KORONADAL CITY -- The leader of the Catholic Church in South Cotabato has reiterated Wednesday his opposition over the planned operations of the USD5.9-billion copper and gold mining project in Tampakan town.
Bishop Cerilo Casicas of the Diocese of Marbel specifically trained his sight on the ongoing efforts of mining firm Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) to allow the controversial open-pit mining method in the area.
In a press conference here, Casicas said the problems that might emerge as a result of the mining project mainly overshadow its supposed benefits to the communities.
“Mining operation in Tampakan is a threat to the environment and agriculture in the low-lying areas,” he said.
The planned open-pit mining operation of SMI covers around 10,000 hectares of land in the hinterlands of Tampakan and parts of the provinces of Davao del Sur, Sarangani, and Sultan Kudarat.
The Tampakan Copper-Gold deposit is considered as one of the largest underdeveloped copper-gold deposits in the world.
But its operation had been delayed since 2010 following the signing by then South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes of the province's Environment Code, which is a ban on open-pit mining.
The ordinance, subject for amendment every five years, is now being challenged by pro-mining groups in court and the provincial board.
Casicas appealed to the members of the provincial board to carefully study the ordinance, specifically the provision in Section 22 on the open-pit mining, before pushing for its amendment.
“God created man to protect the environment,” said the bishop, noting responsibility of the board members as representatives of the people.
With the emergence of new political leadership in the province after the May 13 elections, Casicas said there is a need for the diocese to reiterate its stance on open-pit mining and continue the legacy of his predecessor, Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, who died last year.
Fuentes lost the gubernatorial race last May to Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., then mayor of Tupi town.
Tamayo has not categorically expressed support or opposition to SMI's project but said he will respect the prevailing ban on open-pit mining, which is being challenged in the court.
“We will strengthen our campaign against mining even more in Tampakan,” he said.
Jayvee Garganera, Alyansa Tigil Mina national coordinator, said the amendment of the environment code is now the discretion of the local government and the provincial board.
He said the objective must be consistent with other national laws in case the code will be updated.
“It (provincial board) should take into consideration the clean air act, clean water act, climate emergency, administrative orders if their intent is to strengthen the environment code,” Garnagera said.
SMI is consistent with its stand that responsible and safe method of open-pit mining is the only workable way of extracting the mineral deposits in Tampakan.
The company, according to its website, remained committed to help the communities in their project areas to be sustainable.
It has invested PHP36.7 million for education and skills training, community health, infrastructure, enterprise development, and information, education and communication in 2018.
The company believes that once developed, the project has the potential to be a key driver of national development and regional growth as well as socio-economic development for its host communities. (PNA)
