Environment lawyers asked Immigration to deport and blacklist seven Chinese mining executives in Zambales

Lawyers ask Immigration bureau to deport 7 Chinese executives

A GROUP of pro-environment lawyers asked the Bureau of Immigration to deport and blacklist seven Chinese mining executives in Zambales province for human trafficking and illegal exploitation of natural resources. In a three-page Complaint for Deportation dated August 10, the Green Lawyers of the Philippines Inc., through its President Dante Carandang, lodged a complaint with the immigration bureau against the Chinese executives allegedly operating the Coto Mines in Masinloc, Zambales.

Officially charged before the bureau were: Ye Zhou, Shen Bing Hua, Shi Jian Chu, Dong Guilin, Shen Hui, Shi Zhen Yu and Shen Zhen Huan.

The document alleged that the accused engaged in human trafficking by facilitating the entry of around 80 Chinese recruited supposedly to work in the mines.

The complaint also stated that these workers did not have valid work permits and visas, as well as not passing immigration inspection formalities when they entered the country.

“Respondents are undesirable aliens [who violated constitutional], immigration, and other laws of the Philippines,” the document added. “Accordingly, they must be ordered deported after due proceedings.”

It was suspected that the foreigners acquired the right to operate the mine when they entered into a P250-million agreement with Compania Minera Tubajon Inc.

The executives allegedly established a new management team and infused funds for the maintenance and development of the Masinloc chromite project.

Carandang also said that the mining operation is not covered by any financial and technical assistance agreement with the government, adding that Consolidated Mines, the tenement owner, did not sanction it.

“Wherefore, complainant prays that this honorable commission give due course to this Complaint for Deportation; and after due hearing, order their [the executives] immediate deportation . . . and bar their re-entry into the Philippines,” the complaint says. BY JOMAR CANLAS REPORTER - manilatimes.net

Zambales losing P3-billion tax due to DENR mining deal

IBA, Zambales – The province of Zambales is losing some P3-billion in taxes due to the Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA) signed between large-scale mining companies and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Governor Amor Deloso said that at the moment there are around 30 MPSAs covering the mountains of Zambales.

“Zambales has lost about P3 billion in taxes due to the MPSAs. It is certainly unfair to my people that they don’t gain anything from these when they suffer from the pollution and the other inconveniences it (mining operations) brings,” he said.

Large-scale mining corporations pay taxes directly to the national government and have produced billions of pesos while small-scale mining here only produced some P135 million worth of tax.

Under the current set-up, local governments like Zambales have no control over large-scale miners despite being host to their operations. Local government units (LGUs) only regulate small-scale mining.

Deloso said large-scale mining corporations have no “social conscience” and have been ravaging the lands for the past 75 years.

Despite the MPSA, Deloso said, mining companies operating in Zambales should contribute to the development of this province aside from just enriching themselves.

Deloso said, “They should show some social conscience because they’re just permittees who make a living out of our land. They don’t own the mountains here. They should give us some respect.”

Zambales has been one of the richest areas in terms of mineral deposits, but have failed to gain development since the start of mining operations 75 years ago.

Deloso said the reason why Zambales hasn’t risen to the ranks of being a fully-develop province is that most of the taxes that come from mining go directly to the national government. By JONAS REYES - Manila Bulletin

Deloso to mining firms: ‘Show social conscience’

IBA, Zambales —Gov. Amor Deloso has warned mining companies operating in this province to show respect for the local community and contribute to the development of Zambales, as they continue to profit from the extraction of minerals here.

“They should show some social conscience because they’re just permittees who make a living off our land,” Deloso said. “They don’t own the mountains here. They should give us some respect.”

Deloso issued the warning as Zambales authorities apprehended on Saturday a contractor who was found to have exceeded the volume of ores that it can haul from the stockpile of Pilipinas Mining Corp., which operates a small-scale mining concession in the province.

The overhauling, in effect, deprived the provincial government of the proper amount of excise taxes that it earns from the operation of small-scale miners, the governor said.

