$1-B nickel mining project awaits indigenous peoples' permit

The proponent of a $1-billion nickel processing project in Brooke’s Point, Palawan said it has secured an environmental clearance certificate (ECC) from government but its permit from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) remains pending. MacroAsia vice-president for Mining Operations Ramon Santos said Wednesday they hope the NCIP permit would be out this month or by October, “so we can start with the process of opening up the mine." He said the Lucio Tan-led mining firm has a working capital of $20 million for the project, “although, we are open for co-investment." The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said the Infanta nickel ‘orebody’ has an estimated 88 million metric tons of nickel ore with a grade of 0.5 to 2 percent. MacroAsia intends to mine up to 1 million metric tons nickel ore a year from the site. It was one of the firms represented in the 200-strong business delegation that joined the state visit of President Benigno Aquino III to China from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1. MacroAsia and Jinchuan of China signed a joint venture agreement on the Infanta Nickel project. Endorsed by indigenous people “The agreement clearly stated that… ($1 billion) will be spent for the construction of a processing plant and the continuation of study on nickel laterite within the tenement of MacroAsia," Santos said “All permits have been secured including the much-coveted environment compliance certificate. There’s no reason why the NCIP will not grant us the permit," Santos added. The company said the indigenous people of Brooke’s point already sent last May 5 their endorsement of the Infanta Nickel project to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. The groundwork, including the setting-up of mining infrastructures might take 6 to 9 months, Santos explained. MacroAsia wants to start shipping nickel ore to China by 2012. Santos said MacroAsia could work on the mine for 10 years and explore other parts of their tenement. “If we find new resource, than we can extend the life of the mine," he said. — ELR/VS, GMA News