Mind The Now Ate News Special Issue International Mining Conference Davao Primer on Mining in The Philippine and Mindanao

1. MIND
at en ews speci al issue
NOW
THE
a primer on mining in the
philippines and mindanao
Special Feature
The challenges that entail the
multi-million peso industry
The Price of Mining
Behind the lucrative venture
lies a risk to homes and lives
Mining & Human Rights
Militarization, displacements
and threats

2. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
T
HE CONCERN that of Kidapawan, Marbel and cently denied SMI-Xtrata
the Ateneo de Davao Digos and the Catholic an Environmental Clear-
University express- Educational Association of ance Certificate based on
es forcefully this week the Philippines in their op- the conflict between the
against unacceptable min- position to the SMI-Xtrata local provincial ordinance
ing in Mindanao through Project. and the national Mining
its International Confer- As a Jesuit University it Act of 1995, the denial
ence on Mining in Mind- aligns itself with the mis- must be based on more
anao on 26-27 January, sion of the Society of Jesus than a mere conflict of
2012, flows from its being which includes the protec- laws. The International
a Catholic, Jesuit and Fili- tion and preservation of Conference on Mining in
pino University. the environment. Mindanao will bring local
As a Catholic University it As a Filipino University it and international exper-
aligns itself with the Cath- insists that, if mining is at tise to bear on substantial
olic Bishops Conference of all to be allowed, the Fili- negative impacts of the
the Philippines in its oppo- pino people must have a proposed project on the
sition to such large-scale greater share in the value environment and on local
mining projects as the SMI- of the minerals extracted communities, including
Xtrata Mining Project pro- than “zero to nil.” the felling of protected
posed for South Cotabato As a University in Mindan- rain forests, the harm to
because of the likelihood ao, it expresses its support the fresh water supply of
of the severe environmen- for the courageous and the communities, the ir-
tal degradation that it will landmark ordinance of the reparable damage to bio-
bring, because of the dis- Sanggunian Panlalawigan diversity, and the mining
location of local peoples, of South Cotabato against method that will leave an
and because of the ineq- open-pit mining, and the open pit five hundred hec-
uitable sharing of mining implementation of this or- tares large and 800 meters
resources under current dinance by South Cotabato deep.
Philippine policy. It also Governor Arthur Pingoy.
supports the local dioceses While the DENR has re-
Fr. Joel Tabora, S.J.
President
Ateneo de Davao University
2 m in d t he now

3. MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
I
T IS never easy to write who fought for clean air, We encourage every
for truth in this coun- Adelino Ramos of Brazil Mindanaoan to assess the
try. Given the context who opposed illegal log- pros and cons of mineral
that Philippines is known ging, and Eliezer “Boy” exploitation. We call eve-
as one of the world’s most Billanes, a Filipino and a ryone to join the cause and
dangerous places for jour- strong advocate against say YES to a greener Mind-
nalists, there are a lot of mining in Mindanao. anao, and YES to a pro-
things a writer must con- The numbers of slain en- people mining.
sider. Among these are vironmentalists are evi- If all of us are willing to
the validity of his informa- dences of impunity; these stand united to protect the
tion, reliability of sources, are proofs of how greed best interest of the many
and especially the back- can silence innocent peo- and preserve the higher
ground of the people and ple or even end their lives. values of our community,
parties involved. A writer The objective to hor- fighting for what is right
knows that the actors who rify green advocates in and writing for truth will
play big roles in his story the country continues be easy.
are the ones capable of to strike, knowing that
bringing him either to the the people’s movement
brightest or to the darkest against mining is growing I would like to express my
place of his profession. and gaining more support. profound gratitude to the
With the creeping culture In line with ATENEWS’s Office of the President for
of impunity in today’s gen- goal to push responsible entrusting to us this spe-
eration, it is not only jour- stewardship, we offer a set cial issue. To our support-
nalists or members of the of relevant and truthful ive moderator Dr. Victoria
press who are exposed to articles on mining in Mind- Tatad-Pre and to my hard-
threats. As long as an indi- anao. working Atenews colleagues
vidual has a cause to fight, In this issue, our writers who made this issue possi-
an advocacy to propagate, share the stories of hope ble, especially to Jake and
he is endangered to be one of the common people and Steven, thank you and keep
of the victims of society’s the battles of the deprived the passion!
horrors. communities to live a safe
Several prominent en- and quality life. Also, the
vironmentalists around interests of the mining
the world were killed in firms and the industry as a
the name of environmen- whole are incorporated for Reymond Pepito
Editor-in-Chief
talism. Like Thongnak us to weigh both parties’ Atenews
Sawekchinda of Thailand agenda.
at en ews speci al issue 3

4. Contents
The Island of Mindanao Photo/Chelys - eosnap.com
MIND
at en ews speci al issu e
10
NOW
THE
The Price of Mining
Behind the lucrative venture lies a risk to homes & lives
a primer on mining in the
philippines and mindanao
26
Mining & Human Rights
Militarization, displacements & threats
4 m in d t he now

5. AT E N EWS
The Official Student Publication
of Ateneo de Davao University
END THE SILENCE OF THE GAGGED!
Reymond Pepito
editor-in-chief
Karlo James David Bringas
associate editor
Tom Louis Herrera
managing editor
John Kessler Misterio
associate managing editor
Cyril Jerome Almanzor
news editor
Kathleen Anne Veloso
features editor
Mind the Now
16 Edward Lactaoen
associate features editor
Paul Randy Gumanao
honorary editor
Garry Camarillo
Jhar-Mae Magalona
Jamira Anne Martinez
The challenges that entail the multi-million Almira Jane Villegas
Pamela Joy Yutiamco
peso industry senior writers
Ursula Calipayan, Zyra Kee,
Florienne Melendrez, Kathleen
Pastrana, Jenny Mae Saldaña,
Philippine Mining Act
06 Clemarie Secuya, Arielle Sta. Ana,
Maybelle Yutiamco
writers
Save the Palawan Movement
08 Caycee Coronel, Maritoni Nanini,
JM Mercado, Miguel Alejandro
Tampakan
14 The Tampakan Copper-Gold Project
Antonio, Geneva Shaula Almeria,
Farrideh Jadali Sabet, Louise
Marie Loreno
photojournalists
Who’s who
29 Looking into different mining companies
Paul Anthony Crooks, Steely
Dhan Caballero, Nadine Caballes,
in the Philippines Bea Trizia Jimenez, Zyra
Montefolca
Opinion cartoonists
31 Why mining should not be in my backyard Steven Adrianne Chua, Jason
Occidental, Sanju Chugani,
Jamela Rae Allaga
layout & graphics
About the Cover
Francis Kenneth Barrina,
Featured on the cover is the Panian Coal Mine on Semirara Herc Casiple
Island. Most of the coal extracted is used to generate energy in web team
the Philippines, and some are exported to India & China. Dr. Victoria Tatad-Pre
Photo/ISS Expedition 23 - NASA.gov moderator
at en ews speci al issue 5

