MAP-Oz Slams Baguio Mines Safety Confab

Mining Action Philippines-Australia (MAP-Oz) composed of various Filipino and Australian groups and organisatons, with aims of monitoring, assessing, evaluating and exposing various environmental and human and indigenous peoples rights issues of Australian mining companies in the Philippines criticized the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) which invited Australian mining investors to an annual mines safety conference which ends today.

While the people of the Philippines suffered a series of typhoons and mining disasters, PMSEA is still promoting responsible mining for a strong republic, the Philippines, which recently enacted the Climate Change Law.

The Australian government recently granted the Philippines Php 123 million aid which seeks to mainstream disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in local land use plans and processes. The hypocrisy in this type of financial aid, while promoting Australian mining investment is obscene. Not only does mining contribute a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, mining also produces toxic waste which prove a deadly risk in the face of extreme weather conditions and climate change. The influx of carbon intensive, waste producing mining ventures, will defeat the very purpose of the aid.’ said Mia Pepper of Friends of the Earth Melbourne, the coordinator of MAP-Oz.

‘We find it ironic if not hypocritical of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and DENR Secretary Joselito Atienza to be calling themselves climate change czars before the Filipino people that they are on top of a low-carbon economy when clearly this confab supports a highly extractive industry that will add more GHGs in the atmosphere and worst, further put vulnerable communities especially the indigenous groups who are directly affected by mining operations and who are incapable of adapting to the impacts climate change in grave danger, ” exclaimed Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), the Philippine convener of MAP-Oz.

The Philippines ranks the world’s fourth most disaster-prone country based on the 2004 Global Climate Risk Index. This innate vulnerability – geographic, climatic and physical characteristics is compounded by intertwined problems of poor governance reflective of high poverty incidence, expanding population, political strifes, growing environmental degradation and natural resource depletion brought by the aggressive promotion of extractive industries such as mining in the country.

Didipio Case on Channel Seven Australia

GROUPS CONDEMN ILLEGAL DEMOLITION AND VIOLENT DISPERSAL OF MINING AFFECTED COMMUNITIES

KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya (NV)– Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), an advocacy group and a people’s movement composed of more than eighty (80) organizations from mining-affected communities and civil society organizations nationwide, condemns the illegal demolition and violent dispersal of the residents from communities, which hosts an Australian mining company owned by OceanaGold Corp. Inc. (OGPI). The incident happened last October 2 Barangay Didipio, where OGPI’s Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) covers 23 barangays in Kasibu.

Reports from human rights workers of ATM partner organizations, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) and the Philippine Human Rights Information Center (PhilRights), narrated that there were allegedly approximately 100 heavily armed men, who arrived at Sitio Dinauyan at around 8:00AM, to carry out a demolition order for the house of Elmer Lawagan located at the foot of Dinkidi Hill, the open pit mining site of OGPI.

The demolition crew was believed to be a composite team of police operatives from the regional, provincial, and municipal government of NV. The crew was faced with the resistance from more than 100 residents from Didipio who formed a human barricade to oppose the demolition. The residents believe that if OGPI succeeds in demolishing Lawagan’s house, their homes would be next. Some residents who joined the barricade were from the villages living in or adjacent to Dinkidi Hill in Sitio Dinauyan, which is home to at least 100 families, where the proposed site for the mine tailings dam is located.

Violence broke out between the two groups when the Philippine National Police (PNP) troops tried to forcefully break the people’s barricade using teargas, truncheons and shields, while residents defended themselves with the use of water mixed with chili pepper splashed to the agressors. Kasibu Mayor Romeo Tayaban and Didipio Barangay Captain Malou Nablol were both present to negotiate with the PNP. Witnesses said that apart from the beating experienced by some residents, 5 teargases were thrown to the barricaders. Casualties from the teargas include at least 7 barricaders. Some of the harmed still experience headaches and other discomfort from the teargas after the incident. The demolition crew was forced to pull back and leave the area when the 3-day Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) upon the request of Lawagan’s counsel was communicated past 11:00AM of the same day.

“We condemn the harm experienced by the people of Didipio in the arms of those who were supposedly mandated to protect them, said ATM Coordinator Jaybee Garganera. There were irregularities in the execution of the demolition order. To enumerate some: the unnecessary use of violence by throwing teargas, truncheons and shield to disperse the barricade; and policemen carrying firearms in the dispersal of the protesting residents, which is against the normal procedures in executing a demolition order. Two criminology students from St. Marys University Bayombong were allegedly part of the police contingent that were the ones who lobbed the teargas.” added Garganera.

