The decision of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of South Cotabato to lift the ban on open pit mining in the region will pave the way for the development of the Tampakan prospect, which alongwith two similar mining projects, will give the country with additional sources of income, according to the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP).
The SP of South Cotabato on Monday approved an amendment to the province’s Environment Code, removing the prohibition on open-pit mining.
Michael Toledo, COMP chairman, said the lifting of the ban on open pit mining in South Cotabato aligns the local government unit’s Environment Code with national laws on mining especially that the method is an accepted practice worldwide.
Toledo said open pit mining can be operated safely and can be rehabilitated for the land to remain productive after the life of the mine.
“This decision by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of South Cotabato … paves the way for the development of the Tampakan copper gold project. Together with Silangan and Kingking — two other copper-gold projects in Mindanao — Tampakan would be a powerful vehicle to achieve a vibrant, multi-faceted local and regional economy that provides sustainable employment, business opportunities, and access to education, health, infrastructure and other social development programs that will improve and enhance the quality of life of those living in these projects’ host and neighboring communities, including their children,” said Toledo, in a statement.
The COMP said once the three projects are in full swing, they can increase yearly national government revenues by P12 billion a year, local government revenues by P1.5 billion, exports by almost $2 billion and social expenditures by close to P800 million per year.
Toledo added for the first 10 years of the Tampakan operations alone, national taxes are estimated to reach P68 billion; local taxes, P4 billion; royalty for indigenous peoples, P4.8 billion; Social Development and Management Program, P2.6 billion.
“The Tampakan project will be an essential post-pandemic economic recovery tool whose actual and potential benefits far outweigh the potential negative impacts. We believe no other sector is likely to provide a more responsible and sustainable alternative,” the COMP added.
South Cotabato’s Environment Code issued in 2010 stopped any open pit mining projects in the area which stalled the Tampakan prospect, one of the largest undeveloped mineral deposits in Southeast Asia with estimated reserves of 15 million tons of contained copper and nearly 18 million ounces of gold or 375,000 tons of copper and 360,000 ounces of gold in concentrate annually, over the proposed 17-year mine life.
In a separate statement, the Department of Environment and Natura Resources committed to improve the efficiency of the application process for priority mining projects, particularly in two areas in Mindanao.
Jim Sampulna, DENR acting secretary, said in a consultative meeting earlier this month expediting mining approval process in Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga Peninsula are important amid the country’s continuing economic recovery from the pandemic.
Sampulna said fast-tracking of issuance of environmental compliance certificates through simplified geological study by the Environmental Management Bureau and the creation of a one-stop shop to streamline mining applications by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau are being pursued.
He added the agency has asked faster issuances of area and dredging clearances by the Department of Public Works and Highways as well as the issuance of the certificate of non-overlap and clarificatory meetings with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.