“Instead of cheating Zambales from the token income the province is allowed to get from the mining industry, you should try to give something in return for the riches you bring out of our province,” Deloso told the contractor.

At the same time, the governor advised a new investor here, Sanofil Allied Conglomerates, a Japanese firm investing P15 million for the operation of an ore-loading port in Iba town, to work for community acceptance “so that the people would feel the benefits of your operations.”

Deloso said that while Zambales has rich mineral deposits, the province has not taken off from mining operations in the last 75 years, mainly because the taxes go directly to the national government.

He said that as it is, most of the Zambales mountains are now covered by about 30 mineral production sharing agreements (MPSA) that do not yield any income for the local government.

The MPSAs are approved by the national office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“Zambales has lost about P3 billion in uncollected taxes due to the MPSAs,” he said.

Deloso added that the situation is all the more unfair to Zambales because the local communities are the ones that suffer from pollution and other inconveniences from mining operations.

He said the lack of adequate income, on one hand and the attendant risks on the other have bedeviled Zambales since major players began digging here decades ago for chromite ores, as well as gold and nickel.

“Acoje Mines was in Sta. Cruz town for 75 years, Benguet Mining Corp. was in Masinloc for 50 years and in San Marcelino for 25 years, yet nothing happened to these mining communities. There was no progress,” Deloso rued. Written by Henry Empeño / Business MIrror Correspondent

DMCI sells port facility in Zambales

Publicly listed DMCI Holdings Inc. has sold its port facility in Zambales to a Fil-Australian mining firm.

In a disclosure to the local bourse on Thursday, the Consunji-led firm said Montemina Resources Corp. now owns the company's 78,318-square meter port facility in Sta. Cruz, Zambales province.

Montemina is 40% owned by Australian mining firm Fil-Asia Strategic Resources and Properties Inc. The firm's Filipino shareholders are Paul Azarcon and Florencio Kennedy Coronel.

DMCI did not disclose the amount raised from the sale of the property, which was previously used by its mining unit for nickel operations.

"Under the terms of the agreement, DMCI, even subsequent to the transfer, shall the right to use the port facility for a period co-terminous to the effectivity of the tenurial instrument granted by the government for the use of the foreshore land where the port facility is located," DMCI said.

The sale of DMCI's port facility in Zambales came after DMCI Mining Corp. suspended its nickel and ore mining activities in the province. This was largely due to prevailing low nickel prices in the world market. ABS CBN NEWS

Miner raises funds for nickel plant in Zambales

AUSTRALIAN MINER Rusina Mining, Ltd. has secured a total of A$5.75 million from British investors for the development of a nickel plant in Zambales.

The proceeds will be used primarily as working capital and for contingencies for a farm-in agreement with European Nickel Plc, the miner said in a disclosure to the Australian bourse last week.

"Institutional investors in the United Kingdom have injected A$5.75 million in fresh capital to support moves by Rusina to develop a nickel-chromite mine in the Philippines," it said.

Rusina Mining and partner European Nickel are conducting a feasibility study for the construction of a $498-million nickel laterite heap leach plant. The feasibility study is expected to be completed by next year.

Nickel prices for cash buyers closed at $7.91 per pound, higher than the estimated $6/lb. production cost of Rusina. Prices of nickel averaged at $5.64/lb. and $4.75/lb. in the second and first quarters, respectively, given low demand, data from the London Metal Exchange showed.

Mining operations though remain suspended. In July, the direct ore shipping operations of the 3,765-hectare Acoje mine was shelved by listed DMCI Holdings, Inc. given low metal prices.

Rusina, European Nickel and local Montemina Resource Corp. aim to mine and process 50.1 million metric tons of ore containing 1.09% grade of nickel for 10 years starting in 2012. BusinessWorld

Bodies of three 'Maring' fatalities found in Zambales

Authorities on Friday said they have found the corpses of three security guards who were buried alive after a landslide covered their guard house in Blanco Mining, Botolan, Zambales last Wednesday.