6. Laws
Philippine
Mining Act
A closer look BY FLORIENNE MELENDREZ
The Senate of the Philippines Photo/Joe Arazas
L
aws are enacted to utilization and conserva- that it allows a hundred
maintain order and tion of the minerals and percent foreign ownership
equity in a group, a resources found within the of mining operations. This
society or a country usu- Philippine territory. But could have been some-
ally for the benefit and ironically, this Act, which thing good considering
betterment of the major- is supposedly enacted for its possible contribution
ity. But, unlike many other promoting the welfare of to the country’s profits.
laws, there is one in the the nation, is looked at But, there is one sad truth:
Philippines that continues negatively by some peo- Chapter XIV, Section 80
to spark debates because ple due to some provisions of the said statute states
of some of its effects that contained therein that that “The total govern-
are apparently negative. does otherwise. ment share in a mineral
Back in 1995, the Sen- production sharing agree-
ate and the House of Rep- Profit-oriented? ment shall be the excise
resentatives in Congress It can’t be denied that tax on mineral products…”
promulgated Republic Act the abovementioned stat- In short, the only way the
No. 7942 otherwise known ute is crafted with hopes country could gain from it
as Philippine Mining Act of of boosting the country’s is through its small share
1995. This law aims to pro- economy and gaining more on taxes.
mote national growth by revenue by attracting more Aside from this, Section
setting rules regarding the investors. The idea is rein- 90 grants the incentives
exploration, development, forced merely by the fact to the contractors as pro-
6 m in d t he now

7. vided for under the Om- the same excise tax on (18) years of age shall be
nibus Investments Code mineral products, in ad- employed underground in
of 1987. Because of this, dition to other direct and a mine.” Despite the obvi-
they are allowed to benefit indirect taxes. The basis of ous and clear rules, there
from the income tax holi- the excise tax is the selling have been reports regard-
day that ranges from three price of the mineral prod- ing the issues on child la-
to six years from the start uct. Hence, there is no rea- bor in mining operations.
of commercial operations son for the State to approve According to 2001 Na-
depending on the status of or disapprove the capital tional Statistics Office Sur-
the contractor’s projects. or operating expenses of vey on Children, there are
Putting in mind the fact the mining contractor,” he some 14,000 children en-
that the country’s income added. Thus, the statute gaged in mining and quar-
is only through taxes plus does not give the State any rying. Half of these chil-
the fact that the contrac- power and regulation over dren are between 10 - 14
tors are enticed through mining operations which years old, and there have
the tax holiday incentives, superficially violates 1987 been reports that there
we already have a picture constitution specifically are some child workers as
of the “huge profit” the Article 12, Section 2 which young as five working in
Philippines gets. states that “The explora- quarries and mines. Apart
tion, development, and from the lax implementa-
No state control utilization of natural re- tion of this provision of
In the case of La Bugal- sources shall be under full the law, another issue that
B’Laan Tribal Association control and supervision of reveals itself in here is the
versus Ramos, Justice Car- the State.” continuous employment
pio Morales expressed his Aside from the provi- of children by the Mining
opinion saying that the sion’s constitutionality be- Corporations because of
provisions of RA 7942 on ing questioned, this also cheap labor.
MPSAs (Mineral Produc- makes it apparent how The Mining Act, though
tion Sharing Agreements) such provision indirectly with its attempt of uplift-
and FTAAs (Financial paves way for the unjust ing the country’s economy
or Technical Assistance exploitation of minerals in by making its provisions
Agreement) do not give the country. enticing to the investors,
the State any control and apparently remains imper-
supervision over the min- A violation fect for the Philippine set-
ing operations. This is be- Aside from the negative ting. Instead of resulting to
cause the “share” of the effects of the somewhat betterment, it only ignited
state in a mineral produc- “flawed” provisions men- disputes due to some of
tion sharing agreement as tioned above, it can’t be its provisions that led to
referred to in Section 80 denied that there are also inequity of rights. With all
is limited exclusively to provisions in the said law these, is it still justifiable
the excise tax on mineral that continues to be vio- if it remains implemented
products. lated. in spite of the defects? Is
In the same manner, Mo- Section 64 of the same it right if the government
rales also said that the law makes clear the rules will still wait for more vio-
“share” of the state in an on mine labor and states lations of the law before
FTAA under Section 81 is that “no person under six- they start to do something
not related to the capital or teen (16) years of age shall about it? The answer is ob-
operating expenses of the be employed in any phase vious
foreign contractor. “The of mining operations and
State’s “share” constitutes no person under eighteen
at en ews speci al issue 7

8. Laws
Save the Palawan
Movement
What Monsod’s contentions have bared
BY ARIELLE STA. ANA
1
995 TOFIL Awardee rivers and shorelines.” use of their advantage over
for Government Ser- The word ‘mining’ might the underprivileged and
vice, Atty. Christian S. have a luminous gleam weakly represented.
Monsod, has been one of to it, because we expect “(4) In any case, there
the strong advocates of the gems, jewelry, and even should be a moratorium on
No To Mining In Palawan technology to accessorize mining in these areas until
Movement. Last Novem- and emphasize our “beau- the government (DENR/
ber 22, 2011, he presented ty” and “comfort”. Behind MGB) has put in place the
arguments that stirred the glistening outputs of safeguards which the Phil-
those in the pro-mining mining though, are devas- ippine Development Plan
and anti-mining side, even tating outcomes that have (Chapter 10) admits are not
those far in between. been at the grave cost of yet in place.”
“(1) Mining is one of the those who have more rights “(6) The mining industry
most contentious activi- to it that any one else- the is pressing for approval of
ties in our country because indigenous peoples. These mining applications and
most of the minerals are people are either usually operations, warning that
located in the rural and unaware of the suppos- investments might dry
in the mountainous areas edly dominating rights up and the international
where the poorest of the they have to their home, community is becoming
poor are located – farmers or are made to believe the alarmed at the instability
and indigenous peoples favorable agreements they of the rules and delays in
– and in smaller islands would get into. Royalty government approvals.”
where, in addition, the fee promises have never The Strategic Environ-
livelihood of fisherfolk are been honored, mainly be- mental Plan (SEP Law)
also endangered by mining cause mining companies supposedly protects the
tailings spilling into the such as CitiNickel make land and the people from
8 m in d t he now

9. The beauty of Palawan island Photo/sofluna.com
any extractive activity that “(7) (e) mining as God’s ism.”
will ultimately cause de- bounty to serve human- Minerals were situated
struction. It seems though, ity – COMMENT: Minerals underground because they
that this law has not been can serve other purposes have purposes which, even
serving any purpose at than being dug up and ex- science, cannot counter.
all, for mining giants have ported. Science says that The extraction of these
proceeded with the op- they are needed to anchor eliminates the anchoring
erations even without a forests (especially in island function it has for the for-
legitimate consensus on ecosystems). Since we are ests, and consequently,
the matter. The owners of the number one disaster health-hazardous gases
the land have full entitle- area from typhoons, the such as carbon monoxide
ments to reject or accept value of mineral rocks to are released. The value of
activities to be done in our forests and biodiver- the minerals to the ecosys-
their homelands, as justi- sity is just as high. As for tem is much higher than
fied by the Free Prior and the argument that miner- the cost of the minerals
Informed Consent (FPIC) als are the raw materials processed into the modern
requirement. The Pala- for modern conveniences, conveniences we avail of
wan Council for Sustain- the point is that, in cases today. The well-to-do have
able Development (PCSD) where mining is allowed, to take their part in giving
even has a questionable the minerals should be back, though the price to
position on the CitiNickel priced at full cost, includ- pay will never equal what
operations. Sadly, as it ing environmental and so- has been lost to nature and
turns out, these bodies cial costs. Otherwise, our endured by the dwellers
and guidelines are just for poor, who bear these costs who cannot even dream
formalities. Will they ever are effectively subsidizing of touching the treasures
serve their purpose? the rich in their consumer- they also deserve.
at en ews speci al issue 9

