Thursday, December 04, 2008 Groups welcome suspension of mine firm operations By Rimaliza Opiña
THE suspension of mining explorations in Itogon by the Anvil mining company drew mixed reactions from anti-mining groups.
While the development is a welcome relief, the Cordillera People’s Alliance (CPA) and Itogon Inter-barangay Alliance (IIBA) said this does not guarantee the mining firm will not resume operations.
Anvil suspended operations due to the global economic crisis. The price of copper is said to be selling low in the global market.
Still, exploration is being done in Barangays Ampucao and Poblacion in Itogon.
"Anvil may have taken the backseat for now but will definitely attempt to re-enter, as well as other companies - both new and renamed," said CPA deputy secretary general Santos Mero.
With government opening a liberalized policy on mining and mineral exploration, Mero said the mineral-rich province of Benguet is seemingly up for sale by government. There are now several mining applications in the province by various firms.
He said this resulted in the maneuvering of the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent, a process that requires an interested company and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to first obtain the consent of the community before any activity is undertaken.
"Thus, we reaffirm our call for a stop to all kinds of large and destructive mines in Itogon and Benguet," Santos said, recalling the recent sinking of Colalo village in Antamok because it sits on tunnels dug by Benguet Corporation.
Instead, Mero said the people of Benguet should be vigilant by resisting mining activities and disallowing any attempt at mining in their ancestral land and resources.
He also challenged officials of Benguet to be part of the people's struggle for the defense of land, life, and resources by imposing a moratorium on large and destructive mines in the province.
Anvil has a lease agreement with Itogon Suyoc Mines Inc., a commercial mining firm that shut down in mid-1990s apparently because of high operating costs and low production.
