Mining projects in N. Vizcaya safe from attacks, say police

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Mining projects in this mineral-rich landlocked province are safe from any threats from lawless elements.

Senior Superintendent Elmer Beltejar, provincial police director, said mining investors here need not worry as far as the security of their projects are concerned, as they have not been under threat from lawless groups, including communist rebels.

“As far as mining firms are concerned, they are (given assurance) of their security from attacks by communist rebels,” said Beltejar, allaying fears of possible raids by local insurgents as what their counterparts did against three mining firms in Surigao del Norte last Oct. 3. 

The Surigao attacks resulted in the burning of millions of pesos worth of equipment of the three mining companies, including Taganito Mines which has a nickel venture in Claver town.

“So far, we have not monitored any (New People’s Army) movements in these areas, (indicating) any plans of similar attacks on mining projects here,” he said.

Nueva Vizcaya hosts several government-sanctioned mining ventures, including two multibillion-peso, foreign-operated mining projects both set for full commercial operations by 2013. 

These two mining ventures are the Runruno gold-molybdenum project of the British-owned FCF Minerals Inc. in Quezon town’s remote Barangay Runruno, and the Didipio gold-copper project of the Australian firm OceanaGold Philippines Inc.

The Didipio project along the Nueva Vizcaya-Quirino mountain border was the first large-scale mining project approved under the revitalized Mining Act of 1995.

Earlier, the Army downplayed the possible beefing up of its forces in the province’s mining areas, saying their security is stable.

“We believe (the NPA) has no similar plans to raid mining firms here,” said Col. Miguel Puyao, spokesman of the Army’s Isabela-based 5th Infantry Division, citing the absence of intelligence reports on possible attacks.