10. Facts
The price
of mining
Behind the lucrative venture lies a risk that
endangers homes and lives BY JHAR-MAE MAGALONA
10 m in d t he now

11. Soldiers and rescuers carry a victim recovered from the site on Jan.
6, 2012, a day after a landslide occurred at the small-scale mining
community of Pantukan, Compostela Valley in Southern Philippines.
Photo/inquirer.net AP
L
ooking for mineral mining has also caused The promise of wealth that
deposits through a lot of damage to the the mines carry causes the
mining is a gamble. environment. Some of people to disregard the
However, in this these include various possibility of unpleasant
undertaking, it is not only sea spills that marred the circumstances happening.
money, time and labor coral reefs and sea life in Their desire to have a
which is at stake, it also general, deforestation in better life overpowers the
involves life. There are these mining sites making fear they have. It is also
countless tragedies that wide areas bare, and even this desire that has caused
can happen in a mining site. exposure of different innumerable mining
This is because mining is a animal lives to poisonous incidents in the country.
highly dangerous activity chemicals.
that can lead to numerous Yet, despite the danger Pantukan Incident
disasters, including minor that mining creates, Mining can either be
to severe injuries or even this does not seem to be small-scale or large-scale.
deaths. enough to scare people Small-scale mining are
Aside from that, away from the industry. those that are usually
at en ews speci al issue 11

12. 5/1
Pantukan Landslide
25 killed
16 injured
PANTUKAN
Compostela Valley
conducted by small groups Compostella Valley. Ramos stresses out that
who identify probable sites The landslide that the victims also have their
wherein mineral deposits happened last January 5 share of culpability. There
might be abundant. On in Pantukan was the effect was an approved ‘No
the other hand, large-scale of the small-scale miners’ Habitation Policy” that was
mining are those that are unregulated tunneling agreed on June of last year.
conducted by large mining plus the frequent rains The miners didn’t observe
companies. But before that had happened weeks this and in return they
they could start their prior to the incident. have this consequence
operations, they to live with. Part of the
must first provide blame also goes to the
the necessary local officials who failed to
feasibility studies enforce the ban. Even after
to be approved the numerous landslides
by the Mines that had happened within
and Geosciences the vicinity -one happened
Bureau (MGB). It last April, killing 14 people
is often believed and another in the year
that these 2009 which resulted to 26
large mining deaths- they do not appear
companies are to have learned anything.
the only ones According to some
responsible for Photo/Philippine Army survivors, they were lucky
the many lives enough to have heard
that have been lost in These factors made the the warning shots. They
mining incidents; but soil unstable, triggering believe that the rest of
it isn’t always the case. the landslide that buried those who were not able to
Of the many mining- 62 houses and killed over escape may have chosen to
related disasters that had 36 people. Although the ignore these warning shots
happened, a significant landslide was classified or might not have heard
portion of it was caused as generally rain-induced, them for they were in deep
by the small-scale miners. the factor that the slumber. However, it is sad
Just recently, a mining mining has intensified that despite everything
catastrophe caused the predicament cannot that has happened, there
by small-scale mining be denied. Disaster are still a great number of
took place at Pantukan, Reduction Chief Benito miners who will choose to
12 m in d t he now

13. TIMELINE
5/2 5/15 Pantukan Landslide
Start of retrieval Retrieval operations The Pantukan Mining Landslide that
operations halted
happened last January 5 buried 62
62 homes houses, took the lives of 36 people, and
left another 36 more missing. What
buried could have caused this incident?
36 killed
go back to the mining site. tons of low grade nickel relation to this defense.
They say that they have which was supposed to The first one is that the
been relying on mining for be transported to China. shipping is part of the
a very long time now and Although RTNMC initially mining process. Secondly,
it would be hard for them claimed that the damage it happened within the
to look for another source done should not be that Palawan territory and
of income. They are fearful great for there are no lastly, they didn’t disclose
for their lives, but they corals in the area where it the incident.
would rather live in fear spilled, it isn’t supported We are lucky to live in a
than die of hunger. by evidences for no country that is wealthy
immediate assessment in mineral deposits.
Mining Incidents in was conducted to identify However, this fact is also
Palawan the impact of the incident. responsible for creating
Large-scale mining Another accident of the the dilemma on whether
companies have always same nature happened it is better to mine or not.
argued that mining to the Citinickel Mining Mining has been the reason
won’t be as harmful as Corporation’s vessel. It for the many lives lost
it was before. They say destroyed approximately and resources damaged.
that the mining laws 1000 square meters of coral Nonetheless, we cannot
and the technological reef area. However, the deny the reality that it has
advancements that exist company did not disclose also been beneficial for
are sufficient to guarantee the incident to the local some of us individually,
that there is responsible authorities. It was only and for the economy of
mining. But is there really after a concerned citizen our country. In the end it
such a thing? tapped the Philippine will all boil down to the
Just last year, there Coast Guards that the consequences that you can
have already been two incident was raised to the live with. Are the riches
mining-related accidents concerned agencies. Even enough to compensate for
in Palawan. The first one so, the MGB says that the every life lost? Is mining
happened last March company cannot be liable worth the price we have to
when a barge of Rio Tuba for the incident that has suffer for it?
Nickel Mining Corporation happened because their
overturned due to terrible accountability ended when
weather just about 3 to 4 they loaded the minerals
kilometers from the pier. to the ships. There have
It carried 188 wet metric been arguments raised in
at en ews speci al issue 13

14. Facts
Tampakan
The Tampakan Copper-Gold Project - TAMPAKAN
South Cotabato
A closer look BY PAMELA YUTIAMCO
T
HE PHILIPPINES copper, forest products Award (2010, 2009 and
has a lot to give. With and fiber, woodcrafts 2006); Best Mining
its diverse culture bamboo and rattan. Seeing Forest Program Award –
and rich natural resources, the potential market of Exploration (2010), with
the rest of the world is no gold and copper, a wide special awards (2009 and
doubt drawn upon the area of Tampakan is now 2008); Safest Mine Award
Pearl of the Orient Seas. In utilized by Sagittarius –Exploration (2010);
the eyes of a commoner, Mines Inc. (SMI). Award of Distinction,
culture and especially Sagittarius Mines Inc. is a Safety Organization of the
natural resources should Filipino company which is Philippines, Inc. (2010);
be preserved. However, to part of a global diversified Anvil Award of Excellence
a profit-maker it means a mining group, Xstrata –Communication Tools
lot of opportunities. Two Copper. Xstrata Copper (2010); Top Taxpayer
views now stand at the holds the 4th largest global (Withholding Tax), Region
opposites of a pole. Which copper producer and is XII (2010, 2009 and
one weighs the heaviest? providing the technical 2008) and Outstanding
Mining in the Philippines and managerial resources Stakeholder, Department
is one of the most for the development of of Education, Region XII
controversial issues in the the mining project in (2009).
country. Although a law Tampakan.
has already been enacted, According to SMI, the Why not mining?
there are still an increasing project could enable a The Tampakan project
number of people who better future for the host carries with it a lot of
disagree. communities, the people opportunities. Most of it
Among all the mining of southern Mindanao and are about the economic
companies established would make a significant growth of the country:
in the Philippines, let’s contribution to the Significant “multiplier”
zoom in to the one located Philippines as a whole. In effect –an additional annual
in Tampakan. Tampakan fact, in order to gain the average contribution of 1%
is one of the 11 local confidence of the people, GDP over the 20 year life
government units in South SMI showed that it has a of the Project; Total tax
Cotabato. It is a major responsible track record: and royalty revenues to
producer of corn, banana, Presidential Mineral the Philippines estimated
pineapple, gold and Industry Environment to be PhP346 billion;
14 m in d t he now