Fatalities Celso Metran, Patricio Diaz and Amor Metran are all security guards of the MILLGOS Security Agency.

This brings to nine the total number of fatalities in the wake of tropical depression "Maring.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council said a state of calamity remains in effect in Botolan after massive floods affected 10 barangays. A similar declaration was hoisted by local officials in DinalupIhan, Bataan; Olongapo City and Zambales Province.

The NDCC said more than 77,000 families in 32 citities and municipalities were affected by flooding and landslides brought on by Maring.

It said the weather disturbance destroyed an estimated P133,332,032.90 worth of damage to agriculture and infrastructure in the country.

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

Zambales Mining Board on watchlist

PMRB: A watchdog in need of watching

Manila Times

The Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board (PMRB) acts like the Environment department’s eyes and ears on the ground when it comes to how mining is being carried out in a particular, well, province. Among other things, a governor approves the issuance of a small-scale mining contract only upon the recommendation of the board.

To ensure that the concerned sectors have their say in the board, the Small-Scale Mining Act stipulates that the board’s five members be made up of one representative each from the regional office of the environment department, the office of the governor, the large-scale mining industry, the small-scale mining sector and civil society.

The environment department representative chairs the board, thereby keeping it under the control of the national agency. But that no longer seems to be the case in Zambales, where the board has been packed with the governor’s handpicked appointees.

For sure, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has held on to its single board seat. But that’s still one against four. Aside from provincial legal counsel Noel Ferrer, the governor’s representative, there is small-mining permit-holder Arsenia Lim for the small-scale mining sector, and Deody Solee of FIL-ASIAN Mining for the large-scale mining industry. There is also Dr. Teresa Yap of the Zambales Tourism Council Foundation.

Questionable appointments

In a 2007 letter to Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, Gov. Amor Deloso of Zambales admitted that he had tapped Lim and Solee for the board “even without prior endorsement from their respective sector inasmuch as there is no existing organization yet in the province for small-scale miners and large-scale miners.”

Apparently he did not bother to consult the Chamber of Mines and the Small-Scale Mining Association, which, the law says, gets to nominate one representative each to the board “in case of the absence of nominees from the area.”

The appointment of Yap to the board is also questionable since according to law, the representative from a “non-government organization must come from an environmental group duly accredited by the DENR.”

Yap, a dermatologist, admitted that her group was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). No other group was considered for the bureau, she said. According to Yap, she had been part of a group that met with Deloso to ask that Mount Tapulao, Zambales’s highest peak, be spared from mineral exploration. ”I was a bit outspoken during the meeting, and right there and then he asked me to join the board,” she said.

At the very least, that may mean she would be willing to vote against the governor if necessary, even though Deloso may still have the numbers.

In fact, a sixth person used to attend the board meetings, although the board members would not allow him to vote. On August 13, 2007, the Zambales Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved a 30-page ordinance that, among other things, expanded the board’s membership to six.

The provincial board’s environment committee chairman was to be the newest member of the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board. That happened to be Sanggunian Panlalawigan member Samuel Ablola, who was, interestingly enough, the ordinance’s author.

Ablola insisted on sitting in the board, despite an October 5, 2007, Special Order by Secretary Atienza reiterating the group’s five-member composition. Reports from Zambales, however, now say that Ablola, offended that other members barred him from voting, recently stopped attending the board’s meetings. Board insiders said they were waiting for an opinion on the matter from the capitol’s legal department.

Illegal act

In the meantime, other legal experts say the provincial ordinance was pretty much like a local body amending a republic act, which just won’t do.

Comments Marvic Leonen, dean of the College of Law of the University of the Philippines: “No action by the local government can amend the law.”

Environmental lawyer Ipat Luna agrees. “The Sangguniang Panlalawigan cannot supersede the Small-Scale Mining Act, because it is the baseline law,” she says. “They cannot ignore the Small-Scale Mining Act, they can only add to the rules.”

