DMCI to operate Benguet-Zambales nickel mine

DMCI MINING CORP., a subsidiary of listed Semirara Mining Corp., has signed a deal with Benguet Corp. for mining operations in a nickel mine in Zambales.

This came after the Consunji-led DMCI Mining suspended nickel and ore mining activities in the province last July largely due to the prevailing low nickel prices in the world market.

DMCI Mining will explore and develop selected areas of Benguet’s 1,406-hectare Sta. Cruz nickel mine, the firm told the Philippine Stock Exchange yesterday.

Under the deal, DMCI Mining will have the rights for the "production and sale of high-grade nickel ore above 2% [grade] of up to 200,000 metric tons of nickel ore per year for three years, extendible upon mutual agreement."

Early this year, Benguet, the country’s oldest miner, shipped two batches of nickel ores for mettalurgical testing to Europe and China.

Given the recovery of metal prices, Benguet said "the offtake agreement assures the company of a ready market for its high-grade nickel product."

Nickel prices for cash buyers yesterday closed at $8.22 per pound (lb.) from the average price of $5.64 and $4.75 per lb. in the second and first quarter, respectively, data from the London Metal Exchange showed.

"Benguet is conducting a feasibility study on tank leaching of middle grade ore and on pelletizing nickel ore in order to add value by processing ore," DMCI Mining said.

Early this month, DMCI Mining sold its 78,318-square- meter port facility in Zambales to Montemina Resources Corp., leaving analysts to speculate that the construction-based conglomerate DMCI Holdings, Inc. might soon exit nickel mining and focus instead on Semirara’s coal mining operations in Antique.

On Tuesday, Benguet created Benguetcorp Nickel Mines, Inc. as part of a plan to spin off its businesses. Creditors are running after the miner, which has yet to repay debts totaling P1.2 billion.

Prices of Benguet Class "A" shares went up yesterday to P10.75 apiece from P10.25 on Tuesday while shares of Semirara dropped to P37.50 from P38 apiece on Wednesday. — Neil Jerome C. Morales - Business World

Zambales nickel processing to start this year

Benguet Corp., the oldest miner in the country, will likely start processing nickel ores this year.

"They have defended their feasibility study. It is a ’pelletizing’ plant to remove moisture from 30% so after processing it will only be 10%," Mr. Horacio C. Ramos, director of the Environment department’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau, told reporters.

Nickel ores from Benguet Corp’s 1,407.5-hectare nickel mine in the municipality of Sta. Cruz in Zambales will be processed in the plant.

The Sta. Cruz mine, which began commercial operations in 2006, has estimated resources of 19.528 million metric tons of ore at 1.36% grade nickel.

The miner cut net losses to P106.734 million in the first semester from P212.098 million last year.

Nickel prices have gone up to about $8 per pound from $6 per early this year. — Neil Jerome C. Morales - business world online

CORDILLERA COORDINATING COUNCIL COMMENDS OLONGAPO RESCUE TEAM

The Cordillera Regional Disaster Coordinating Council, led by Regional Director Olive Luces, expressed their gratitude to Olongapo City for the help that the Rescue Team of the Olongapo City Disaster Management Office (DMO) gave during the search and rescue operation for the miners trapped in a gold mine Benguet.

“We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the Olongapo Rescue Team who exhibited their utmost perseverance and sacrifice during the search and rescue operations in Benguet” said Luces in a letter to Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon.

“The gesture of professionalism led to the rescue of nine trapped miners and retrieval of six miners,” Luces added.

During the government employees’ flag-raising ceremony, Mayor Gordon commended the heroic deeds of the members of the rescue team who joined the search and rescue operation.

“Palakpakan natin sila dahil they were able to save lives. Talagang dapat natin silang ipagmalaki!” said Mayor Gordon.

Meanwhile, the DMO, led by chair Angie Layug, will spearhead measures to ensure the safe and smooth observance of All Souls Day and All Saints Day on November 1 and 2 in the city.

