Group opposes Batangas gold mining project

MANILA, Philippines - A multi-sectoral group has sought the suspension of pre-development works on a gold mining project in Lobo, Batangas.

The project proponents are MRL Gold Philippines and Egerton Gold Philippines.

The group is led by Coalition for the Preservation of the Verde Island Passage, composed of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation chairman Gina Lopez, Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner Reuben Muni and former Bayan Muna party-list representative Teddy Casiño.

It has also sought the cancellation of the mineral production sharing agreements involving the project.

Egerton Gold, meanwhile, said the project has the full backing of the barangays covered by the project.

The coalition claims the project would damage the  aquatic life in Verde Island Passage, a marine biodiversity spot, as it would cover 2,175 hectares of land comprising coastline barangays in Lobo.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is reviewing the merits of the petition.

Egerton Gold president Edsel Abrasaldo said all 10 barangays covered by the project had already granted their consent to the project, with the municipal council giving its green light on April 20.

“However, since then, anti-development advocates have been pushing them to reverse their support, even though the development of the project will generate approximately P600 million in taxes during its operation,” Abrasaldo said.

He said the coalition was ignoring the P270 million investment made by the proponents on environmental enhancement programs.

“Our mine will be run to highest international standards and rehabilitated on closure to provide excellent amenities and landforms in consultation with local wishes,” Abrasaldo said.

“In Lobo, this will include eco-tourism facilities established during the life of the mine that will continue to enhance the tourism potential of the region both during and after the mine has operated,” he added.

Australian miner Red Mountain Mining Ltd. also has a stake in the project.

Egerton Gold and MRL  obtained the mining and exploration permits from the DENR in 2006.

The conduct of the feasibility study for the project started two years ago at a cost of P90 million. 

Abrasaldo said their local and international consultants have designed a mine and processing facilities “to the best international standards which safeguard the people, the environment and the Verde Island Passage.”

“We recognize that the local government officials are caught between outside vested interest such as Gina Lopez and their own community interests,” he said.

“We sympathize with them. They have been subjected to intimidation and intense pressure by outside interests and they are concerned about this. We will deal in a fair, professional and friendly way with the municipal council as has been our practice for the past 12 years,” he added.