Troops capture mercenary camp in Zambales

IBA, Zambales -- Government troops fought last Thursday with alleged mercenaries and captured their camp” in Sitio Matalisbong, Guisguis, Sta. Cruz, Zambales owned allegedly by a local mining company.

Police Provincial Director, Senior Supt. Rolando Felix, said that his men also arrested at least ten armed men who were reportedly fully equipped with various high caliber weapons, ammunitions, communication facilities. and other war gadgets during the three-day encounter. which started

There were no reported casualties but Felix said his troops are still tracking down several others who allegedly escaped during the firefight.

Arrested were Ronald P. de Vera, 46, of Bulacan; Diosdado S. Ulep, 44, a former Army staff sargeant and Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija; Daniel Peralta, 53, of Barrio Pattao, Buguey, Cagayan; John Ric Marave, 21, of Infanta, Pangasinan; and Fernando Valdez, 53, of Mabanglit, Cabangan; Ernie D. Bulatao, 40, of Porac, Botolan. Johnny Vidal, 51, an ex-CAFGU of Sta. Cruz; Alfredo Dalaodao, 58, former soldier, of Mabanglit, Cabangan; Julito Domacena, 53, of Porac, Botolan; Josefino C. Balintay, 37, of Loob-Bunga Resettlement Area, Botolan, all in Zambales.

All suspects are reportedly working as security guards under First Line Security and Protection Agency, which is based in Metro-Manila.

Recovered from their possessions were four AK-47 assault rifles; one browning automatic rifle; one M-14 Armalite rifle; five Armscor shotguns; volumes of magazines of different caliber and live ammunition; two Motorola I-Com radios; battery chargers and batteries; flashlights; cell phones and war vests.

Before the raid, Governor Amor D. Deloso sought the assistance of Felix to help serve a court decision ordering a local mining firm A3UNA to leave the mining area in barangay Guisguis, Sta. Cr in favor of one Pablo Pabilona. whose claim to the area was rendered “the rightful owner” by the court. By: Ruben A. Veloria - Journal online

Zambales nickel mine starts

IBA, Zambales -- Authorities confirmed Monday that giant Australian mining firm Rusina Mining N.L is ready to start its $500-million nickel commercial mining.

Gov. Amor Deloso, in a briefing with local officials and business leaders, said Rusina, in partnership with European PLC company and two other local mining entities – D.M Consunji Mining and Fil-Asia Mining companies – will operate in a month or two the 10,000-hectare nickel mine in Acoje, Sta. Cruz town.

Deloso also said a smelting plant is being put up by the firm to complement the mining operation so that only finished products such as nickel blocks would be shipped out of the country.

“Certainly, Rusina and co. will help ease-out the country’s economic gloom as 3,000-5000 workers will be hired for various works during its full operation by 2010,” he said. By: Mamer Bañez - Journal online

Deloso cites impact of DENR order on Zambales mining

IBA, Zambales—An order the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently issued to improve tax collection in the mining industry would likely have a negative impact in this province, according to Gov. Amor Deloso.

The governor was reiterating his grounds for filing a case against the national government on the DENR order.

According to Deloso, DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2008-20, issued by Secretary Lito Atienza last September 4, would result in the loss of thousands of jobs in Zambales and millions of pesos in mining fees, excise taxes and other local fees and taxes.

Zambales produces chromite, sand and gravel, magnetic sand, nickel, armor rocks, serpentine, sandstone, copper, lahar stone and sand, and red stone.

The DENR chief said in an earlier statement he welcomed the move of Deloso to seek redress before the Court of Appeals and to clarify guidelines for the mineral ore export permit (MOEP) “since this would give us an opportunity to make our position on the issue clearer and enlighten all sectors, particularly the public at large.”

The DENR’s overriding concern “is to make sure that smuggling of mineral resources is addressed effectively” and that all mining companies understand the need to be transparent in terms of operations, Atienza stressed.

Deloso asked the Court of Appeals in a petition to stop the DENR order. DAO 2008-20, which required an MOEP for all mineral exports by large- and small-scale miners, should not be implemented because it is “void, infirm and defective,” the governor said in the petition.

