28 Jul DENR Won’t Allow a 700-Hectre Open-Pit Mining in Mindanao
On Wednesday, July 27, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Regina Lopez maintained her defiant stance against the open-pit mining in Tampakan, South Cotabato.
She said in a press conference that day, “I will not allow the Tampakan project as long as it is planned as an open-pit mine.”
“Tampakan is on top of hundreds of hectares of agricultural land, the food basket of Mindanao, and you want to put a 700-hectare open-pit mine? I don’t care how much money they give us. It’s not worth it. Who is making the money here and who is taking the risk?” She added.
One of the pending proposals that are under review is Sagittarius Mining Inc. (SMI)’s USD 5.9 billion appeal to dig in Southeast Asia’s largest untapped resources, which is Mindanao. The area has an estimated yield of 11.6 million tons of copper and 14.6 million ounces of gold.
Lopez supports the wants of the Lumads in the area against the mining activities for it contaminates their water source there, affecting their livelihood as a result. She said, “Sususpindihin natin ang mga mining company na lumalabag sa batas.”
The DENR assured the Lumads that any company that goes beyond the mining and environmental laws and regulations would be suspended.
Sagittarius Mines Inc. in Tampakan, Sultan Kudarat; SR Metals Inc. in Tubay, Agusan del Sur; and Greenstone Mining and Taganito Mining, both in Surigao del Norte, as among those whose operations have seriously affected IP communities because of open-pit mining.
Militarization in the area has also been discussed as one of the reasons to cover up the illegal large-scale minings in the area.
Lastly, the conversation of the return of the displaced Lumads in their homes affected by these mining schemes has been addressed too.
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