DENR issues ECC for Mindoro nickel project

CALAPAN CITY , Philippines  — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has finally issued an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for the controversial Mindoro nickel project of Norwegian-owned Intex Resources.

In a statement posted on its website last week, Intex Resources CEO Erlend Grimstad said DENR Secretary Jose L. Atienza has signed on Oct. 14 the ECC for the company’s nickel mining project in the central Mindoro Island.

The ECC process has taken over a year and consisted of baseline studies identifying all background values for flora, fauna, water and air, as well as the possible effects of the project to the environment, including mitigating measures.

In addition, social effects to the stakeholder communities have been analyzed by the National Government. A series of public hearings and consultations have also been held to give all stakeholders an opportunity to discuss and air concerns and opinions.

The project costs a little over $3 billion and with a tenement area of more than 9,000 hectares covering the mountainous areas of Victoria in Oriental Mindoro and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro.

“We are very pleased that this long and thorough process has finally led to the issuance of the ECC for Mindoro Nickel by Secretary Atienza. One of the most important milestones for this project has now been achieved,” Grimstad said.      – Juancho Mahusay