Mining, export of mineral ores allowed amid lockdown

MANILA, Philippines — The government maintains that mining operations, including the export of mineral ores, are allowed despite the enhanced community quarantine.

This after anti-mining and green groups questioned the mineral ore export permit granted to Techiron Resources Inc. despite the imposed lockdown in Eastern Visayas.

“Until there is an official issuance from IATF (Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) and OP (Office of the President) against continued mining operations, you just continue,” Mines and Geosciences Bureau director Wilfredo Moncano said in a text message.

Last March 31, the MGB-Eastern Visayas issued the mineral ore export permit to Techiron for the export of 7,000 wet metric tons of chromite ore concentrate.

The exports worth P61.2 million are bound for China and were sold to Lee-Mah Trade Limited.

Techiron’s mineral production sharing agreement is valid until 2034. Its mine site is located in Homonhon Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Meanwhile, listed Nickel Asia Corp. said its subsidiaries Taganito Mining Corp. and Hinatuan Mining Corp. are now allowed to resume operations.

In a regulatory filing, Nickel Asia said Surigao del Norte Gov. Francisco Matugas has reversed his earlier order which suspended all mining operations in the province amid the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

In the latest order, there will be continued operations of export companies, including mining companies and mineral processing plants, and the entry of foreign vessels of export-oriented companies within the province will be allowed.

With the lifting of the suspension of mining operations in Surigao Del Norte, Nickel Asia will resume their mining operations and ore shipment activities.

Further, it will require foreign vessels chartered to deliver ores to their clients to strictly observe the quarantine guidelines mandated for the crew of the vessels and the stevedores loading ores onto the vessels.