15. Left Photo/©alvindomingcil TSF
Quarry
Tailings Storage
Facility
Waste Stocks Concentrator
Storage Facility YO
R
VE Fresh
CON Water
CK Employee
E RO Dam
Open Pit ST Village
YO
R WA
VE
ON
EC
OR
Tampakan Copper-Gold Mine Project Site
Graphics/Jamela Allaga Source/SMI SCALE 1.50 km
Annual contribution of criticisms and negative dumped. Wicks said that
an additional 10.4% GDP feedbacks from the locals. the environmental impact
for Region XI and Region The project seems to have study and assessment of
XII; Opportunities for a lot of drawbacks. SMI failed to explain why
up to 10,000 workers the toxic waste rock could
during construction and Why, of all means, mining? not be stored in the mine
2,000 during operations; What SMI sees as an pit itself instead of being
Engagement of local opportunity seems to placed in a dumpsite,
and national contractors be the opposite for the which would increase
and service providers. people in Tampakan, and the risks of cancer to
In addition to that, SMI South Cotabato as a whole. surrounding communities
shows its commitment to Based on Clive Wicks, and that the mine will
sustainable development: who co-wrote with Dr. seriously undermine the
Sustainable Development Robert Goodland a book government’s plans for
describes our commitment published in 2009 titled water supply, agriculture,
to balance economic, “Philippines: Mining or irrigation and forestry.
environmental and social Food?,” Central Mindanao With the pros and
considerations and ensure would have 20 percent cons laid down, which
the long-term viability less water in 20 years and alternative now looks more
of our business and the this might worsen due promising? Going through
communities in which to the destruction of the with mining can boost up
we operate; SMI invests watershed in the mining the economy maybe to
for the long-term in area. SMI plans to clear the point wherein we will
the Tampakan Project, 3,935 hectares of forest, no longer be a third world
which provides a basis including identified old country. Not going through
for social and economic growth rainforest for with it will preserve what’s
development in the region; the construction of an left with our environment.
and SMI aims to invest in 800-meter deep and Which one? Make a stand.
skills, education, health, 500-hectare wide open-pit.
social and enterprise It has a 300-meter high and Sources (http://www.pg.com/fr_
development. 500-hectare wide waste FR/downloads/annual_reports/
PG_2010_AnnualReport.pdf),
However, no matter rock storage where an
Inquirer News
how good the numbers estimated 1.6 billion tons
look, SMI faced a lot of of toxic waste rock will be
at en ews speci al issue 15

16. S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
S
amantha Sotto once gave the people a better
said in her book life- a faster, easier and
Before Ever After, more convenient way to do
“Life is a trade - a barter of things. Today, most of the appears
choices and consequences. things happen in an instant. that something
Nothing you have is It is possible because is trying to get back
without a price paid by mining has provided the what the people owe. It is
yourself or someone else. people with more than true that mining gives the
Some days you will get their needs. Everyone people a lot but the more
more than what you paid has made the most out they receive, the bigger
for and on others you will of the products given by the challenge is for the
pay more than what you the said activity, directly choices made entail one’s
should.” In a way, mining or indirectly. However, it responsibility.
16 m in d t he now

17. MIND
T H E
NOW
The challenges that entail the
multi-million peso industry
BY KATHLEEN PASTRANA, JENNY
MAE SALDAÑA, CLEMARIE SECUYA &
ALMIRA JANE VILLEGAS
at en ews speci al issue 17

18. Photo/sierrafoothillsreport.com
Mind the now
Economically
speaking
How the mining industry
affects the market
M
INERALS PLAY in areas rich in these indirect employment
a major role in resources. opportunities for
the pursuit of The Philippines, endowed labourers in the local
great innovations. Today’s with the bounties of area. Since mining
generation is proof that nature, is known to be projects are supposed
everyone benefits from home to reserves such to help the locality for
it, whether consciously as chromium, coal, its social development
or unconsciously. Copper copper, gold, nickel and function, investing on
and aluminium are needed other minerals. With infrastructures, roads and
to carry electricity to our an estimate of 5 million other social amenities
homes and offices. It takes hectares of mineralized surrounding the mining
products manufactured lands, the country is sites are sort of a
from minerals to keep said to have a staggering requirement for mining
iPods, Mp3 players, and $840 billion worth of firms. Other than that,
cell phones running. mineral wealth. Ideally, the taxes collected from
As standards of living the mining industry mining are claimed to be
rise globally, so does could have brought of significant value to the
the demand for mineral significant contribution total revenues collected by
resources, compromising to the Philippines the government.
the environment especially in its economic However, contrary to
with the depletion of development. Looking in all the supposed benefits
mineral deposits and the positive aspect, mining coming from these mining
the exhaustion of mines could generate direct and activities, there is little
18 m in d t he now

19. significance as and poverty as well. Even other economic sectors
to the changes though the Philippines such as agriculture,
it has brought exports minerals, fisheries and tourism, it
to the macro- processing of these makes no considerable
economy. For one, deposits do not happen benefits to the local
it has relatively low domestically most of the economy as a whole.
labor-output ratios. time. That’s why mining- Although the revenues
Since the labor generated employment collected from the
compensation has reached only an mining firms form part
from this sector average of 177,000 as of the national budget,
only amounts of 2009 and less from it should be stressed out
to 13.3% against the previous years. The that the government
20.7%, it can only contribution these mining can only collect 2% of
give an average activities have made to the excise taxes from these
labor absorption economic growth of the firms’ total output.
index of 0.64. In other country has reached only Thus, the government
words, the employment an average of 1.44% since revenues coming from
opportunities created out 1975. mining activities are not
from mining activities are Since mining activities significant compared to
not enough to alleviate the desecrate and deplete the income generated by
problem in unemployment natural resources affecting the investors out of our
UP CLOSE
Food vs. Mining
THE EARTH has been gifted the safety of the future
with enough resources to generations has been set
feed its inhabitants. People aside. The desire to improve
are sometimes under the the present overshadows the
impression that they will idea that the future’s needs
never run out of these are valuable, too.
resources, so they take their The Philippines, as a tropical
abundance for granted. country, has lands suitable
Circumstances define our for growing and harvesting
needs, and sometimes to be different crops. It also has
able to meet those needs, numerous fishing areas
people find ways to acquire that provide a wide range
them. These ways, no matter of fish species and marine
how great they seem to be resources. Tampakan,
in people’s minds, are not a municipality found in Farmers incorporate rice straw
back in the field Photo/Isagani
entirely contributing to the the province of Southern
P. Serrano IRRI
improvement of the earth’s Cotabato, is a good example
life. The need for food should of a place gifted with of Mindanao because it is
always be met with support resources like fiber, corn, one of the major suppliers of
for the life of both animals pineapple, rubber, coffee, food all over the Philippines.
and people. However, rice, bananas, and a lot more. It contains vast agricultural
through the constant use and South Cotabato has been areas and numerous rivers
abuse of modern technology, labelled as the Food Basket that enable them to grow
at en ews speci al issue 19

