Mining, agriculture can co-exist, says Aussie exec

SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines  – Australian Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner Anthony Weymouth assured the municipal government of Tampakan that agriculture and mining can co-exist with responsible mining.

Weymouth was recently in Tampakan town this province where he met with Mayor Leonardo Escobillo and Gov. Arthur Pingoy.

“Tampakan is like a typical rural farming community in Australia where agriculture and mining have co-existed,” he said.

“We have a lot of green fields that produce wine. In the same area, there are lots of mining activities,” he added.

Weymouth cited Hunter’s Valley in New South Wales, Australia, which is both a major coal mining and wine-producing region.

The New South Wales region “is also one of the most visited places in the country, with visitors reaching 2.5 million people annually,” he said.

“Mining, agriculture, and tourism can all contribute to sustain a community,” he added.

During his visit, Weymouth also gave assurance that the Australian government will provide assistance to countryside development of the Philippines.

“Australia has a lot of things to help Philippine rural communities just like yours in responsible ways,” he said.

Weymouth said, “Mining has been an important component in Australia’s economic growth.”

“Despite the economic external shocks received from almost all corners of the globe, the Australian economy was able to grow with mining,” he said.

Records show that the mining industry in Australia contributed eight percent to the gross domestic product as of 2010-2011 and has been a major exporter of minerals such as iron, bauxite, copper, coal, and uranium.