MERGED: Mining Issues

[grabehbebe]

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Joint foreign chambers support development of RP mining industry

The Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) lauded yesterday the government’s continued support of the local mining industry amid calls to close the company responsible for a mine tailing spill at Rapu-Rapu island in Albay and to repeal the current mining law.

In a statement, the JFC welcomed the government’s avowed policy to continue fostering a "responsible" mining industry and called on the government to continue to provide a healthy environment for local and international business and mining communities.

"The JFC fully supports President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her efforts to develop mining. So it is with some concern that (we note) recent events have had the potential, not just to halt mining revitalization, but to send it into reverse," the JFC said.

The chamber said the mining sector can be a major contributor to future economic growth by generating jobs in the provinces and bringing revenues to the government.

"Mining can be a major job creator and a developer of communities in some of the poorest areas of the country. It can also pay the government royalties that can be used for programs that enhance the country’s economic and social development," its statement said.

The JFC said that of the $1.8 billion in foreign investments generated last year, a total of $140 million came from the mining industry.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200606060415.htm

[lalakingbisdak]

See another jobs available coming. Move the salary up and up and up please!

[grabehbebe]

The news said that RP's mining Laws is better than with those developed countries in terms of mineral producers like Canada, US, UK and Australia. CMP President Benjamin Romualdez noted that it is clear that Philippines is even superior compare to those successful countries when it comes to laws regading the protection of Indegeneous People, Protecting the Environment by exercising corporate and social responsibility and in granting mining licenses....Â* :mrgreen:

News Article: http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200606070703.htm

[wanderlust]

They have to watch out for those small mining companies that are more likely to violate environmental safeguards. Sustainable mining can be done, with the use of proper technology.

[grabehbebe]

that is so right...the government should put mining on the top of the list of their priorities. Maybe that is why the palace has directed the DENR to do a scientific studies on Mercury Contamination of the waters in Albay and sorsogon because of the Lafayette mining project.

They said that this order came up after the Bishop in Sorsogon admitted that his recommendation to close the Lafayette project was only based from conscience and not on science.

Grabe naman pla nagawa nitong Lafayette na ito... ano ba yan...Atleast our government is doing something to solve the problems.

[wanderlust]

that is so right...the government should put mining on the top of the list of their priorities. Maybe that is why the palace has directed the DENR to do a scientific studies on Mercury Contamination of the waters in Albay and sorsogon because of the Lafayette mining project.

They said that this order came up after the Bishop in Sorsogon admitted that his recommendation to close the Lafayette project was only based from conscience and not on science.

Grabe naman pla nagawa nitong Lafayette na ito... ano ba yan...Atleast our government is doing something to solve the problems.

Actually, the local government there now want Lafayette to continue its operations because the management has been replaced and the new one seems sincere in rectifying the past management's neglect and collaborating with the locals in programs for the upliftment of the community.

As you say, the bishops has not been very objective in his assessment of the situation. Most of those who are against the Mining Act are hardly objective in their stand. What they call the harm done to the environment are usually caused by other factors but not by the mining itself.

[grabehbebe]

Gov’t targets $122M from mining this year

The government said it seeks to lure mostly foreign firms to invest $122 million in mining projects this year.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau said targeted investments were on top of the $500 million previously placed by firms in 24 projects since 2005 as part of a program to revive the local mining industry.

Benjamin de Vera, head of the bureau’s minerals economics division, said firms have so far invested a total of $47.91 million from January to May this year.

He said the government’s move allowing Lafayette Mining Ltd. to conduct a 30-day test run starting on July 10 on its copper and gold mine on a remote island in the Philippines was welcomed by investors.
Lafayette’s Rapu Rapu project was closed since October last year due to pollution violations.

The mine, the first to be developed by a foreign firm in almost 40 years, is among the 24 priority projects identified by the government to jump-start the revival of a nearly moribound local mining industry.

The government says the Philippines has $1 trillion worth of untapped gold, nickel, copper and other mineral wealth.

But many foreign firms have been put off by political turmoil, corruption, insurgencies in the resource-rich south and opposition by churchmen and indigenous groups.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/business/20060719bus6.html

[wanderlust]

I dont favor mining. Makadaot sa environment and health. Kurikongon lang ang mga tawo. Look at Lafayette.

That's because of neglect, not because of the mining itself. Mining can be carried out with appropriate safeguards and with the mining company working with the community in the environs of the quarry so that the interests of the latter are protected.

[wak_wak]

for me its ok to mine, its an added revenue to our country.. dapat lang closely monitored ang operation para di pud ma daot ang environment..

[wikki]

mining is ok, as long as it is properly done with minimal damage, theres no such thing as no damage in a mining operation.