CMI reviving chromite mining site in Zambales

MANILA, Philippines — Consolidated Mines Inc. (CMI) is reviving a chromite mine in Masinloc, Zambales previously operated by Benguet Corp.

In a filing with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), CMI has proposed to mine 87,900 metric tons (MT) of chromite concentrate and 10,000 MT of lumpy ore annually in the Coto Chromite project.

It said the output will be for domestic and foreign use, particularly in metal foundries and other refractory uses.

The project – situated at Sitio Coto, Barangay Taltal in Masinloc – covers a total area of 745.53 hectares, of which the proposed Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) is 618.11 hectares.

The mine was operated by Benguet Corp. from 1956 to 2006 under an operating agreement with CMI as the mineral claim owner.

Since the operating agreement was terminated, the mine was placed under a care and maintenance program.

To revive the mine, CMI has estimated to spend P350 million to cover repair and restoration, equipment purchase and working capital.

The project has an existing mill plant used by Benguet Corp. while the haul roads used since the 1950s will be widened to service trucks.

“The project will utilize mining and milling equipment from the previous operator of the mine. This equipment will be restored, repaired and augmented by CMI,” the company said.

CMI said it will be using underground mining methods.

Previously, Benguet Corp. operated the mine using an open pit mining method until 1981 then shifted to underground mining as the ore became deeper.