Marañon favors large-scale mining ops

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said he is in favor of the operations of large-scale mining companies in this province, but not of small-scale “fly-by-night” firms. Marañon was referring to the Maricalum Mining Corp. and Philex Mining Corp. operating in Sipalay City, located in the southernmost part of Negros Occidental, because they will be a boost to the local economy and will provide jobs to Negrenses.

He also assured Negrenses, especially those opposed to mining, that the provincial government will keep a close watch to ensure that environmental protection requirements are strictly complied with.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said President Aquino is set to sign an executive order on mining. However, at least 40 provinces have banned large-scale mining operations based on the statistics of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

Salceda said that, according to the MGB, 40 provinces, mostly from eastern, western, and central Visayas, have approved ordinances restricting, regulating or totally banning mining.

Several big mining firms have been exploring southern Negros Occidental, particularly in the hinterlands of Sipalay City and Hinobaan town, for copper, gold, and other minerals. Among these are Philex, Maricalum and Selenga Mining Company.

Sipalay Mayor Oscar Montilla said his city is projected to earn P300 million in additional taxes annually, or P100 million per mining firm, if the three mining companies resume their operations there, which would also generate employment of 6,000 workers.

Montilla said Philex is now conducting exploration works, Selenga is working on its project study, but Maricalum, which still owes P50 million in taxes to Sipalay LGU, has no statement yet on who will take over its management.

In a related development, the Copper Development Corp., a firm based in United Kingdom, reported last month that the gross copper resource at its Hinobaan project site has increased to 339 million tons, based on the drilling conducted from 2010 to 2011 at the site.

This estimate represents an increase of 19.7 million tons at 0.35 percent copper for 57,000 tons of copper metal above the estimate announced in October last year.

On May 2011, Provincial Board Member Emilio Yulo III said the resolution of the Negros Occidental PB on a 25-year moratorium for large-scale mining in the province still stands, although it contradicted the opinion of Marañon.

The PB resolution opposes the existing and future applications of mining exploration permits, processing and approval of new mining lease contracts and agreements in the province for the next 25 years. But Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez said that 99 percent of the local officials of Sipalay City, where Maricalum and Philex mining are located, favored the resumption of these firm’s operations. - THE FREEMAN