To date, the RTC issued an order granting the extension of the TRO for 20 days and setting a hearing on October 19, 2009 at 10:30AM to determine whether or not a writ of preliminary injunction will be issued. Despite the favorable TRO issued, residents and their support groups vowed to remain diligent in protecting the rights of residents against any illegal and violent action by OGPI.

PhilRights Executive Director Nymia Pimentel-Simbulan said, ““We trust that Chairperson Leila de Lima of the Commission on Human Rights will look into this urgent matter. We request the CHR to immediately send a team of investigators to Barangay Didipio to verify these alleged incidents of human rights violations and abuses to facilitate redress for victims, especially Elmer Lawagan, and to hold the perpetrators liable for their actions. CHR's timely and decisive intervention is vital to ensure that due process and respect for human rights would prevail in the court decision and course of action subsequently undertaken."

OGPI’s Didipio Gold and Copper Project was granted with an FTAA since 1998 and is expected to produce an average 120,000 ounces of gold and 15,000 tonnes of copper for 15 years. After a decade of its presence in the Didipio, no mine production was made by the company. Furthermore, OGPI has placed its operation under “care and maintenance” in December 2008 due to financial and management problems of the company.

According to Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC) Executive Director Judy Pasimio, co-convenor of ATM, this implies that OGPI has lost its legal eligibility to carry out its obligations under the FTAA with government. In fact, DENR itself has declared to take over OGPI facility in January 2009 in the event that the company cannot operate within six (6) months.

“For this year alone, OGPI has already displaced more than a hundred indigenous families in Didipio. Furthermore, the companys aggressive fencing, which include closing of accustomed public way and the installation of check points covered by their FTAA have restricted what used to be free movement of the residents in the area. Now, communities feel that they are deprived of their rights to their own land and majority of the residents already lost their faith and trust in OGPI. LRC submitted a demand letter dated September 23, 2009 to the DENR to act upon and take necessary steps to finally carry out the CLOSURE of the Didipio mining tenement of OGPI,” concluded Pasimio.

Update - Statement regarding Berong Nickel Operations Update

20 August 2009

Operational Update - Berong Nickel

Toledo Mining Corporation plc ("Toledo" or the "Company") (AIM:TMC) advises that a third shipment of ore was shipped to BHP Billiton's ("BHP") Yabulu refinery from the Berong mine on Palawan island, Philippines, on 11 August 2009. The shipment contained 48,108 tonnes of ore at 1.5% nickel (approximately 481 tonnes contained nickel on a dry basis) and 30% iron.

Due to severe bad weather caused by tropical storms, the transhipment of ore from barge to the ship moored offshore was severely delayed. BHP has lodged a claim for demurrage, the amount of which is being contested by Berong Nickel Corporation ("Berong") which declared force majeure during the ship loading. Even taking account of BHP's claim, the shipment is cash positive to Berong.

Berong has now completed the shipment of stockpile material which meets the BHP specification. Approximately 150,000 wet metric tonnes of ore remain on the stockpile at Berong for which Toledo continues to seek customers.

The contract between Berong and BHP calls for a minimum shipment of 300,000 wet metric tonnes per annum to the Yabulu refinery of Queensland Nickel. So far this year, only approximately half of this contracted amount has been taken

It was reported in July that BHP has reached agreement in principle to sell the Yabulu refinery to Professor Clive Palmer. The consequences of this development for the timing of future shipments from Berong to Yabulu are under discussion.

Ends.

Reg Eccles, Chairman, Toledo Mining Corporation 44 (0) 20 7514 1480 plc Richard Greenfield, Ambrian Partners Limited 44 (0) 20 7634 4700 Alex Buck, BuckBias Limited 44 (0) 7932 740 452

END OF MESSAGE

This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Soccsksargen grows slower in ’08, down 4.6% from 2007’s 6.7%

Written by Jerry Adlaw / Correspondent
Thursday, 30 July 2009 22:51, Business Mirror

http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/13937-soccsksargen-grows-slower-in-08-down-46-from-2007s-67.html

Drilling machine of SMI in the mountains of Tampakan, South Cotabato.

