Mining firm starts talks on Tampakan project

The company behind the controversial $5.9-billion Tampakan copper-gold project in South Cotabato has started engaging local governments in a series of road shows until August, a company spokesperson said Tuesday. In a media briefing in Pasay City, Sagittarius Mines Inc. corporate communications manager John Arnaldo said the company has consulted with stakeholders in the past two years. “Eventually, a decision has to be made. That’s why we made it a point to deliver an environmental impact statement (EIS) worthy of the approval of the host communities and the provincial governments as well," Arnaldo said. Meanwhile, South Cotabato Governor Arthur Pingol said he remains open to reviewing the environmental ordinance that bans open-pit mining in South Cotabato. “Until we have fully valuated and understood the content of the EIS, the open-pit ban stays. We might subject the ordinance for another review and come up with a recommendation later," Pingol said. Reacting to Pingol’s reported concern about the province’s future after the project, Arnaldo said, “Mechanisms such as corporate guarantees and bank letters of credit will ensure sufficient funds are available even after the mine closure." He added, “Livelihoods should and will persist as the company has already created the foundation in each of the communities that will host the project." In February, Sagittarius Mines expressed optimism that the South Cotabato provincial government will lift its ban on open-pit mining imposed by former South Cotabato governor Daisy Fuentes in 2010. Last year, an environment watchdog warned that the Tampakan project will continue to cause “flooding, decreased fish catch, and water pollution along the Cagayan River communities." — With Paterno Esmaquel II/VS, GMA News