Striking a balance
September 18, 2006

The message was simple: Investors are still interested in the Philippine mining industry. And if the government and the communities that play host to mining companies can be assured that the investors that come in will take care of the environment and the local people, then it could be the start of a mutually beneficial long-term relationship.

Last week, without much fanfare, the government played host to a group of potential foreign investors in the resurgent mining sector, to reassure them that the Philippines remains a good investment in spite of the travails and tribulations of such entities as Lafayette Mining in Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay.

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 Gov't help vital in revitalizing mining, says chamber
September 15, 2006

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CMP) on Wednesday reaffirmed its partnership with the government in promoting the industry, following a daylong international forum that drew the interest of firms based in Africa.

Chamber president Benjamin Philip Romualdez said in a statement the group shared the government's vision that mining activities should be done in accordance with best mining practices and in compliance with the country's mining laws.
 

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 Lafayette May Start Philippine Copper Exports After Mine Spills
September 7, 2006

Lafayette Mining Ltd., the first overseas company to open a Philippine mine under relaxed investment rules, may begin copper concentrate exports in November as it ramps up production after two accidents.

The Rapu Rapu mine was ordered by the government to suspend operations last November after two cyanide spills. It has since restarted work under government supervision, pending clearance from the authorities its practices are safe.

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 Vidal says he signed letter
July 22, 2006

CEBU Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal admitted signing a solicitation letter asking for P500,000 for a foundation but said it was "wrongly" addressed.

When interviewed last Sunday by Sun.Star Cebu, Vidal said he did not know anything about the letter as he just arrived from Valencia, Spain for the 5th World Meeting of the Families.

But yesterday, he made a clarification through Cebu archdiocesan media liaison officer Msgr. Achilles Dakay.

Dakay told reporters that the cardinal indeed signed a solicitation letter addressed to Philip Romualdez, president of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines. It was dated April 10, 2006.

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 Gov't supports mining industry
May 23, 2006

The government reaffirmed yesterday its support for the mining industry even as a Roman Catholic bishop called for the closure of an Australian-owned mine he accused of spreading pollution.

Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri said the government expects mining to generate $5 billion to $7 billion in foreign exchange annually and create 240,000 jobs over the next six years. It should also produce tax revenues of P17 billion to P23 billion.

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  Arroyo’s stand favoring mining miffs bishop                                                         
May 22, 2006

THE HEAD OF THE fact-finding body that investigated Australian mining operations on Rapu-Rapu Island yesterday said he would write a “strongly worded” letter to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo if she ignores the panel’s recommendation to stop mining on the island.

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes chaired a nine-member commission that looked into the Rapu-Rapu mining operations in Albay province following two incidents of tailings spills that residents had blamed for fish kills in their area.

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  Philippines Aims To Boost Intl Mining Investment                                                          
February 7, 2006

CAPE TOWN (Dow Jones)--The Philippines is "open for investment" from international mining companies and has identified 24 projects requiring capital injections of around $8.8 billion, a mining delegation visiting South Africa said Tuesday.

On the fringes of an international mining conference, the Philippines delegation, led by newly appointed mines minister Angelo Reyes, told Dow Jones Newswires it aims to be in the top 10 world producers of copper, nickel and gold by 2011. Read More

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  Mine firms warn of job, capital risks                                                                                      January 31, 2006

UP TO 10 million people are at risk of economic dislocation over calls by Catholic bishops to repeal the Mining Act of 1995 and cancel all existing mining permits, Benjamin Philip Romualdez, president of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, said yesterday.

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  Advance Training on Mining and the Environment to be held in the Philippines              December 6, 2005

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) thru CENTEK or the International Training and Development Centre at Lulea University of Technology, in cooperation with the Chamber of Mines is sponsoring the Mining and the Environment Advanced Training Course in Manila and Baguio from February 13 to March 10, 2005.

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  Lafayette loses $5.5m after Rapu-Rapu spill accident                                                           November 30, 2005

Lafayette Mining Ltd. lost $5.5 million after shutting down its mining facility in Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay, Lafayette officials said.

“We are about to decommission the gold ore processing plant anyway, but we are eyeing $6 million in revenues from export activities. However, we have only shipped about a third of our production since we have to discontinue operations due to the pond overflow incident,” Roger Corpuz, Lafayette Phils. operations manager, said.

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  Press Statement of Chamber of the Philippines regarding Lafayette spills                      November 29, 2005

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines has called a press conference to allay fears and assure everyone that all remedial measures are being undertaken by Lafayette Mining Company particularly on the safety and structural capability of its tailings dam.

An independent team formed jointly with the DENR was dispatched immediately to ensure that proper engineering design and standards are adhered to that would cater to the highest rainfall in the region.

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  Chamber of Mines Commissions an Independent Group to Investigate Rapu-Rapu     November 25, 2005

The Chamber of Mines, in coordination with the DENR-MGB has endorsed the creation of an independent group tp investigate the occurrence of mine spills in the newly established Rapu-Rapu polymetallic mine project in Albay. To allay fears and assure the public that remedial measures are undertaken, instructions were given to the team to ensure the implementation of all the required environmental safeguards and the long-term capabilities of the dam/settling pond structures under the most severe rainfall situation.

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