“Make sure walang iinom sa mga sementaryo. Dapat siguraduhin na linisin ang mga dumi na maiiwan at para all year round ay siguraduhin nating mailinis,” said Mayor Gordon.

Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. with the Olongapo Rescue Team who helped rescue trapped miners in a gold mine in Benguet. The Cordillera Disaster Coordinating Council commended the Olongapo Rescue Team for their help in rescuing the miners.

PAO/Don

Benguet Corp. disputes Zambales mayor’s claims

Benguet Corp. (BC) disputed yesterday a report that it is engaged in illegal mining in Sta. Cruz, Zambales.

The company accused Sta. Cruz Mayor Luisito Marty of distortion of facts when he made it appear that the legitimate mining companies in his town are the ones guilty of environmental destruction.

In a statement, the company also said that Marty even twisted the pronouncements of President Arroyo, who visited his town last week to inspect typhoon damages, when she expressed concern about the effects of illegal mining and warned local officials against coddling illegal miners responsible for the siltation which turned portion of the municipal waters red.

The BC’s statement also said:

"Other large-scale mining companies such as DMCI, Rusina, Filipinas, and Eramen have long complained to the DENR of rampant illegal mining in Sta. Cruz.

"Aside from having no environmental clearance, these illegtal mining operators are violating the laws through over extraction of minerals, unregulated mining practices and evasion of taxes.

"One illegal mining operator in particular, A3 UNA Mining Co., has victimized all of the legitimate mining companies by encroaching on and illegally mining in their respective MPSA areas. Despite the complaints of residents and largescale mining companies, A3 UNA was able to operate in the town because of the tolerance and protection of the mayor.

"On Jan. 21, 2008, the DENR ordered the seizure of A3 UNA’s ore stockpile of some 20,000 tons at Balitok pier. This same stockpile was the cause of leaching of the nickel ore to the sea at the height of typhoon "Cosme" due to unstable construction of the pier and stockpile area.

"BC alleged that the harassment of the mayor started when it refused to give in to his illegal demands. Not only did the mayor threatened that the company will not be allowed to operate in Sta. Cruz, but he instigated the filing of trumped-up charges against BC for environmental destruction.

"The complaint was duly investigated by a combined team of MGB, DENR line agencies (PENRO, CENRO and EMB), and the Provincial Task Force on March 31, 2008. The MGB consolidated reports dated April 2, 2008 on the result of the investigation, which was received by the company on May 27, 2008, basically clears BC of the charges and found the complaint to be baseless.

"In fact, there was even findings in the report that it was A3 UNA which is to blame for illegal cutting of trees and other environmental damages.

"Unlike the illegal miners, BC and other large scale mining companies operate within the regulatory ambit of the DENR." Manila Bulletin

Zambales defends small-scale mining vs gov't control

ZAMBALES, Philippines - Zambales province has earned P128 million in revenues from the operations of small-scale mining in a span of 9 months, the provincial governor has bared, as he criticized a bid by the national government to take control of such activities.

Zambales Governor Amor D. Deloso said the revenues came from extraction fees, Ore Transport Permits and other local mining taxes. Unexpectedly, the huge collection did not come from big mining companies such as Benguet Mining Corp. and Dizon Copper Silver Mines Inc.

"How much more revenues we can get if these big companies pay their share to our province?" Mr. Delso asked.

He said he will push for the amendment of the Philippine Mining Act to require the automatic retention of fees and mining taxes to the local government where the mines are extracted.

Mr. Deloso noted that the province has not gained anything from the 75-year operation of the Acoje mines in the town of Sta. Cruz, the more than 50 year-operation of the Coto Mine in Masinloc, and the Benguet and Dizon gold mining operations in the town of San Marcelino.

"Surely, we still need investors," Mr. Deloso told BusinessWorld, admitting that the province cannot enter large-scale mining due to lack of funds.

