Benguet Corp has not abandoned its minesites

Benguet Corp. has not abandoned its mine sites in Benguet and Zambales, contrary to a recent report by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), a top company official said.

Reynaldo Mendoza, Benguet Corp. vice president and assistant corporate secretary, clarified that the company continues to operate the Coto (Masinloc) mine site in Zambales and the Antamok mines and Benguet gold operation in Itogon, Benguet.

These mining properties were among those cited last month by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Elisea Gozun as inactive and abandoned mines which the government would rehabilitate and turn into productive assets once again.

But Mendoza pointed out that the Masinloc mine is "neither abandoned nor inactive as it continues to operate as it has done so for the last 70 years."

"The Masinloc mine boasts of the best preserved and maintained natural environment in the industry," he stressed.

Mendoza added that Benguet Corp. has also resumed mining in Benguet province with the reopening of the Acupan mine site in partnership with small-scale mining cooperatives through contract mining.

"This project has allowed the additional employment of 1,000 people from the community," said Mendoza, adding that with the recent rise in metal prices, particularly gold, the company would seek to further expand production.

In the case of the Antamok mined-out open pit, Mendoza said the company is proposing its conversion into a water reservoir in preparation for Benguet Corp.’s participation in the bidding by the Baguio Water District for the supply of bulk water to Itogon and Baguio City.

He noted that only the Dizon copper mine has been turned over by Benguet Corp. to its claim owner Dizon Copper Silver Mines Inc., which has assumed total responsibility and control of the said mine site since 1997.

"Benguet Corp. continues to be supportive of the policy of the government to protect the environment through sustainable and responsible mining," Mendoza said.