DAO 2008-20 intended to eradicate “undervaluation, misdeclaration and red tape in the exportation of mineral ores, and the improvement of the collection of taxes by the government.”

But the same order called for the processing of the MOEP at the DENR office in Manila, and at least 60 days before the intended date of shipping.

The MOEP is to be required on top of the ore transport permit, which is already required under Republic Act 7942, or the Mining Act of 1995, Deloso said.

In this light, DAO 2008-20 “would definitely work injustice to Zambales, which is rich in mineral resources and where several thousands of residents work in the mining sector,” he added.

Deloso further said DAO 2008-20 is “an unlawful usurpation of legislative power vested by the Constitution with Congress.”

He said Atienza’s order “is an administrative issuance which is not sanctioned by RA 7942.”

RA 7942 specifically requires an OTP for any mined ore to be exported, but the same law contains no provision for an MOEP.

“The act, therefore, of Atienza in issuing DAO 2008-20 is an amendment of RA 7942 because it expands the law,” Deloso said in his pleadings.

“Since there is now a discrepancy between the statute RA 7942 and an administrative issuance [DAO 2008-20], then the statute prevails because the administrative issuance cannot amend an act of Congress,” Deloso concluded.

Atienza, however, said his agency has the power under the Constitution to protect the country’s environment and natural resources.

“The DENR could not stand idly by while our mineral resources become the target of smugglers who, of course, have enough money to buy all the protection they need to evade the law,” Atienza said in a statement released by the DENR.

“Our duty to protect our mineral resources is stated very clearly in the Constitution, contrary to what Governor Deloso claims,” he added.

Regarding the 60-day period to process the MOEP to which Deloso objected, Atienza said neither the Mines and Geosciences Bureau nor his office has received any complaint about this.

He added that the MOEP and its implementing guidelines have the full support of the Chamber of Mines, the main association of mining companies in the country.Written by Henry Empeño- business Mirror

Zambales asks DOST’s help to develop its mining industry

To spur the economic development of Zambales province, Gov. Amor Deloso is moving toward the development of his province’s mining industry.

Deloso recently told the participants of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Central Luzon Cluster Science and Technology Fair at the Olongapo City Convention Center that national government officials look only at the development of Subic Bay Free Port in his province. He said the province’s economic growth has been slow because of this perception.

Deloso explained that Zambales has a big potential to grow economically if the national government would look and develop the mineral deposits in his province for its commercial purposes.

To attain this objective, Deloso has personally asked Science Secretary Estrella Alabastro to provide the province proper technologies to develop its mining industry that has at least 28 minerals ready to be tapped.

From the more than 600,000-hectare total land area of Zambales, he said at least 216,000 hectares are rich in mineral deposits.

He said Mount Pinatubo alone has released in its last eruption approximately 4 billion tons of iron-rich sand.

“We have the potential mineral reserves, but we need assistance and support to make the mining sector of Zambales progressive,” the governor said.

Deloso added that hopefully, the sleepy towns of Zambales may soon be awakened from its economic hibernation when the country’s only smelting plant starts its operation in the province in the next few months.

“Chinese investors have infused around P1 billion for the project,” the governor said, adding that even American Donald Trump, multimillionaire businessman, is set to develop 400 hectares for a recreation center in Subic.

These projects, Deloso said, are expected to spur the economic activities in his province. But he still stressed that the province needs the expertise of the DOST to respond to the challenges of the 21st century.

Alabastro said the success of the science department’s programs depends on their synchronization with local initiatives.

She said that one of DOST’s attached agency, the Industrial Technology Development Institute, has the proper technologies that could be applied and could help Zambales in its projects.

Pimentel wants illegal mining in Zambales stopped

Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. has urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to put to a halt the illegal mining operations in Candelaria, Zambales province.

Pimentel said Prime Picks Company, a private firm headed by a certain Roberto Go, has been extracting black sands along the Candelaria seashore, a violation of an existing law prohibiting all forms of mining and quarrying in coastal areas which are classified as "salvage zone."

