DENR okays 7 mining exploration permits

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Jose L. Atienza has approved seven exploration permits and is set to approve five more plus four mineral production sharing agreements (MPSA).

In an interview with The STAR, Atienza said that he has approved the issuance of exploration permits to Century Peak Corp; Minprocess Group, Inc.; Oceana Gold (Phils.) Resources Corp.; Sagitarrius Mines, Inc.; Masbate 10 Phils., Inc.; Masbate 13 Phils., Inc. and that of Saprolite Mining Inc.

The seven mining firms are expected to initially invest a total of P70.333 million for their exploratory and environmental work permits.

Still awaiting clearance and approval by Atienza is the MPSA applications of North Dinagat Mineral Resources Corp.; SR Metals, Inc.; Sinophil Mining and Trading Corp. and Atlas Consolidated Mining and Dev’t. Corp.

Those with pending application for exploration permits are Crew Minerals (Phils.) Inc.;  Tambuli Mining Co., Inc.; Bulawan Mineral Resources Corp.; Makilala Mining Company, Inc. and Semco Exploration and Mining Corp.

 Upon approval of the four pending MPSAs and five more EPs, the nine mining firms are expected to invest an initial P122.215 million for their exploratory and environmental work permits.

Century Peak Corp. is looking for nickel and chromite resources in its Loreto, Libjo and Dinagat mining sites in Surigao province. It will allocate P8.071 million for its exploration work permit (ExWP) and P810,000 for its environmental work permit (EnWP).

Minprocess Group, Inc. is exploring for magnetite sand and other resources in Dagupan City, Lingayen, Sual, Labrador, Binmaley and San Fabian, Pangasinan.

Minprocess is spending P5.04 million for its ExWP and P400,000 for its EnWP.

Oceana Gold (Phils.) Resources Corp. is exploring for gold, copper and silver in Prosperidad and Bayugan, Agusan del Sur and in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur.

The New Zealand-owned firm is setting aside P9.662 million for its EXWP and P966,250 for its EnWP.

Sagitarrius or SMI is looking for gold, copper and silver in Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and in Sarangani and Davao del Sur. SMI is investing P30.160 million for its ExWP and P3.02 million for its EnWP.

Saprolite Mining, Inc. is looking for nickel and chromite resources in Iba and Botolan, Zambales and will pour in P3.810 million for its ExWP and P495,000 for its EnWP.