"But these investors should not just freely haul our minerals and leave us with nothing," Mr. Deloso added.

Mr. Deloso said small-scale mining, which is permitted by the law, should be supported by national government agencies particularly the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

But the department has been critical of small mining operations in Zambales and has recently warned that their operations would soon be halted, he said.

The governor pointed out that laws such as the Local Government Code empower local governments to manage and operate mining projects.

As defined by the law, small-scale mining covers five to 20 hectares, with mining extraction volume of up to 50,000 metric tons per year.

Small-scale mining operators in Zambales have been selling their products such as chromite and nickel to common buyers who then sell them to foreign customers, mostly Chinese.

Small-scale mining has been the source of livelihood of more than 1,000 residents of Zambales, Mr. Deloso said. - Rey Garcia, BusinessWorld

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

Benguet protests mining harassment in Zambales

Benguet Corp. decried harassment tactics employed by Sta. Cruz, Zambales Mayor Luisito Marty after he ordered the confiscation and impounding of several truckloads of nickel ore intended for shipment to Hong Kong.

Marcelo Bolano, Benguet senior vice president for mining and technical services, said the shipments were covered by an official permit issued by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, which the police officers received. He said Marty’s allegations that the shipment were being “smuggled out to unknown destinations” were outright lies.

Bolano said “our truck drivers presented copies of the Environmental Compliance Certificate and Mineral Production Sharing Agreement both issued by the Environment and Natural Resources Department.”

Marty earlier claimed that Benguet had not secured a business permit from the local municipality of Sta. Cruz.

“It is important to note,” said Bolano, “that the Sangguniang Bayan of Sta. Cruz unanimously endorsed our application for a business permit for the approval of the mayor on April 24.”

The Benguet official said the endorsement “became approved de facto if the office of mayor did not act upon it within 10 days.”

“The office of mayor Marty did not act upon the SB endorsement, neither approving nor disapproving it,” said Felipe Floria, Benguet vice president for nickel operations.

“Instead, the municipal treasurer wrote us on May 5, advising of the disapproval of our application by Mayor Marty, 13 days after it was endorsed to his office by the SB,” he added.

“In fact, his continued refusal to act on our application for a business permit prompted us to file an administrative complaint with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Zambales, which had earlier issued a provincial council permit to Benguet through the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board and Task Force Kalikasan, Zambales Province.” Manila Standard Today

P287-M kita naitala ng Benguet Corp. noong 2007

UMAABOT sa P 287 milyon ang ‘net income’ ng Benguet Corporation nitong 2007, kumpara sa naluging P318 M noong 2006 at P270 milyon noong 2005.

Ito ay dahil na rin sa isinagawang reporma ng mga nangangasiwa sa operasyon at pagtanggal sa halaga ng ilang pag-aaring mineral.

Sa karagdagan, ang paglakas ng piso ang naging dahilan ng pagkakaroon ng ‘substantial foreign currency gains’, at maging ang pagbebenta ng ‘chromite sand fines’ ay malaki ang naitulong.

Isinulong din ng Benguet ang iba pang pangunahing proyekto sa minahan ng kumpanya, kung saan ay ikinukunsidera nila na magiging paborable sa kondisyon ng negosyo, ’di-lamang sa Pilipinas, kundi maging sa ibang bansa.

Kasunod ng pagsasama ng pondo mula sa ‘private placement’ ng ‘major stockholders,’ sinimulan ng Benguet noong kalagitnaan ng 2007 ang pagpapa-ayos ng ‘nickel property’ sa Sta. Cruz, Zambales, na inaprubahan ng ‘mineral production sharing agreement’ (MPSA), maging ng pamahalaan at insiyal ng Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC).

Ang Barangay Guisguis, ang siyang ‘host community’ ng proyekto, na sinag-ayunan naman ng Sangguniang Bayan ng munisipa-lidad ng Sta. Cruz at provincial government ng Zambales ang nasabing proyekto.

