Mining in Nueva Vizcaya in full swing

BAGUIO City, Philippines - Despite protests, commercial mining operation is now in full swing in the upland Didipio in Kasibu in Nueva Vizcaya.

Oceana Gold Philippines (OGPI) officials have formally declared that the gold and copper project, which is being protested for alleged offenses against indigenous peoples’ rights, has reached the commercial production stage.

The plant has so far produced 7,251 ounces of gold and 3,866 tons of copper during the first three months of the year, which is on-target with the projected annual production rate of 2.5 million tones after its date of commercial production on April 1.

Mick Wilkes, OGPI’s chief executive director and managing director, said they had shipped their first concentrate from the San Fernando Port, La Union and the second shipment is imminent.

“Commissioning of Didipio continues to advance well and we are beginning to realize the positive cash flow from the operation having made one shipment in early April and the next shipment expected soon,” Wilkes said.

More than 13,000 tons of copper-gold concentrate is in storage in Didipio and at the port and mining activities continue to perform well with a large inventory of ore on the ROM pad, the private mining firm’s official said.

“Our transformation into a multi-national producer with lower costs continues to progress as planned,” Wilkes said.