Dilemma and decision in Tampakan

Last week, I visited the Sagittarius Mines’ site in Tampakan to find out for myself what was happening there. The visit came at the same time that a huge public consultation was taking place. It was organized by South Cotabato Governor Arthur Pingoy Jr. to put together the pro-mining and anti-mining groups to listen to experts on both sides. The auditorium was packed full. It was a good exercise in democratic decision-making.

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There is no argument that mining is a difficult industry but it is also necessary. We cannot think of modern life without the products of mining  the houses we live in, the cars we ride, electricity, computers, medicine etc. etc.  name it, all are in need of the products of mining. Therefore to use all these things and be anti-mining is hypocritical.

Ironically, the same industry has its environmental concerns and therefore should be rightfully addressed. That is the dilemma: How to extract the minerals necessary to daily living and yet ensure that the effects of mining do not unduly harm the environment.

The local officials of Tampakan headed by the governor and the provincial board have done well by gathering all stakeholders in a town hall meeting to address these concerns.

It is a difficult dilemma but not irreconcilable and should be faced. By doing so the residents of Tampakan can take advantage of the benefits of mining and at the same time monitor how it conducts its activities on their land.  

According to data submitted by government and Xstrata, the mother firm of SMI, Tampakan would be the biggest single investment in the country’s history.

If all goes well it will boost foreign direct investments. The Philippines has one of the lowest, if not the lowest number of direct foreign investment in Southeast Asia because of regulatory risks and the failure to uphold contracts and the law. The Philippines has become known as a very rich country but with such teeming poverty that its citizens are forced to look for jobs abroad.

Those who would stop progress and its benefits to the people of Tampakan are not doing them any favor. It would be better if they were to work hand in hand to make sure that Sagittarius Mines lives up to its promises. The sanctions are available if the mining group does not, but it will also require vigilance from the residents of Tampakan.

This is an opportunity to practice good governance by strictly implementing the law even as we lift the lives of our millions of poor.

It must be kept in mind that mineral resources are owned by the state and mining groups like SMI as it were is a partner in a joint venture to enable government to exploit the country’s resources. The mining group merely provides the technical know how and the funds to enable the state to make use of its resources for the benefit of its citizens.

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Many in the audience who understood mining’s effects on environment were pleased that SMI called on AECOMM experts to explain the repercussions of the project and how these will be tackled. They did their job well. They explained the effects on ground, air and water but some thought it was too technical for such an audience who were more inclined to be rabble roused.

Dr. Carlo Arcilla, a professor of Geosciences and director of the National Institute of Geological Sciences College of Science of the University said while SMI’s experts from AECOMM did better than the anti-mining experts in explaining mining technology, he wondered whether this was understood by the largely uneducated audience. He thought it would have been better if they had used the local tongue (not Tagalog) to rebut the anti-mining arguments.

He suggested that SMI build an office close to the foot and within the area of the tailings dam to show that they were committed to safety. “People do not understand volumes of studies, but a demonstration like this will prove a point immensely,” adds Dr. Arcilla.

Another suggestion was to use the expertise of local credible professionals to vet critical aspects of risks. He recommended Dr. Rebullida of UP Dept. of Political Science for conflict resolution studies, Dr. Glenn Tabios, Dr. Marc Zarco, Dr. Alexis Acacio, etc., of UP Institute of Civil Engineering to independently vet stability of tailings dams and Dr. CP David of UP NIGS to vet tailings studies. He could also help with process mineralogy.

“These people can verify the commissioned studies but will also have the language and credibility to explain to anyone in the Philippines the nature of the problems involved and their proposed solutions and risks,” he adds.

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He also wrote to this column that it is important to neutralize the book “Mining or Food”. This book was said to have been the basis for former Governor and now Congresswoman Daisy Fuentes to craft the open pit mining ban. It is based on assumptions and conclusions that can be easily refuted by local experts.

He echoed what many of us in the audience already perceived about the stance of the anti-mining consultants. They appealed to emotions and used old stacks of arguments that were more political than technical and past mining experiences that had nothing to do with Tampakan. It was like saying lets stop riding airplanes because some of them have crashed.

There is no reason why scientists cannot work with the religious and as someone said even the Pope has a committee of science experts to guide him on policies.

“We should be more afraid if after finding a defined and large deposit it should be left to small scale miners who will mine, using Hg, not respecting the environment, not paying taxes, and other harmful practices with impunity unlike a large and properly conducted mining operation that can be made answerable,” he said.

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The public consultation cum townhall meeting in Tampakan last week is to be welcomed. Indeed all opportunities to answer each and every one of the allegations against Sagittarius Mines Inc., and its mother company Xstrata, especially in the international arena, should be taken.

Sagittarius Mining must “clearly demonstrate the extent of the safety factors done in the water management and tailings control,” Arcillas said.

After discussions with stakeholders and satisfying legitimate queries, SMI will seek an environmental compliance certificate from the Environmental Management Bureau and then a Declaration of Mining feasibility from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The Tampakan project will be a good example of the will of local and national government to work together and advance the economy to help the country and its poor.