He said the extraction of sands on the shore destroys the natural barrier that prevents the seawater from overflowing that causes flooding in the beach area and the nearby village.

Under the law, mining and quarrying are banned within 200 meters from the salvage zone.

"I was able to talk to [DENR] Secretary (Lito) Atienza and he assured me he would act on my request immediately. He agreed with me that the mining firm has no business operating there," Pimentel said.

Pimentel, Senate Minority floorleader, said he obtained first-hand information about the illegal mining activity during his visit to Candelaria town over the weekend.

He said the farmers in one barangay complained that their ricefields have been damaged by the intrusion of sea water caused by the illegal mining.

The municipal council of Candelaria has approved a resolution asking proper government authorities to stop the company's mining operation in view of the destruction it is causing to the environment that endangers the welfare and safety of the people in the nearby community, he said.

Noting that Prime Picks does not have any valid permit, Pimentel said, the company owners should be held criminally liable for its illegal mining operations.

"Here is a clear example of an unscrupulous mining company operating without regard to environmental laws, unmindful of the hazards that its operation is causing the local residents and completely ignoring the authority of the local government unit concerned. We should not allow this intolerable situation to go on," he said. (PNA)

Aetas to engage in small-scale mining soon, thanks to Mt. Pinatubo

IBA, Zambales- Indigenous peoples (IPs) of this province, commonly known as Aetas, will soon engage in small-scale mining-thanks to Mount Pinatubo.

Gov. Amor Deloso said a Hong Kong- based businessman, Peter Liu, has agreed to buy the precious “black sand” that was spat out by Mount Pinatubo when it erupted in 1991.

Some 30 Aetas families, he said, will benefit from the undertaking, which could start in the first week of October.

According to Deloso, the Maraunot River, located on the eastern part of Botolan, was clogged by black sand when Mount Pinatubo erupted. “Little did we metallic minerals,” he said.

He said there is an estimated 4 billion tons of such mineral deposit in the said river, which the Aeta families can extract and sell to Peter Liu.

About 60.7 percent of the black sand is iron, while 5 percent is titanium.
Black sand could be a source of high-quality iron. That’s why the prospect of small-scale mining is very good, Deloso said.

Deloso said he is looking at initially issuing small-scale mining permits covering 1,000 hectares, which he said will be divided equally into five to benefit 30 families who live in the area, the land being part of the Aeta’s ancestral domain.

He estimated that with 1,000 hectare being mined out, 2.5 million tons a year can be extracted in the next two years, with the Aeta families getting P20 per ton, while the provincial government will be able to generate income of $5 per ton.

“I’ve already talked to Mr. Liu and the Aeta families will finally benefit from the mining permit,” he said.

Deloso said Liu will use a machine that can separate metallic minerals such as iron and titanium from the black sand. The machine is worth $300 million. J. Mayuga

Zambales vice gov bats for responsible mining

IBA, ZAMBALES – Zambales Vice Governor Anne Gordon said mining companies should practice responsible mining in the wake of the tragedy in Compostela Valley where mining activities appeared to have contributed to the landslides that left scores of people dead early this month.

Asked by environmentalist groups here regarding mining operations in Zambales, Gordon cited the strict monitoring being done by the provincial government on mining firm operations as she expressed concern over the hazards posed by unchecked mining activities on the environment and communities near mining sites.

There are currently eight mining firms operating in Zambales. These are Benguet Corp., Acoje Mining Company, A3 Una Mining Corp. Eramen Minerals, Inc., Chrom Mining Resources Corp., all in Sta. Cruz town, the Saprolite Mining Inc. in Botolan, and the Consolidated Mines, Inc. and Zambales Chromite Mining Inc., both in Masinloc.

The vice governor said mining firms should address environmental concerns while the government should keep a close watch on protected areas and make sure that these are not settled by villagers.

"We have to ensure that people are out of harm’s way and the provincial government of Zambales is taking no chances when it comes to the safety of people in mining villages," said Gordon.

