Mining firm in Agusan: unsystematic, inadequate – says MGB probe
Mayor calls justice for the affected communities

TUBAY, Agusan del Norte – Mines and Geo Sciences Bureau (MGB) Environmental Audit reveals that San Roque Metals Inc. (SRMI) was guilty and responsible for six major issues on its mining operations affecting the ecosystem and communities in La Fraternidad, Tubay, Agusan del Norte.

The MGB Multi-disciplinary Investigation Team that includes Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Bureau of Soil took more than three months to complete the report for its environmental audit last February 20-22, 2012.

Haphazard mining method
The MGB probe reveals that SRMI employs unsystematic mining method in the extraction of nickel ores while its rehabilitation effort had been implemented inadequately. MGB gave SRMI 30 days to submit new mining and rehabilitation plan; otherwise their permit will be suspended.

Improper drainage system
MGB also instructed SRMI to install a drainage system that will direct water runoff on designated siltation ponds and not in Tubay’s coastal area. MGB gave the firm 60 days to improve its ‘inadequate’ and ‘ineffective’ drainage system and should contain a retaining wall on its causeway.

Displaced families
The investigation also validated that SRMI failed to provide permanent relocation site for the affected families. MGB had given the firm six months from the receipt of the report to provide housing provisions for the dislocated families.

Claim on public road
On the same report, MGB observed that SRMI had taken the full use of Maharlika II National Road for their operations and blocked the public in accessing the road. MGB instructed SRMI to submit a new road plan that will provide alternate access road for the community.

Defile water
MGB also ordered SRMI to provide water treatment plant for Barangay La Fraternidad that will supply safe and sufficient water for households that should conform to the Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water (PNSDW).

Tubay Mayor Sadeka Garcia-Tomaneng hailed the report of MGB but proposed for a moratorium on the mining operation of SRMI as it complies with the recommendations prescribed in the said report.

“They have 30 to 60 days to implement the recommended actions but what will happen after that? They will be cleared? Justice should be served immediately on the merit of the proven adversities they caused in our town.” Mayor Sadeka added.

Meanwhile. Alyansa Tigil Mina National Coordinator, Jaybee Garganera urged the government to cancel and permanently reject the SRMI project.

“With the validated horrible impact of large-scale mining in Tubay, we cannot just ask them to continue with their operation. The six major findings in the report must have been enough for MGB to suspend the project. Even though they would employ new procedures in their system, the fact still remains that all they do is against nature and the will of the people.” Garganera added. (30)

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Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) is an alliance of mining-affected communities and their support groups of NGOs/POs and other civil society organizations who are opposing the aggressive promotion of large-scale mining in the Philippines. The alliance is currently pushing for a moratorium on mining, revocation of Executive Order 270-A, repeal of the Mining Act of 1995 and the passage of the Philippine Mineral Resources Act a.k.a. Alternative Minerals Management Bill. (ATM)

For more information:
Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator, (0927) 761.76.02 <nc@alyansatigilmina.net>
Edel S. Garingan, ATM Media and Communication Officer, (0922) 891. 89. 72 <communications@alyansatigilmina.net>

ATM Press Release
June 22, 2012

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