Ang permiso sa pagsisimula ng pagmimina ay inisyu ng DENR. At bilang preparasyon ng mining operation, ang lugar na inialok at port site ay isinaayos. Habang ang ‘commercial shipments’ ang tinatarget para sa 2nd half ng 2008.

Ang Benguet’s nickel project ay malaki ang naitutulong sa buwis, pag-angat ng ekonomiya, at pag-angat sa buhay ng mga lokal na residente.

Benguet shipment from Zambales questioned

AN opposition senator yesterday accused Benguet Corp. of sending three shiploads of “illegally extracted” nickel ore to China.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said he received reports that Benguet sold 150,000 metric tons of nickel ore to a company in China. He said the mineral was extracted from a mining site in Sta. Cruz, Zambales, which did not have an environmental clearance certificate and a mayor’s permit.

At $30 per MT, the shipments of nickel ore had an estimated value of $4.5 million, Pimentel said in a press statement.

He called upon Environment Secretary Lito Atienza and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno to rein in their subordinates who colluded with big mining interests and “appear to have made a mockery of mining laws.”

According to the senator, the extraction of the nickel ore was allowed by Horacio Ramos, whom Pimentel identified as the director of the Bureau of Mines under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Pimentel said this is a clear case of evading the requirements of the law which mandates that firms must get an environmental clearance from the Environment Department before they can mine any part of the country.

“How can ‘bloc sampling’ justify the extraction of 150,000 metric tons of nickel ores and their shipment in three ships to a destination in China. At an estimated $30 per metric tons, the nickel ores extracted and being shipped would cost some $4.5 million. A lot of money in any language for the investors and their cohorts but hardly for the people of Sta. Cruz,” he said.

Pimentel’s exposé dovetailed with a report of Secretary Atienza that he has launched a crackdown on illegal mining in Zambales. Atienza disclosed that he personally led a recent DENR operations against this activity which led to the confiscation of 200,000 MT of nickel ore while they were being unloaded from dump trucks and transferred to a waiting ship at a private port in Sta. Cruz owned by a mining firm.

He said he flew by helicopter unannounced to the seaport and saw that armed men were around to guard the cargo. He said the mining operators even managed to deploy an armored personnel carrier at the port. By Fel V. Maragay - Manila Standard Today

Interviewed by journalists, Atienza blamed the illegal extraction of nickel ore on Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso who, he said, allegedly indiscriminately issued small mining permits which were used for the illegal activity.

He said there was clear violation of the law because small miners are authorized to extract only 50,000 metric tons of nickel ores. He said his department will take legal action against the persons involved in the illegal mining activity.

Sta. Cruz SB endorses mining projects

BELYING earlier complaints that Benguet Corporation is causing environmental pollution in Sta. Cruz, Zambales, the company yesterday said it has received strong endorsement from the Sangguniang Bayan of the municipality.

The SB of Sta. Cruz, in its regular session last April 23, unanimously approved the application of Benguet for a business permit to operate its large scale nickel mining project in Barangay Guisguis under an approved Mineral Production Sharing Agreement.

Sta. Cruz has been attracting many mining companies and investors interested in developing its rich mineral resources. While welcoming their investments, the SB members are also wary that only responsible and reputable companies, which are able to contribute to the local economy, become good business partners of the community and able to protect the environment, must be allowed to operate within the area.

The municipal officials noted that the nickel mining project of Benguet will bring economic progress and development to Sta. Cruz in terms of taxes, employment, business opportunities and commercial infrastructure (such as port, processing plant, etc.) among others.

They are also convinced that the complaint against Benguet is baseless and politically motivated. The resolution gives all necessary municipal support and assistance to Benguet for the full operation of its project.

