The real face of mining

Anti-mining and environmentalists blame the recent tragedies in Compostela Valley and Camarines Norte and other areas on mining activities. They do not mention that the tragedies have been taking place on account of small-mining operations, and they renew their vengeful call for total banning of mining in the country.

With some of these environmentalists belonging to media networks, their call has been given wide publicity. The good news is that the President is said not to be intimidated into accepting this sector’s demand hook, line and sinker, and is open to recommendations of the mining industry on balancing the economic and ecological realities of mining. A talk with a member of the presidential committee on environment said that there are indeed areas in the country that are suited for tourist development, but there are those that must be explored for mineral extraction for economic development. In other words, the emphasis is on responsible mining, and not irresponsible call for a total ban on mining.

This is a sound reply to an environmentalist’s claim that there is no such thing, nor proof, of responsible mining.

At a recent Bulong Pulungan session, Caroline Tanchay, chair/CEO of a publicly traded company called Oriental Peninsula Resources Group, Inc. (ORE) and its subsidiaries, provided media persons an insight into her present and future outlook on the mining industry in Palawan, with particular emphasis on the beneficial role and contribution of the industry and her company to the province and the country. At the same time, she held no punches in dispelling and debunking what she considers as absurd, i.e. the generalization by NGO-environmentalists that mining is destroying the environment in Palawan, and therefore must be stopped. “This is unfair, outrageous and unthinkable,” she said.

Caroline serves as the chairman, CEO and president and chairman of the executive committee of Oriental Peninsula Resources Group Inc. which consolidates and operates companies that own mining tenements in the country. It is the majority owner of Citinickel and Development Corp. (CITINICKEL), a company that owns and operates two nickel mining projects in the municipalities of Sofronio Espanola and Narra in Palawan.

She said at Bulong Pulungan that as a company, “We are conscious of our corporate responsibility to protect the environment. We employ professional and technical personnel in agri-forestry and environmental management. We establish and operate seed banks and nurseries for trees of economic importance even ahead of our actual mining operation. We grow plants not only in the areas of our operation but also in areas found denuded by past irresponsible logging operations. We have already planted 200,000 trees of economic importance in line with our commitment to protect and make the environment healthy.”

Caroline continued that for those who are not familiar with the demography and living conditions of the people in the area and vicinity of ORE’s operations, ORE started doing business in mining operations in Palawan, when the source of livelihood was scarce, and majority of the people were poor. “Today, more than 1,000 persons are gainfully employed by the company, and we project that employment opportunities will grow to as much as 5,000 in the near future as we progress in our operation. This will immensely contribute to the development of ancillary businesses and sources of livelihood of the people in addition to its mining operations. In the same token, peace and order will be maintained, in addition to our major objective, mining.”

She said further said that ORE has already built an elementary school, and is helping to monitor the hiring of qualified teachers. It has set up and established an Information Technology Training program for young adults, which is an investment for the future. Conscious about the importance of the health of the community the company sponsors medical missions in nearby towns and communities around the vicinity of its operation in Palawan.

Caroline said ORE respects and supports the growth of the tourist industry in the province, particularly in Puerto Princesa. “Our mining operation does not negatively impact on tourism in Palawan, and therefore it is absurd, for anti-mining group to campaign for the closure of our mining operations. We are also environmentalists. We protect our forest. We protect watersheds. We understand how to preserve balanced ecology. We invested and risked a tremendous amount of capital to help our country progress, and we are positively contributing to the economic growth of the province, and the country for that matter. We do not subscribe however to the motive of this anti-mining group in its campaign for the closure of mining projects in Palawan that are very far from Puerto Princesa.”

Caroline said that out of 2,000 mining claimed areas, only a very small area is actually being mined. For instance, out of the total 2,000 hectares covered by ORE’s mining rights, only 14 hectares are actually being used as mining areas.

The management graduate of De La Salle University emphasized that the mining industry brings revenue to the country and provides some 200,000 to 300,000 jobs, and contributes about P88 billion in taxes annually to the national coffers of the country.

*      *      *

Televised footages show the extent of the damage wrought by the recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Negros Oriental. Bodies, wrapped in plastic bags, being carried by government personnel and volunteers, lifeless muddied bodies being extricated from piles of destroyed houses and landslides, cracked roads and destroyed bridges, people lining up for rations of water and food. The destruction has been total, the suffering and agony of victims who lost their loved ones and properties, heart-rending.

The municipalities of Jimalalud, La Libertad, Guihulngan and Ayungon in the first district of Negros Oriental have suffered the most from the calamity.  Congresswoman Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong has issued a call. Her appeal: “We are under a state of calamity — at least 45 of my constituents were confirmed dead, at least 70 still missing, and thousands are in pain over the loss of their loved, death are in trauma of the unexpected magnitude 6.9 quake that severely hit my province. The damage to infrastructure is initially computed at over a billion pesos. The picture of my District, which used to be vibrant, is now dim and gloomy, our people, in great desperation for everyone’s help.”

Help for the victims, in the forms of cash and goods — water, food, clothing — may be channeled through the congresswoman’s office at 9315922, 9315001 (local 7233), chief of staff George Alfred Terrado at 0905-3629275, and office secretary Norma Manuel at 0822-8636954. Contributions may be sent to Jocelyn S. Limkaichong, account no. 3400022351, BDO-Colon Branch, Dumaguete City, or through checks payable to Rep. Jocelyn. S. Limkaichong.

*      *      *

E-mail:[email protected]