20. Copper ore Photo/John Zander
resources.
Since the 2004
nullification of some
provisions of the
Mining Act of 1995,
foreign investors started
participating in mining
projects in the country.
As a result, foreign direct
investments increased
and the inflows of foreign
currency are continually
growing making the
Philippine peso stronger
in the markets. But these
Hard rock open-pit mine Photo/mining-law-reform.info
crops and at the same time located around 65 kilometers gold poses a threat to them.
provide a stable water supply north of General Santos City Aside from jeopardizing
for drinking and irrigation to mine copper and gold. the health and safety of
purposes. The condition of SMI claims that pursuing the people living in the
the soil that surrounds the this project will greatly villages near the mining site,
place is also appropriate contribute to the progress of agricultural lands are also
for raising animals such as the country’s economy. threatened. The food that
ducks, chickens, pigs, and Despite the function of they take is in danger of being
cattle. People dwelling in this copper in the production exposed to these toxins. The
place are fortunate enough of things like gadgets and crops produced will lose their
to have easy access to these household appliances, some health value, and over time, it
resources. people like Church leaders may even stop its production
However, upon finding out and local officials combat the because the environment
that Tampakan also contains idea of the Tampakan Copper will no longer be fitting for
one of the biggest copper Project. A great number of growing them. If this were
deposits in the Southeast people will suffer if this will to happen, the people will
Asia-Western Pacific region, be pursued because the lose their means of livelihood
mining companies such methods used in mining which has not only served
as the Sagittarius Mines involve the use of toxins. them, but also most of the
Inc. (SMI) developed the Even the option to consider people in the Philippines.
Tampakan Copper Project the use of cyanide to extract These toxins will result to
20 m in d t he now

21. events have created resources may result Minding these conditions,
negative impacts on other negatively in the future. If the government should
local resource sectors for mining will be extensively consider the creation of
they decrease the price practiced, then the activities that promote
competitiveness of goods. opportunity costs would the development of
What’s worse is that when increase as well because local industries instead
our local currency rises in mining activities hinder of mainly focusing on
value, there is a tendency the public from using resource-exhausting
that other nations won’t resources that should have projects that do not only
be able to afford our been used in agricultural create irreparable damage
exported goods. Thus, a or manufacturing to the environment but
decrease in the export of purposes. Though the negative social impacts as
manufactured goods and increase in the number well. Since we are still a
increase in the import of of foreign investments developing country, it will
products happen. coming from mining not help the economy if
With the extent of the can be considered as a the limited resources we
mining activities in the comparative advantage in have left will be wasted
country, the comparative favour of the Philippines, with the false assumption
advantages the Philippines social setbacks can still be that the Philippines is
might get out of it seem a deterring factor. growing economically.
fewer than the opportunity Since minerals are non- Instead of exploiting
costs incurred. Though renewable resources, the country’s natural
it is true that the country the main problem that resources, establishing
has a great potential for the government is facing firm laws and policies
economic growth with – aside from ensuring would be the first step to
mineral deposits on hand, responsible practices in attain the rapid growth we
the exploitation of these mining – is sustainability. desire for the Philippines.
air and water pollution—the mining can also put the food mining activities to the food
cause of the deterioration of security of the whole region industry outweigh the good
the quality of different water at risk. An example of this is it does to the economy of
resources such as fish, which the fruit plantations found in the country. Indeed, mining
is considered a staple food. Tampakan. These plantations comes with consequences
In a town in Sultan Kudarat will be affected, resulting to a that are difficult to battle. If we
called Lutayan, for instance, decrease in the production of allow ourselves to surrender
people depend on the fish- fruits. There is no guarantee to the consequences, we
pen industry found in Lake that the once fertile lands would find it hard to undo
Buluan. Geologists found out will not lose its ability to be what has already been
that the mine dumps, residue, productive. People will have done. The effects are long-
or the left-over materials no choice but to eat food lasting, and it is up to our
of the mining activity will that might have lost most of efforts to prevent them from
drain into Lake Buluan. If its nutritional value. This will happening.
this happens, the water will not help in the progress of
become polluted and it will the food industry, especially
be harmful for the people to in a place where most of
eat the fish and other marine the residents depend on
resources coming from it. agriculture as their main
Aside from the destruction source of living.
of river systems, the impact of The harmful effects of
Photo/blah2blah.blogspot.com

22. Mind the now
Health than
Wealth
Can we still say that
there are “benefits” in
mining?
An open-pit mining facility Photo/Stapanov Alexander
M
INING DOES not to gangrene in the hands other toxic material.
only affect one’s and fingers. It can also Fumes are emitted by the
economy, but it cause digestive problems chemicals being used or
also affects one’s health. due to the constant shaking by the machines that are
According to the Institute of internal organs, heart employed during mining
of Occupational Health problems and disruption operations. This, coupled
and Safety Development of the nervous system. with poor ventilation may
(IOSHAD), it is due to the Repetitive Stress trigger accidents and may
nature of mining that Injury (RSI) is caused result in the death of the
miners are constantly by overloading of a workers.
exposed to intense heat particular muscle Hearing impairment
due to poor ventilation. group from recurring and/or disruption of
Miners usually have fluid use or maintenance of body functions like blood
and salt deficiencies due constrained posture. circulation and hormone
to constant sweating, Miners who suffer from imbalance are caused by
increased stress on the this usually complain noise or irritating and
heart, heat stroke, and from weakness of affected hazardous sounds, which
reduced fertility due to muscles, heaviness, “pins are inevitable with mining
high temperature. and needles” sensation, operations. Inaudibility
Poor ventilation causes and numbness. and hearing loss may
the brain to malfunction Mines also expose become immutable. Other
and may lead to death workers to different non-auditory effects are
especially in underground types of airborne increased blood pressure
operations. Vibrations can particulates. These make and peptic ulcer due to
cause permanent bone the workers vulnerable increased gastrointestinal
damage and vibration to systemic toxic effects motility.
syndrome, also known due to the absorption According to a study
as the “dead finger” of lead, manganese, conducted by the United
syndrome, which can lead cadmium, zinc, and Nations: Department
22 m in d t he now

23. of Economic and Social diseases. Liquid waste personal protection had
Affairs last August 2007, that is generated after been used. One example
mining also causes water the metals or minerals of skin illness brought
pollution. This is due to have been extracted is by mining is dermatitis.
the toxic mine tailings that disposed of in a mining Dermatitis is a skin
are usually impounded pit. When the pit gets filled inflammation usually
in tailing dams. When up by mine tailings, they caused by allergic reaction
the pressure in the tailing become a stagnant pool of to specific allergens.
dams builds up, especially water. This pool of water, Chemicals, allergens in
during times of heavy if not treated properly, dermatitis, associated
rainfall, mining companies might cause water-borne with mining are factors of
drain their tailing dams of diseases. This might also dermatitis.
waters, or worst, face the be the breeding ground of Aside from the miners,
risk of having it burst or deadly mosquitoes, which people in the nearby
collapse. In either case, cause diseases like dengue communities are also
the tailings will have to or malaria, endangering greatly affected. People
find their way out thus not just the lives of miners living near mining areas
polluting the water, river, but also other people in may get a disease called
and adjacent lands. the community. Silicosis, which is a form of
This happened in Mining also triggers the occupational lung disease
Mankayan, where the Abra spread of skin diseases. that is caused by inhalation
River before the mine was After all, most chemicals of crystalline silica dust.
deep and narrow prior associated with it are skin It is certainly true that
to mining operations. It hazards. According to a mining causes some
was five meters wide and study entitled Selected health-endangering
abundant with fish and Health Issues in Mining effects basing from the
surrounded by verdant conducted by R. Larry aforementioned facts.
rice paddies. Now, there Grayson and Douglas Mining therefore is
is a wide abyss of barren F. Scott, there are more beneficial if we close
land on either side of the than 350 skin illnesses our eyes from the grave
polluted river. Fruit trees associated with poison destruction it carries with
and animals have died oak/poison ivy and dust it.
from the poisoned water. which are said to be the
Mining does not only major contributors to skin
cause water pollution but disorders. It may have
also brings water-borne been prevented if proper
UP CLOSE
Mining Facts BY URSULA CALIPAYAN Boac Rivegr
-adb.or
IN THE infamous Marcopper disaster Photo/forum
of 1996, on Marinduque Island, a mine
tailings spill more than four million metric MANY HUMAN rights and environmental
tons of waste that caused widespread activists who were against mining were
flooding and damage to farm lands and victims of extra-judicial killings.
property. Villages were evacuated and MINING OPERATIONS invariably evicted
an estimated 20,000 people along the indigenous peoples from mining sites and
Boac River were affected. The river was poses an imminent danger to indigenous
subsequently declared biologically dead. culture.
at en ews speci al issue 23