Meanwhile, Benguet senior vice president for operations Marcelo Bolano, assured the local officials of “its unqualified commitment to responsible mining and sustainable development of its nickel property in accordance with mining laws and regulations and those dealing with environmental protection.”

“Benguet is ready to contribute to the social and economic welfare of the municipality of Sta. Cruz,” he said.

Sta. Cruz SB presiding officer and Vice Mayor Sebastian Tongson, Sr., certified the approved resolution and expressed elation that the municipality stands to gain much from the entry of similar business locators who meet the SB’s high standards.

Raps vs mine firm found ‘baseless, unfounded’

Small-scale miners blamed for destroying environment

IBA, ZAMBALES – A government investigation team found no violation of environmental and natural resources laws by the mining firm Benguet Corp. (BC) in Sta. Cruz town as alleged by local officials and residents.

The team called “unfounded” complaints that BC broke the law in its operations. Dr. Ruben Yadao, secretariat head of the provincial mining regulatory board, led the team that investigated the complaints.

“There was no sufficient evidence to warrant reports of flaws committed by BC on its mining activities in the area, considering the fact that the firm has not started its actual mining operations,” he said.

He said the team found another mining firm that was tagged by residents to have been operating in the area.

He withheld the company’s name pending the team’s final report.

Sta. Cruz Mayor Luisito Marty earlier asked Environment Secretary Joselito Atienza and Director General Avelino Razon, Philippine National Police chief, to look into reports that the BC was destroying the environment in its exploration activities.

But BC lawyer Reynaldo Mendoza denied the accusations, saying it has yet to start production as it is still awaiting some permits.

Mendoza said the BC holds a mineral production sharing agreement (MPSA) over some l,400 hectares of land in Barangay Guisguis for nickel exploration.

He said the firm conducted initial exploration, such as drilling and test pits, but it has complied with mining laws and environmental regulations.

The company is proceeding cautiously to avoid violating rules, he said, adding that other groups with adverse mining interests in the province are “closely watching our moves.” He did not elaborate.

A team from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau regional office investigated the alleged environmental damage complaint filed by a Rogelio Merced, village chief of Lomboy, a neighboring barangay of Guisguis. By Cesar Villa - Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Small-scale miners blamed for destroying environment

By Anthony Bayarong, Manila Times Correspondent

STA.CRUZ, Zambales: Benguet Corp. (BC)yesterday distanced itself from the issue regarding the destruction of forest and environment and instead pinned the blame on another mining company operating in this mineral rich town.

In a statement, BC identified the mining company as A3 UNA, being primarily responsible for causing inconvenience to some residents due to dust, diesel fumes, mud and posing road hazard.

In the same statement, BC also clarified that they have not started hauling minerals in the 1,400 hectares of land they occupy in Barangay Guisguis.

In a telephone interview, BC Senior Vice President for Legal Issues Atty. Reynaldo Mendoza said that it was not BC who is destroying the environment. In fact, he added that they are now repairing the destruction brought about the illegal mining of A3 UNA, which allegedly mined inside the 1,400-hectare piece of land occupied by their company.

“Inaayos nga namin ngayon yung mga lugar na sinira ng A3-UNA kasi pag nag umpisa na ang tag-ulan natatakot ang mga residente na baka bumagsak ang lupa sa kanila at mag putik sa kanilang mga lugar, natatakot din ang mga residente na baka putik na ang dumaloy sa mga ilog dahil sa illegal mining ng A3 UNA, “ Mendoza told The Times.

“I don’t know why Sta. Cruz Mayor Luisito Marty is so angry with us and not with the small mining company that has no ECC, like A3 UNA,” he added.

He also explained that the company’s project in Zambales has fully complied with mining laws and environmental regulations.

He however confirmed that their company has not paid direct taxes to the province of Zambales since they are paying taxes directly to the national government.

“We recognized the claim of some local officials that we do not pay local taxes but they must understand that they have a share of the taxes we pay directly to the national government; the problem is that the process of releasing their share is slow,” Mendoza said.