She added that that the provincial leadership is very particular regarding the impact of mining activities in the ecosystem.

"There is always the possibility of accidents and environmental degradation given that mining is a high-risk activity. That is why Governor Amor Deloso formed Task Force Kalikasan in order to keep mining operations in check.

"Tragedies can be avoided and the damage to the environment can be contained if we all act responsibly," Gordon stressed.

Nihao unit gets right to mine nickel in Zambales

It is reported that Companhia Nube Minerale Inc, a subsidiary of Nihao Mineral Resources International Inc, has executed an operating agreement with another local mining firm for the exclusive right to develop a nickel mine in Botolan, northwest of Manila.

As per report, Companhia Nube Minerale Inc has acquired from Concorde International Mining Corporation the exclusive right to develop and operate, for the extraction of nickel, the 2,564 hectare property in Botolan.

The agreement is for 5 years and may be renewed for another 5 years.

Nihao said that Nube Minerale agreed to pay Concorde a royalty fee per tonne of nickel shipped, based on the average current nickel price, with escalation in the event of increase in nickel prices.

Nube Minerale will also be given first priority in the event Concorde decides to enter into another joint venture to develop other mineral resources in the Concorde AEP area.

In August 2008, Nihao signed an agreement with Jiangxi Rare Earth and Rare Metals Tungsten Group Co on exploration and development of mine sites in Zambales. Under the agreement, Jiangxi, Nihao and Geograce Resources Philippines Inc will form a partnership to explore and develop Zambales mining holdings totaling 35,496.6 hectares that are either directly or indirectly held by the two local firms.

The agreement also provides for other arrangements, including establishment of a JV processing plant for nickel and cobalt in the Philippines. If the exploration work proves successful, a nickel smelting plant will e put up in Zambales in three to six months. steelguru.com

Rosales, Gordon raise alarm on mining

Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and Zambales Vice Gov. Anne Gordon yesterday issued separate calls for responsible mining in the wake of the tragedy that struck the Compostela Valley mining area.

Rosales took the government to task for failing to stop the illegal mining activities in Compostela Valley.

“I was there during the ’80s and was then asking the government to do something or if there was a need to legalize the mining activities there in order to protect the people and environment, to no avail,” the Manila archbishop said.

Rosales clarified that the Catholic Church was not against mining per se for as long as it is regulated and not controlled by “those who mine and destroy the environment.”

Mining is important because it can generate jobs, the Cardinal said.

In Zambales, Gordon said mining companies should practice responsible mining as she expressed concern on the hazards posed by unchecked mining activities on the environment and communities near mining sites.

There are currently eight mining firms operating in Zambales. These are Benguet Corp., Acoje Mining Co., A3 Una Mining Corp., Eramen Minerals Inc., Chrom Mining Resources Corp., all in Sta. Cruz town; Saprolite Mining Inc. in Botolan, Consolidated Mines Inc. and Zambales Chromite Mining Inc., both in Masinloc.

The vice governor said mining firms should address the environmental concerns while the government should keep a close watch on protective areas and make sure that these are not settled by villagers.

“We have to ensure that people are out of harm’s way and the provincial government of Zambales is taking no chances when it comes to the safety of people in mining villages,” said Gordon.

She added that the provincial leadership is very particular regarding the impact of mining activities in the ecosystem of areas where mining is allowed. Arlie Calalo - Manila Standard today

Meeting in October to promote responsible mining in Zambales

By. Jonathan Mayuga – Business Mirror

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau in Region 3 will conduct a summit next month to promote responsible mining in the province of Zambales.

DENR Region 3 executive director Regidor de Leon said the two-day event, which will be held on the first week of October, will gather several stakeholders in mining to come up with a win-win solution to the various problems the beset the industry.

The summit, he said, will tackle issues such as the processing of and compliance with environmental clearance certificates, issuance of licenses and permit pertinent to mining activities and corporate social responsibility.

