Illegal settlers threaten livelihood of NV miners

MANILA, Philippines — More than 500 mine workers have asked the government to help settle the row between the resisting group of illegal settlers and miners and the FCF Minerals Corp. in Runruno, Nueva Vizcaya.

The workers, who recently staged a peaceful march from barangay Runruno to the municipal local government compound, are urging local officials to intervene to speed up the slow pace of mining operations in Stage 3 of barangay Runruno, an area covered by the Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) of FCF Minerals Corp.

“We want a peaceful resolution and settlement of the issues and concerns between the FCF Minerals Corporation, our group and the villagers who are residing in Stage 3,” said Joel Dulnuan, president of the workers’ union called Runruno Friends of Highland Group (RFHG).

The illegal settlers and small scale miners have continuously refused the ‘just’ compensation being offered by the mine firm and instead demanded huge payments way beyond the value of their illegally occupied land.

This prompted both parties to seek legal remedies.

James Carmichael, FCF Minerals country manager said FCF’s entry to Stage 3 area was legally authorized by the DENR-Mines and GeoSciences Bureau, (MGB) Mines Adjudication Board (MAB), junking the illegal settlers and miners appeal for higher compensation, among others.

He said the gold and molybdenum project has been delayed for more than two years due to the resistance of the illegal miners who brought the issue before the local courts.

Carmichael said with the slow pace of development in Stage 3, the company is bent on implementing a retrenchment of several workers soon. “This resistance and legal battle dragging for more than two years has resulted in huge losses of the company,” he said.