24. T
HE THIRD be undergone. Every
Law of action made by mining
M o t i o n companies is carefully
states that for studied and evaluated.
every action, Companies are obliged to
t h e r e ’ s secure an Environmental
always an Compliance Certificate
Environment equal and (ECC), which confirms
at stake opposite that a mining company
How mining affects reaction. had fulfilled the given
the environment In mining, requirements of the
the more Environmental Impact
minerals are Assessment (EIA). ECC is
drawn out, the a prerequisite set by the
greater the impact government for projects
to the environment and that are environmentally
the society. One question critical or near critical
must be figured out, what area. The purpose of these
happens next after the agreements is to mitigate
exploitation? future unwanted effects
Before a mining of mining. Given those
project starts, certain protocols, it is unfortunate
requirements must that the environment still
be complied first and suffers.
certain processes must Directly speaking,
UP CLOSE rich in all kinds of minerals.
Socially not-so-good For hundreds of years, they
spent their lives protecting
and preserving their heritage
THE GOVERNMENT will made possible. They get to is very important for a tribe.
most likely make a profit out sponsor different events, Most of them were born
of mining. It somehow boosts which people are glad to and laid to rest in their land.
the economy of the country. have. Aside from that, the places
Minerals found become However, at some point what being grabbed by mining
determinants of how rich consequently happens to companies are a source of
a country is in its natural the environment will have livelihood for the Indigenous
resources. For some, mining an effect on the people. People. They cannot fight
gives them food, shelter Even worse, culture is also against it when their right to
and clothing for it is their deeply affected. Indigenous ancestral domain has been
way of surviving financially. People are preserving their taken away from them. The
Even though some miners ancestors’ legacy. Places land taken away from them
have already met accidents, sacred for IP’s are being was their life.
they would still work back transformed into mining Mining is somewhat an
because it is their only way pits leaving them no choice eye-opener to the people. It
of supporting their families. but to let go of what it used would be pretty surprising
Through mining projects, to be. There is no doubt if people were not affected
different activities are also that the IPs home place is by it. The people may
24 m in d t he now

25. mining is a big contributor point to one main reason; be polluted. Pipe leaks
to the degeneration mining. The pulling out make toxins penetrate
of the environment. of stones and minerals the soil. If that happens,
Deforestation is the first involve several use of it will affect the chemical
step towards mining. machines and certain composition of the soil
Trees and some other chemicals. Because of making it unsuitable
plants are being cleared to this, wastes are inevitable. for planting. Mining
make way for the miners The wastes produced, if obliterates the beauty
to dig up minerals. What not disposed of properly, of the environment.
used to be vegetation and will greatly affect the land Mining leads to massive
mountainous portions of and water property of the exploitation of resources.
land are now flat plains. environment, thus making They say that small-scale
Residential areas are also it polluted. The chemical mining is more harmful
affected; decreasing in wastes, through pipes, than large-scale but the
size. The conversion is are discharged to nearby issue is not that what is
extreme. The destruction rivers, lakes and other more hazardous or not;
of the forests may lead bodies of water. Having it is that it contributes
to a big impact since the dams to serve as the catch to the damage of the
region affected by mining basin may also be risky. environment.
will most likely become a Everyone should be
disaster-prone area. It is aware that the wastes are
unsurprising nowadays toxic. It won’t be surprising
that many accidents or to see dead aquatic Left Mt. Matutum,
tragedies occur. If it is creatures floating; after all, South Cotabato Photo/
traced back, it will all their habitat will probably letters2mindanao.wp.com
participate in meetings, or views regarding certain effects of mining are all-
see the assessments and matters. encompassing, reaching a
attend workshops that are Mining causes a great shift, point that it affects everyone
given. Mining companies a big adjustment to all that in one way or another.
do have corporate social has life. Whether we like it Compared to the limited
responsibilities to take. or not, it somehow destroys resources available, people
Benefactors are mostly the balance among living have unlimited wants and
people living near the sites. organisms. Biodiversity is needs that can only be
Mining companies give at stake. All that lives has satisfied through these
scholarships, livelihood to fight for survival. Mining resources that are in danger
trainings and other projects creates a domino effect. of depletion if not well taken
that are beneficial to the What happens to a certain care of. Human beings are
people. Certain mining aspect affects the other. The created to guard and protect
groups do give back but the approach of mining to the the world but it is ironic that
real concern is; would it last people may be good, but we are the ones destroying
or just cover the present how would people act on the it. The sad truth is that no
situation? impacts associated with it? matter what the effects of
Other social impacts might Who’s going to be blamed? mining are, people can still
include the change in the After all, for every action, do almost nothing about
behaviour of people living there’s always an equal and it, since they are still the
near a mining site. It could opposite reaction. beneficiaries of the products
also be the change of lifestyle At the end of the day, the coming from it.
at en ews speci al issue 25

26. Balikatan Exercises
Photo/natoreyes.wp.com
Analysis
Mining & Human
Rights
Militarization, displacements & threats
BY PAUL RANDY GUMANAO
S
HE IS a nun. But Sister Stella Matutina, equipment in Claver,
because she stays OSB, Mr. Eliezer “Boy” Surigao del Sur in October
in the communities Billanes, and Dr. Gerry last year, the investment
more often than she is in Ortega are just few among defense force (IDF) has
her convent, the military the hundreds of leaders already been in existence.
detained her for eight who were repressed In a government press
straight hours in a barracks because of their advocacy release dated February
on February 16, 2009 against destructive 8, 2008, former Pres.
on the allegations that, policies. They are not Gloria Arroyo “instructed
instead of just praying against development, the Armed Forces of the
in her convent, she is but they are against Philippines (AFP) to create
organizing folks to become development aggressions an Investment Defense
rebels. that cause ecological Force (IDF) to protect vital
He was an environmental damage and a chain of infrastructure and projects
activist. But because human rights violations. from terrorists, including
he was a vocal critic of If a nun, an activist, and a the New People’s Army
the Xstrata-SMI mining doctor were not exempted and other rebel groups
operations in Mindanao, from repression, what who stand in the way of
he was tagged as “anti- awaits the ordinary people development particularly
development” and, while in the community who in the rural areas.”
buying a newspaper one cannot even defend their “The function of the
afternoon, was shot dead rights? Investment Defense
on March 9, 2009. Force,” according to the
He was a veterinarian. But Lumads say militarization press release, “is for the
because, instead of treating is number one military to give a protective
animals, he was more Even before Pres. Benigno shield to power assets,
passionate in broadcasting Aquino III ordered for a other infrastructures and
the environmental strengthened military and minerals development
destruction caused by paramilitary deployment projects.” President
large-scale foreign mining in mining areas after Aquino continues and
operations and called for members of the New strengthens the IDF.
a mining moratorium in People’s Army burned the The indigenous peoples
Palawan, he was shot dead three-billion peso worth or the Lumads, who stand
on January 24, 2011. of large-scale mining in the way of destructive
26 m in d t he now