The province of Zambales is a problematic area when it comes to mining, with small companies committing gross violation of environmental laws because of the failure of local government units (LGUs) to regulate their activities.

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza had already warned Zambales’ local officials to shape up or face the possibility of mining moratorium.

After receiving numerous complaints that small mining companies are rampantly violating permits and licenses issued by LGUs, Atienza threatened to cancel all environmental clearance certificates to stop small mining activities in the province until such time that the mining companies learn to practice responsible mining.

De Leon said expected to participate in the summit are local government executives from the various local government units in the province and representatives from several sectors, including nongovernmental organizations, people’s organizations, environmental groups, fisherfolk groups and indigenous peoples who will have the chance to meet with some of the company executives of big and small mining companies that currently engage in mining activities in the province.

“This is in line with the government’s thrust to promote responsible mining in the Philippines,” he said.

He said he expects at least a thousand people will participate in the mining summit.

Workers, residents drive away soldiers from Zambales mine

Some 150 mine workers and residents on Monday gathered inside the Coto Mines in Masinloc, Zambales, in a bid to force 80 Army soldiers out of the area after a business dispute broke there on Friday.

Arsenia Lim, owner of the Compania Minera, said she mobilized the protesters to resume normal operations at the mines this week.

“We decided to all go up today (Monday). We also sought the help of the governor (Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso) just so this standstill would [end],” Lim said by telephone.

“They are also angry because the soldiers hurt two miners,” she said.

The protesters gathered on Gate 2 and pitched a tent there.

Lim said she bought the chromite tailings from the Benguet Mines, which used to have an operating contract with the Consolidated Mining Inc. (CMI) for 50 years until July 8 this year. She also bought 100 percent shares of Compania Minera, CMI’s partner, after Benguet Mines’ stint at Coto Mines.

CMI has contested Lim’s rights to claim the chromite tailings and extract minerals on Coto Mines, which CMI has been running since 1934.

CMI president Ben Teodoro Eusebio, however, denied asking the military to help his company regain control of the area.

Maj. Gen. Ralph Villanueva, chief of the 7th Infantry Division based in Nueva Ecija, said he has not pulled out his troops from Coto Mines. They belong to the 24th Infantry Battalion.

“We’re there for counter-insurgency operations, not for the business dispute,” Villanueva said, referring to the 20 New People’s Army rebels seen in the area last week.

He said the soldiers have been staying at the Coto Mines’ staff house.

“This is a legitimate mission,” he said.

On April 28 this year, Villanueva stopped the illegal use by retired Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. of soldiers belonging to the 24th IB when the retired general and his security firm took over the port in Masinloc, 23 km west of Coto Mines.

Deloso went to the mine site on Monday and reported seeing two tanks there.

“It’s really like they’re going to war but there are no rebels here. These soldiers entered without coordinating with me or my office. They didn’t even have the courtesy to inform me [of their action],” he said.

He said he saw soldiers manning a checkpoint on Km 12. The others were in the “Cage Pool,” a private swimming pool amid a small forest.

“If they were really on an anti-insurgency campaign, why did it seem like they were having a picnic here?” he said.

He said he saw about 50 security guards in the area.

The governor said he would meet with Villanueva to allow the companies to settle their disputes without using the military or police.

“These business disputes can be best handled by local officials because after all, we are after business taxes due our constituents,” he said. By Tonette Orejas - Inquirer Central Luzon Desk

Mining company warns on bogus representatives

By Marvyn Benaning – Manila Bulletin

Zambales Chromite Minign Corp. Inc. (ZCMC) has warned the people about certain parties passing themselves as representatives of the firm and selling what it termed as non-existent minerals ores.

In a statement, ZCMC claimed that the company has been receiving reports from investment bank officers that a certain businesswoman from the province was trying to sell chromites from the ZCMC area.

The company maintained that it has no previous or current business or contractual relations with them and asked those approached to report the matter to the police.

Neither ZCMC nor the department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) authorized anybody to extract one from or to engage in any mining activity in the area covered by the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) No. 005-91-111 granted by the national government to ZCMC.