel charge on illegal mining in Subic
Benguet Corp. yesterday denied the allegation that its extraction of l50,000 metric tons of nickel ores in Sta. Cruz, Zambales, and their shipment to China were illegal and not covered by government permits.
Marcelo Bolano, Benguet senior vice president for mining and technical services, said the company’s mining operations in the area are covered by an environmental compliance certificate and mineral production sharing agreement issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
But Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. who called attention to Benguet’s alleged non-compliance with requirements, advised the corporation to sit down with Sta. Cruz Mayor Luis Marty, the mayors of Masinloc and Candelaria, Zambales, and the concerned citizens of these towns where it operates a mining concession.
The mayors of the three towns complained about the alleged illegal extraction and shipment of nickel ores by Benguet, Pimentel said.
Pimentel said documents furnished to him by Benguet showed that its mining project in Sta. Cruz was covered by an ECC issued Aug. l, 2007 by the Environment Department and by a transport permit dated May 2 by the Bureau of Mines and Geological Sciences.
But he said “the documents did not include the permit from the mayor.” Benguet countered that it had long submitted an application for business/mayor’s permit. But it said the mayor has refused to act on the application for vague reasons, prompting the mining firm to sue the mayor.
Pimentel said the dispute would only be exacerbated if the two sides will merely swap accusations in the media or seek the intervention of the courts. “Perhaps, Benguet officials should seriously discuss these issues with the local officials so that their mining operations in the three towns could be done in full compliance with the law.” By Fel V. Maragay - Manila Standard Today
Marcelo Bolano, Benguet senior vice president for mining and technical services, said the company’s mining operations in the area are covered by an environmental compliance certificate and mineral production sharing agreement issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
But Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. who called attention to Benguet’s alleged non-compliance with requirements, advised the corporation to sit down with Sta. Cruz Mayor Luis Marty, the mayors of Masinloc and Candelaria, Zambales, and the concerned citizens of these towns where it operates a mining concession.
The mayors of the three towns complained about the alleged illegal extraction and shipment of nickel ores by Benguet, Pimentel said.
Pimentel said documents furnished to him by Benguet showed that its mining project in Sta. Cruz was covered by an ECC issued Aug. l, 2007 by the Environment Department and by a transport permit dated May 2 by the Bureau of Mines and Geological Sciences.
But he said “the documents did not include the permit from the mayor.” Benguet countered that it had long submitted an application for business/mayor’s permit. But it said the mayor has refused to act on the application for vague reasons, prompting the mining firm to sue the mayor.
Pimentel said the dispute would only be exacerbated if the two sides will merely swap accusations in the media or seek the intervention of the courts. “Perhaps, Benguet officials should seriously discuss these issues with the local officials so that their mining operations in the three towns could be done in full compliance with the law.” By Fel V. Maragay - Manila Standard Today
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
10:49 AM
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