NV board affirms mining project's endorsement

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya ,Philippines  – The provincial board has affirmed its endorsement of a British-owned large-scale mining project here, passing another resolution, this time with additional safeguards in the firm’s operations.

The board said the new resolution contains terms and conditions which the FCF Minerals Corp. has to adhere to in connection with the national government-backed gold-molybdenum project in Runruno village.

A subsidiary of London-based Metals Exploration, FCF is the second foreign mining firm endorsed by the board for full commercial operation in the province following almost five years of exploration and community development activities.

FCF obtained its Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement during the Arroyo administration, allowing it to conduct mining-related activities in selected areas in the province. 

With a vote of 11-2, the board, in its regular session last Monday, passed the resolution with the proponents stipulating terms and conditions to prevent the occurrence of mining disasters like what had happened in other parts of the country. 

Board members Emmarina Balgos and Edgar Llowelyn Daniel stood firm on their earlier position opposing the mining project.

“Instead of mining, what we should prioritize is the development of our agriculture potentials as the province is endowed with fertile lands and watersheds,” Balgos said.  

Among the conditions for the board’s endorsement were food security and livelihood for residents, environmental protection and restoration of the mining site, respect for the human rights of the indigenous settlers and other residents, regular payment of government taxes, and support for local tourism. 

The board earlier had passed a resolution endorsing the mining project but decided to come out again with a so-called substitute resolution stipulating these terms and conditions.

The so-called substitute resolution came following protest by Church-led environmental groups over the board’s endorsement of the entire project. The Quezon town council and the Runruno village council had endorsed the project, too. 

The FCF earlier said it expects to start the Runruno project’s construction phase this year toward commercial operation by 2013.

Craig Watkins, FCF Minerals country manager, said they would shell out some $149 million for the construction phase, aside from development projects it committed to undertake for the residents. 

“The project has a very bright future. (It) has taken quite a long time but as a result of patient exploration, we are highly convinced of its commercial viability,” Watkins said.