27. and exploitative first. In most indigenous Lumads and 288 are non-
“development”, are communities where Lumads. The company,
the forefront victims of mining concessions are according to their
human rights violations, rampant, many Lumads Environmental Impact
particularly the right to life are being organized into Statement in April 2011,
and security. paramilitary elements has promised to pay the
In a 10-day mission in who are allegedly ordered residents to relocate them
Cordillera this month to be on duty for 24 hours without any complaints. It
dubbed as the Beaconsfield without pay to become even pledged to shoulder
Initiative of the United pawns in fighting against the dowries of would-be
Church of Christ in Canada, the so-called “enemies of grooms from the Lumad
the mission participants development”. communities so as to
encountered two citizens One of these paramilitary hasten the process of
belonging to indigenous groups organized by the eviction. This scheme is
people’s communities military was the Alamara- not just unique to Xstrata-
who were arrested without Bagani Force, which, SMI but a seemingly
charges by the soldiers according to the late Father standard operating
from the 50th Infantry Fausto “Pops” Tentorio, procedure among all
Batallion of the Philippine PIME, was responsible for mining concessions.
Army. Mssrs. Edward his near-death experience Towns and cities will
“Kiwet” Galao, 30, a in 2003. Alamara-Bagani be the new homes of the
farmer from Concepcion, Force wanted to kill Fr. Lumads. Here, they will be
Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, Pops for being a staunch forced to eke out a living
and Hilario Bantew, 42, opponent of destructive and become the poorest of
a resident of Mankayan, projects in Arakan Valley, the poor. Worse, they will
Benguet, were detained North Cotabato. end up becoming beggars
since September last year Overall, the fate of the and slum dwellers laughed
and the Beaconsfield Lumads in a militarized at and abused by many.
Initiative finds it illegal community is either For the indigenous
and morally wrong. getting recruited to the peoples, “Our land is our
Illegal arrest and paramilitary, or getting life. Take it away from us,
detention of members of harassed for not being and we will die.” Not only
the local communities “supportive” to the the physical body of our
who resist the operations military’s efforts to pave Lumads will perish, but
of large-scale and the way for the entry of their rich cultural heritage,
export-oriented mining large-scale mining and too, when their ancestral
are widespread in the even logging concessions. domains are mined. The
Philippines, especially Lumads themselves are
in Mindanao. According Away from home: eviction treasures that are more
to Dulphing Ogan, from the ancestral land valuable than any copper
secretary-general of and transgression of the or gold. The Indigenous
Kusog sa Katawhang right to self-determination People’s Rights Act (IPRA)
Lumad (KALUMARAN), In Kiblawan, Davao del provides that no mining
a Mindanao-wide Sur and Tampakan, South operation is allowed
organization of Lumads, Cotabato alone, where in ancestral domains
if they were to rate the Xstrata-SMI operates, without the free, prior and
different forms of human 870 families have been informed consent of the
rights violations against targeted for eviction from Lumads. The question,
indigenous peoples, they their communities. Of however, is whether the
would mark militarization these, 582 families are consent of the Lumads
at en ews speci al issue 27

28. is free from coercions, threatened as agricultural multinational companies
threats and bribes, and lands in the region face for them to fully-exploit
well-informed prior to the wide-scale pollution and the people’s patrimony.
mining operations. destruction. The absence Most critics of the RA
According to anti-mining of genuine land reform 7942 say that some of
advocates, the efforts of and the lessening land- the provisions of the act
the mining companies to productivity caused are clear impositions of
offer free education to by pollution, force the the General Agreement
Lumad children is a trash already-burdened farmers on Tariffs and Trade-
when they no longer have to leave their farms, some World Trade Organization
a community to go back would become small-scale (GATT-WTO). Along with
to, when they no longer miners. the plans to liberalize,
have the right to self- privatize and deregulate
determination to forward. The national sovereignty our markets as part of
The effort to provide and patrimony at the general architecture
jobs to Lumad parents the mercy of foreign of globalization, the
is shallow when nature, monopoly capitalists continued full-offering
where they really find a If large-scale and of our mineral deposits
living, is wasted. destructive mining poses to foreign corporations
a big threat to the people, make the Philippines a
The quest for a balanced why does the government prostituted nation that
and healthful ecology allow and even encourage provides pleasure to
Just this January 5, tons its operations? dominant economies
of soil and rocks buried The Philippines is home while it suffers from risks
to death around 40 to $840 billion worth of incurable maladies.
individuals in a landslide of untapped minerals. The bottomline is that,
in Sitio Diat, Napnapan, If the government the Philippine mining
Pantukan, Compostela fully implements the industry is not really a
Valley. The place is a zone Philippine Mining Act of Filipino industry, and the
for small and medium- 1995, according to the Philippine economy is
scale mining operations. Chamber of Mines, the not a sovereign Filipino
Landslide is just one. Philippines could increase economy.
The more alarming its mineral exports from
environmental impacts the present $500 million What the Filipinos really
of mining operations, annually to $2.5 billion. need
especially that of large- That, according to HSBC Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM),
scale, include removal of projections, would help one of the vocal critics of
rainforest communities; the Philippines make it to large-scale and destructive
greenhouse gas production the top 14 economies of mining in the Philippines,
from forest conversion, the world by 2050. said they are not totally
energy consumption But RA 7942, or the against mining, but the
and industrial processes; Philippine Mining Act of repressive mining policies.
increased flooding 1995, is believed to be an ATM, like all other
potential; heavy metal anti-people legislation that anti-mining crusades,
contamination of the is subservient to foreign recognizes the necessity of
water; increased acidity of monopoly capitalists. minerals in the sustenance
soil and water; changes in The Philippine’s current of the humanity.
drainage morphology; and mining policies place PANALIPDAN-Mindanao,
many more. the country’s natural another environmental
Even the food security is resources in the hands of NGO, said that the country
28 m in d t he now

