COMP SCORES THREATS OF ANTI-MINING LOBBY GROUP
September 4, 2009

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, Inc. (COMP) has called for an end to the vigorous lobby being waged by the Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) against extractive industries nationwide.

Nelia Halcon, CMP executive director, said it was very strange for ATM to urge President Arroyo to scuttle the Mining Philippines 2009 conference and exhibit scheduled from September 15 to 17 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Pasay City.

President Arroyo herself authored the Philippine Mining Act when she was a senator.

Halcon said ATM also plans to picket the venue of the conference, which was called to discuss developments in the mining sector not only in the Philippines but also in other Asian countries, and warned that any such action would send a wrong signal to investors interested in putting in capital not only in mining but in other ventures as well.

The Philippine government supports the conference and the Mining Development Council (MDC) of the Office of the President (OP) which is involved in organizing the event.

Contrary to the allegations of ATM that the industry has been destroying the environment, the COMP officer said mining companies have been religiously complying with the requirements of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), particularly on Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) of communities where these companies are operating.

Moreover, mining firms explained that they have been working in tandem with local government units (LGUs) on projects that generate livelihood, promote ancillary industries and improve agricultural production wherever they operate.

Mining companies have been encouraged to invest in the Philippines due to the Philippine Mining Act, which provides the legal framework for the operation of the extractive industries.

Official statistics show that the Philippines ranks third worldwide in gold deposits, fifth in nickel and sixth in chromite, and these proven mineral reserves have revitalized global interest in the extractive industries in the country.

Geological studies also indicate that up to 7.1 billion tons of metals could still be extracted and another 51 billion tons of non-metallic minerals can be mined.

Halcon explained that COMP has been abiding by its policy of responsible mining and promoting the practice of sustainable development.

Moreover, it complies with its duty of protecting the welfare of indigenous people who inhabit many concession areas and observes the provisions of the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA).

COMP members have undertaken programs for the equitable sharing of the fruits of mining operations as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Halcon called for sobriety on the part of anti-mining lobbyists led by ATM, which is backed up by Greenpeace International and Haribon Foundation, along with other global opponents of extractive industries.

The mining sector continues to be a contributor to national economic growth, she stressed, and this is indicated by the keen interest shown by San Miguel Corp, (SMC) and First Pacific Group in venturing into the extractive industry.

Mining and quarrying registered double-digit growth at 21.4 percent compared to the negative 13.7 percent for the previous year.

Metallic mining actually posted triple-digit growth at 111.2 percent from a measly 0.9 percent last year. COMP noted the revival of operations at the Atlas copper mine, which is now producing ore.

Crude oil, natural gas and condensate also skyrocketed by 62.8 percent from negative 11.8 percent while other non-metallic mining shot up by 12.6 percent from negative 15.4 percent.

These statistics were big factors in making the economy grow by 1.5 percent during the second quarter of this year from 4.2 percent last year, when the global financial crisis still had not swamped the country.

Other metallic mining posted a growth of 271.8 percent from negative 86.7 percent while stone quarrying, clay and sandpits, on the other hand, recorded a growth of 4.2 percent from 1.6 percent.