THE economy of Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos) region grew at a slower pace by registering a 4.6-percent growth in 2008 from its robust performance of 6.7 percent in 2007. The deceleration was caused by slowdown in all three of its major sectors.

The agriculture, forestry and fisheries (AFF), the biggest contributor to the regional economy which accounted for 42.9 percent of the region’s total output, decelerated to 6.7 percent from a remarkable growth of 7.8 percent recorded in 2007.

The favorable performances turned in by fishery and livestock were not able to cushion the lower growths posted by corn, coconut, banana, pineapple, rubber and other crops, as well as poultry.

Sugarcane production posted a remarkable growth, attributed to the higher demand for muscovado sugar in the local and international markets.

Sugarcane is also being eyed as an alternative source of biofuels. The industry sector, which accounted for about 31 percent of the region’s total economic output, posted a sluggish performance as it slowed down from a 6.9-percent growth in 2007 to a modest 3.5-percent growth in 2008. All industry subsectors experienced a slowdown.

Manufacturing, which accounted for the biggest share of the total industry output, dropped from 5.4 percent to 3.4 percent, mining and quarrying from 9.1 percent to 3.9 percent, and construction from 18.1 percent to 5.8 percent.

Electricity and water contracted to negative 1.5 percent in 2008 from a 4.1-percent growth in 2007 due to reduced power generation of the Mt. Apo geothermal plants located in Cotabato province.

Services, which comprised 26.1 percent of the region’s economy, slipped down to 2.7 percent in 2008 from 4.7 percent in 2007 as all subsector outputs declined except for ownership of dwellings and real estate (ODRE). Government services grew by only 0.6 percent in 2008 from 5.7 percent in 2007; finance, 3.5 percent from 5.8 percent; and private services, 4.1 percent from 5.3 percent.

Odre more than doubled its growth as it went up from 1.2 percent to 2.8 percent, and government services substantially grew from 3.6 percent in 2007 to 6.9 percent in 2008.

AFF posted the biggest contribution to the GRDP growth at 2.8 percentage points followed by the industry sector at 1.1 percentage point and the services sector at 0.7 percentage point.

Real figures per capita GRDP increased by 2.3 percent from P12,499 in 2007 to P12,792 in 2008.

A region’s gross domestic product, or GRDP, is defined as the market value of all final goods and services produced within a region in a given period. It is considered as the single most-important indicator of economic performance. The GRDP is compiled on an annual basis by the National Statistical Coordination Board.

Sagittarius Mines Inc., based in Tampakan, South Cotabato, said that based on their records, Philippine mineral wealth is estimated to be 30.8 billion metric tons, 11.8 billion tons of which is metallic.

These vast resources were found in 77 percent of the country’s 76 provinces. In spite of the vast popular opposition among the affected communities, especially the highlander tribes and other cause-oriented groups like church-based organizations who go against the exploration activities of these mining companies, efforts remained unheard by the concerned Congress and Senate, said Bishop Dinualdo Gutierez, DD, of the Catholic Diocese of Marbel in Koronadal City.

“The dream to make the Philippines a newly industrializing country is a nightmare to the masses after former President Fidel V. Ramos approved the financial and technical assistance agreement [FTAA] that would leave behind the uncertainty of environmental fight against the mining firms all over the country,” Gutierez said.

Gutierez stressed that their fight against mining in Tampakan operated by Sagittarius Mines is still ongoing despite some inconsistences of the national government.

“During the administration [of former President Ramos], he not only sold the people’s interests to greedy foreign investors, but also the soul of the Filipinos, as foreign policy dictates and controls us,” Cecile Diono, spokesperson of the Freedom from Debt Coalition, said.

Diono said that Republic Act 7947, known as the Mining Act, invites foreign investors to open the country’s vast mineral resources through the FTAA, and upon crafting the FTAA, allows transnational and multinational corporations to engage in open-pit mining activities in the Philippines.

“The FTAA....[is] implemented without further restrictions and prohibitions regardless of the impact that these mining activities may bring to the local populace,” Diono said.

Fr. Roming Cathedral, director of the Justice and Peace Desk of the Diocese of Marbel, in a statement said they will not stop fighting against the mining firms operating in South Cotabato, especially SMI Mining Co., as they will strongly stand to stop its activities at all costs.