29. Davao del Norte 25th IBPA 67th IBPA
60th IBPA
72nd IBPA Compostela Valley 701st IBdePA
1003rd IBPA 66th IBPA
71st IBPA
69th IBPA 28th IBPA
84th IBPA Davao Oriental
39th IBPA UP CLOSE
1001st IBdePA Mining Development
1002nd IBdePA Areas & Military
27th IBPA Davao del Sur Deployment Areas
under Oplan Bayanihan
73rd IBPA
needs a National Mining North Cotabato, Sultan expressions of our
Plan and a National Kudarat, Sarangani, resistance. We can do this
Industrialization Program. General Santos and through caravans, march-
By planned, they mean Davao del Sur, shares the rallies, petitions, pickets,
mining only what and following courses of action signature campaigns,
how much is needed by for the people to forward: texting, lobbying, and
the people, and mining Educate the people on barricades.
under stricter policies that large-scale mining and Build a strong and active
ensure environmental the disaster it will bring alliance against large-
sustainability, access to when not stopped. We scale mining not only
justice, and protection of must debunk all the lies throughout South and
human rights for affected and misinformation being Central Mindanao but also
communities. peddled about the mining in the entire archipelago,
SOCKSARGENDS activities. and even outside the
AGENDA, an alliance Organize all affected country.
of church-based NGOs, sectors and supporters for Support the People’s
peoples organizations, and a concerted action against Mining Bill for a just,
environmental advocacy large scale mining. sustainable and pro-
groups in South Cotabato, Launch Protests as people mining policy.
G EOGRAPHICALLY, the
Philippines does not
only have agricultural lands
of silver were reported
in 2010. 58, 412 metric
tons of copper content of
to boast of for the country concentrate and 19,312
also has mountains rich metric tons of nickel content
with metal and mineral of concentrate were also
resources. Metals like specified in the same year.
Chromium, Copper, Gold, Because of such
Who’s and Nickel and mineral fuels
like Coal can be found in our
abundance, different mining
companies are currently
who mountains.
Statistics also prove how
operating in the country.
These mining companies are
Looking into different rich we are in terms of these categorized into two: large-
mining companies in the mineral and metal deposits. scale and small-scale.
Philippines
An estimated production Companies with a large
BY MAYBELLE ANNE number of 40,847 kilograms number of employees
YUTIAMCO of gold and 41,004 kilograms belong to the large-scale
at en ews speci al issue 29

30. mining category. These and Philex Petroleum Lepanto Consolidated
companies are operating in Corporation, handling the Mining Company
one to two large sites and oil and gas business. Lepanto is a mining
stay until all the metal and The Company, Philex Gold company primarily involved
mineral deposits are already Philippines, Inc., Silangan in gold bullion production.
exhausted. Small-scale Mindanao Exploration This company yields gold
mining companies, on the Co., Inc. and its subsidiary, minerals from the Victoria
other hand, only involve a Silangan Mindanao and Teresa deposits in
small number of people. Mining Corporation, Inc., Mankayan, Benguet.
These people are oftentimes are centrally involved in Lepanto has secured a total of
considered as a pack of large-scale assessment, 46-patented mining claims
nomadic miners since they improvement, and use of in Mankayan, Benguet.
travel together to look for mineral deposits. PGPI Just like Philex Mining
sites rich in minerals and controlled the Bulawan Corporation, Lepanto also
metals. mine in Negros Occidental has subsidiaries including
The following are just some till 2002. Currently, the Shipside, Inc., Diamond
of the mining companies Company runs the Padcal Drilling Corporation
and big names involved Mine in Benguet and SMECI, of the Philippines, and
in the Philippine mining represented by SMMCI, Lepanto Investment and
industry: operates the Boyongan and Development Corporation
Bayugo mineral resources. Lepanto also reports to
Philex Mining Corporation Philex Mining Corporation have spent over P 127.15
Philex Mining Corporation produced over 4,153 million on environmental
(the Company) subsidiaries kilograms of gold, 4,096 protection in 2010. 67% of
started in the country in kilograms of silver, and 16, the money went to tailings
1955. Philex is classified into 157 metric tons of copper dam construction and
two main business groups: content of concentrate last management for the mill
Philex Mining Corportation, 2010. tailings and wastewater
holding the mining business, treatments. The remaining
OPINION day-to-day needs. What makes
it wrong is the means on how
Why mining should not be in it is done.
my backyard BY JOHN KESSLER MISTERIO The irresponsibility of mining
operations in the country
WE HAVE already seen the mining permanently. After all, aggravates concerns from the
hazardous tragedy brought we cannot just deny the fact people that the multi-national
by mining operations in our that all of us benefited from the corporations label as agents
country. Many lives have been products of mining. against development.
lost and properties left wasted. The laptops that we use The practice tends to be
No wonder a lot of anti-mining today wouldn’t exist if there abusive, with several mining
movements have increased were no mineral ore deposits. firms claiming lands as their
significantly, protesting to stop The coins in our pocket are “mining areas” with the
all mining operations, may it made up of combined nickel, government’s approval as if
be in a larger or a smaller scale. copper, or zinc. Our highways it was their property. It is the
Who wouldn’t? Even the recent utilize metals which are mined, people’s property, and it’s
landslide that happened in not grown. Without mining, the place where indigenous
Pantukan is caused by mining there will be neither a bus for peoples have been residing for
malpractice. commuters, nor a car to take many decades. Most mining
But don’t get me the us to school or work. Mining companies even go beyond
impression that I want to ban is an essential activity for our that just to maximize their
profit.
30 m in d t he now

31. 33% was spent on Rapu-Rapu Processing
rehabilitation, reforestation, Incorporated (RRPI)
and resource management. RRPI is located in Rapu-
The Company also spent Rapu Island, Albay and is the
more than P 3.5 million on biggest private enterprise in
its Social Development and Albay with more than US$
Management Program. 100 million investments.
RRPP is the first mining
Atlas Consolidated company to operate after the
Mining And Development RA 7942 or the Philippine
Corporation Mining of 1995 was enacted.
Atlas was first incorporated Over 80% of the employees
in 1935. It is listed in the are from Bicol. It is also the
Philippine Stock Exchange mining company in the
and was listed in the Philippines to support the
American Stock Exchange Final Mine Rehabilitation
until May 1995. and Decommissioning Plan
Three subsidiaries (FMRDP) before its approval
were created in order to and was awarded with the Manuel V. Pangilinan
improve the Toledo Copper safest mining operation in Photo/planetphilippines.com
the Philippines in 2010. Page 29 Atlas Consolidated
Complex, Berong Nickel Mining & Development Corp.
Project and the Toledo-Cebu RRPI is a secondary Logo
Bulk Water and Reservoir producer of gold and silver Photo/blairezon
Project in 2004 and 2005. in the Philippines. The
Consequently, Carmen company reports to have tons of copper content of
Copper Corporation, produced 705 kilograms of concentrate and 9, 268
Berong Nickel Corporation, gold and 10, 480 kilograms metric tons of zinc content
and Aquatlas Inc. were of silver last 2010. It has of concentrate in the same
incorporated. also produced 5, 972 metric year.
In order to support the protects the interests of the promotion of one that
country’s economy, the the miners in the name of mines for the benefits and
government has opened its “development”, as some of needs of our country.
doors to investors, signing them secretly benefits from it. Mining isn’t bad. What makes
agreements and laws, and Getting a permit for it bad is the way it is done and
allowing these companies to operations in mining seems to operated, making it unsuitable
utilize the natural resources be culturally inclined. Instead to the current Philippine
of the Philippines. Republic of granting permits in the belief setting. If this kind of processes
Act 7942 seems to legitimize that it passed the standards continue, and if government
destruction of IP communities, for environment preservation officials would not be strict
environment, and of the food and several pre-requisites, enough in implementing
supply in the name of “profit”. the government seems to fall certain mining policies,
The law has become under the “palakasan” culture. then I can say, irresponsible
protectors of foreign mining As long as those in the position mining should not be on our
firms in extracting what is profit, the official role seems to backyard. The end can never
supposed to be ours. Poor and be one of camouflage. justify the means, and our
improper management has I say mining should not be collective efforts on begging
resulted in various problems in our backyard, if it poses a for responsible mining will go
leading to environmental and greater threat than benefit. on unless the right authorities
social issues. The civil society What we need is the repeal of will act in the name of integrity.
is strong in its stand against a law that instigates zero-sum
mining, while the government game for the Philippines, and
at en ews speci al issue 31

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