Environmental group urges MGB to cancel CMDC operations in Palawan

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) calls on Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director Leo Jasareno for immediate cancellation of Citinickel Mines and Development Corp.’s(CMDC) operation in Palawan, following the tailing spiel that happened on Saturday due to non-stop heavy rains.

“This is not the first time CMDC caused a mining disaster. Back in 2013 it has already been penalized by MGB for a silt spill at its Toronto mine in Barangay San Isidro, Narra, Palawan.”said Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator.

“How many more disasters does it need to commit before it will be stopped?! It is high time that MGB orders a cancelation of the company’s MPSA and other pertinent certificates so that Citinickel would stop their environmental crimes.” added Garganera.

ATM also demands that MGB, at the minimum should conduct an immediate investigation on CMDC’s irresponsible mining operation.

The tailing spiel caused by CMDC reportedly contaminated At least 5 kilometers of the Pulot river in Sofronio Española, a source of potable water of residents and wildlife in the area.

According to a statement, CMDC admitted that the spiel was caused by a cleaning operation that set off the release of the water with siltation straight to the river.

“It is enraging and disappointing that CMDC remains to be in operation after what they have done to Pulot river. They are clearly not just violating the standards of MGB’s requirements but the rights of Española’s people to have access to a safe food and water source as well.” Said Garganera.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) -MGB and the Mining Industry Coordinating Council’s (MICC) efficiency in implementing the provision of EO 79 that imposes a performance review of operating mines, including the CitiNickel operations was also questioned by ATM.

Garganera said, “DENR-MGB and MICC is just as accountable as CMDC in this mining disaster. Their failure to ensure the capacity and operational standard of CMDC lead us to this.”

In a closing statement, Garganera challenged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and MGB to put the welfare of the environment and its people first before anything else as they make the decision on the CMDC tailing spiel incident.

“EO79 once again has a chance to prove its unbreakable call for responsible mining; we urge the DENR-MGB to prove this call. To Sec. Paje and Dir. Jasareno, have CMDC face the consequences of its irresponsible mining operations.” Garganera concluded.

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Alyansa Tigil Mina 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 passage of the AMMB.

For more information:

Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator, (0917) 549.82.18 <nc@alyansatigilmina.net>
Check Zabala, ATM Media and Communications Officer, (0927) 623.50.66 <checkzab@gmail.com>

Press Release
12 June 2014

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