He further explained that they are now lobbying in congress a bill that if passed would pave the way to large-scale mining companies’ direct payment of taxes to local governments, including the provincial government, local municipalities and barangays that are affected in mining operations.

The statement added that earlier this week, a team from Mines & Geosciences Bureau (MGB) went to Sta. Cruz to investigate the complaint of environmental damage filed by a certain Barangay Captain Merced of Lomboy, a neigh­boring barangay to Guisguis.

It was found by the MGB team after interviewing residents and local officials in the two barangays that the complaint was baseless. Ongoing works by BC inside the MPSA are confined to road construction which is covered by a road right-of-way permit issued by DENR, and slope stabilization and the construction of silt ponds as part of pollution control measures under the ECC to prevent erosion and siltation in the lower areas. But as confirmed by the MGB investigators, no actual mining or hauling of ore has yet been done by BC.

The MGB team was also informed that a large excavation in Area 1 of the mineral production sharing agreement, which used to be forested, was the result of illegal mining by A3 UNA.

Middle of 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 mineral production sharing agreement 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 overrunning the barangay roads and the subject of numerous complaints of residents affected by dust, pollution and other road hazards.

The company, according to Mendoza, is now undertaking construction of roads and siltation ponds (to serve as catchments basin for silts that would otherwise pollute rice lands located downstream), which involves no tree cutting. It has also erected slope stabilization benches at the excavation site were A3 UNA allegedly illegally mined to prevent erosion.

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

Mayor wants probe of Benguet Corp for illegal mining in Zambales

Mayor Luisito Marty of Sta. Cruz, Zambales, and other officials of the town have asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to investigate Benguet Corp. for allegedly extracting nickel ore illegally in their area.

According to Marty, the company's activities – including road construction – have damaged ecotourism spots and pose risks to thousands of Sta. Cruz residents, particularly in the villages of Guisguis, Lomboy, and Tubo-Tubo North.

"They don't have an exploration permit, but they have already extracted," Marty said. "The people are complaining about the construction of even without the approval by government officials such as I."

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza should penalize the company for the destruction of forest areas and other protected places, besides illegally extracting 86 metric tons of minerals.

"We will definitely file complaints," Marty said. "This cannot be allowed to happen. Where is that responsible and sustainable mining they are talking about?"

Danilo Merced, chairman of Barangay Lomboy, said the mining activities have destroyed their farms, wildlife reserves, and water supply.

"Dust from the loose soil covers wide areas in summer, and it turns
into a mud when it rains," Merced said. "This poses a great risk to residents." - GMANews.TV

Mining companies indulge in turf war

STA. CRUZ, Zambales: Mining companies here are squabbling over precious minerals found in the mountainous part of this town.

According to a source of The Manila Times, security personnel from David M. Consunji Mining Company Inc (DMCMI) and A3UNA almost clashed with one another at the Bolitoc pier.

The sources added that personnel of A3UNA have barricaded the entrance of Balitoc pier to prevent other mining firms from using it.

DMCMI earlier secured a temporary restraining order accusing A3 UNA for violation of mining rights.

Philip Romualdez of the Chamber of Mines was earlier quoted as saying that A3UNA has illegally mined an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 metric tons of nickel ore since June last year.

Last week, police authorities seized a ship identified as M/V Globetrotter, said to be owned by a Greek proprietor, and a barge allegedly operating under Bueno Coady International Corp. and A3UNA. The vessels were allegedly loaded with illegal ores.

Benguet Corp., another mining company here, have also filed a case of mining theft against A3UNA for allegedly pillaging the properties of Eramen Minerals Inc. and Filipinas Mining.

The province of Zambales, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, has an estimated mineral deposit worth $65 billion.

One of the big problems according to the source is a territorial boundary since this mining companies operate close to one another.
-- Anthony Bayarong -- Manila Times