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Supposed benefits from Mindanao mining project questioned Environmental activists have questioned claims that the $5.2-billion Tampakan Copper-Gold Project by Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) in South Cotabato would yield huge benefits for the national economy and for local communities around the mining area. “Hindi kami naniniwala sa sinasabi ng SMI at ng national government na malaki…

Human Rights Online Philippines

September 18, 2011

1–2 minutes

Davao del Sur, Mindanao, Pamplona, Pasay, Roman Catholic Diocese of Marbel, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat

Supposed benefits from Mindanao mining project questioned

Environmental activists have questioned claims that the $5.2-billion Tampakan Copper-Gold Project by Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) in South Cotabato would yield huge benefits for the national economy and for local communities around the mining area.

“Hindi kami naniniwala sa sinasabi ng SMI at ng national government na malaki ang maitutulong ng proyekto sa ekonomiya ng bansa kung pagbabatayan ang mga epekto ng mina sa komunidad,” Rene Pamplona, representative of the Diocese of Marbel in South Cotabato (SAC-Marbel) said.

Pamplona, along with indigenous community leaders, made the statement on the occasion of the Mining Philippines 2011 and Exhibition in Pasay City, held from September 13 to 15.

Contrary to SMI’s claims, the project will not improve lives and give sustainable benefits to communities there, Pamplona said.

The project, which involves one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits, is hounded by environmental issues, considering that it covers 31,599.64 hectares within the boundaries of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sarangani and Davao del Sur provinces.

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