Benguet town execs OK mining project

By Dexter A See

ITOGON, Benguet – The municipal government has approved a proposal of the Itogon-Suyoc Resources Inc. to conduct mining exploration in Barangay Ampucao, this town.

The exploration is intended to validate the presence of sufficient mineral ore deposits that would warrant the resumption of large-scale mining operations.

The endorsement by the municipal government came after the officials of Barangay Ampucao interposed no objection to the exploration project.

The mining firm may now proceed with its exploration project without the need to secure the free and prior informed consent (FPIC) of affected communities because the barangay officials had already conducted consultation with their constituents before they arrived at the "no objection" position.

It was learned that the barangay officials recognized the validity and legality of the company’s existence and its rights to conduct exploration in the metes and bounds of their village.

The company plans to explore in its mining claims either by itself or by another entity.
The firm will conduct the exploration together with Anvil Philippines with which it has forged an exploration development agreement.

Records show that the mining lease contract of Itogon-Suyoc in Barangay Ampucao will expire in September 2012.

The municipal council cited in its resolution endorsing the exploration project that it recognizes and fully supports the collaborative initiative and efforts of the barangay officials, community and company representatives in pursuing, formulating, and institutionalizing mutually acceptable terms and commitments to resolve satisfactorily project-related issues and concerns through dialogues.

Mining continues to be the main source of livelihood in this town because of the presence of large-scale and small-scale mining operations in the different barangays.

The Cordillera, particularly Benguet, is considered one of the mineral-rich areas in the country, but large-scale mining operations have encountered obstacles because the people are fed up with the unfulfilled promises of some mining companies. They do not want a repeat of their bad experiences.

The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) requires companies intending to exploit and utilize the resources of a certain area to first secure the free and prior informed consent of the affected indigenous communities before pursuing their projects.