OceanaGold may ramp up mining activities in RP

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/168725/OceanaGold-may-ramp-up-mining-activities-in-RP


Mining firm OceanaGold Corp. may expand activities of its ongoing exploration of its gold prospect in Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya

The company was able to renew six exploration permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources late in the second quarter.

In a statement, OceanaGold, whose parent company is an Australian firm, said that various exploration activities may begin in the third quarter.

But despite these planned expansion activities, the company said operations remained subdued while the Didipio project is still undergoing care and maintenance.

OceanaGold president Jose Leviste said that some field work and desk-top based exploration activities were initiated under the assumption that a number of exploration permits are likely to be approved in the near-term.

The company said it continues to review its mining plan for Didipio.

About $120 million has been spent for exploration and development of the mine site while some $200 million is needed to finance construction works.

Oceana Gold holds a financial and technical assistance agreement (FTAA) with the Philippine government.

An FTAA is an agreement with the government that allows 100 percent foreign equity in a local mining project. Its mining tenement is located in the municipality of Didipio in Nueva Vizcaya.

The proposed development comprises four years of open mining, followed by at least 11 years of subsequent underground sub-level caving operations, totaling an expected minimum 15 years of processing operations.

The Company holds exploration licenses, license applications, and option agreements in the Surigao Peninsula area of North Eastern Mindanao, including Paco which was granted a tenement, Mayag, Asiga and Manhulayan.

OceanaGold Corp. is a significant Pacific Rim gold producer with projects located in the South Island of New Zealand and in the Philippines. It is listed in the Toronto, Australia and New Zealand Stock Exchange.

OceanaGold has been reported to the Philippine Commission on Human Rights for its injustices and human rights violations committed against local communities and indigenous peoples. The case has been raised to the United Nations' Permanent Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Commission on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Various articles on a fact finding report can be accessed here.

Unjust house demolitions and displacement can be briefly viewed in the video clip below with Oxfam Australia's investigation.

State of the Indigenous Peoples 2009

(Philippine Indigenous Peoples during SIPA 2009. Photo by LRC-KsK/FoE Phils.)

Quezon City, Philippines–As the nation awaits Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s state of the nation address, over 100 representatives from indigenous organizations and support groups from all over Luzon gathered today , bringing to the table the true state of the indigenous peoples.

“The IP voice has been absent in all previous SONAs,” said Zenaida Hamada-Pawid, an IP delegate from Baguio City. “Through this State of the Indigenous Peoples Address (SIPA) we can discuss our situation in our own words. We will then work towards consolidation of IP leadership, support groups and advocacy groups so as to forward a strong and substantial agenda.”

“Through this SIPA we want to preempt Arroyo’s attempts to paint another rosy picture full of glossy facts and figures and lists of development projects. We want people to know that it is these same projects which are responsible for the many problems indigenous communities face today, from mining to coal plants to large dams,” Ronald Gregorio of Legal Rights and Natural Reources Center-Luzon (LRC-KsK) said.

“Under the Arroyo administration, we have been witness to the intensification of militarization in IP areas. Systematic landgrabbing is happening at an alarming rate to serve the interests of mining, logging and other extractive industries,” Joan Jaime, secretary general of the Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KAMP) revealed.

From Capas, Tarlac, leaders Bayani Sumaoang and Lito Diaz from the federation Labayku (Lupon ng mga Katutubong Aeta para sa Bagong Adhikain upang Yumabong ang Kabundukan at Umunlad ang bawat isa) came in the face of a formidable issue. The delineation of their ancestral domain has currently been stalled by a boundary conflict with the Philippine Air Force’s Crow Valley military reservation.

“Gusto po sana naming makaharap ang iba pang grupong katutubo upang makakuha kami ng karanasan at inspirasyon mula sa sarili nila pakikibaka,” Manong Bayani said. The SIPA, organized by LRC-KsK, a research and policy advocacy institution primarily working with IPs, is scheduled specifically to coincide with the Presidents’ yearly State of the Nation Address.

This year’s SIPA, with the theme “Continuing the Historical Struggle for the Right to Self-Determination” is the second, following last year, which was held in Toril, Davao. There are two regional gatherings simultaneously being held in Quezon City for the Luzon communities, and in Cagayan de Oro for the Mindanao communities. “This SIPA is our protest to GMA’s SONA,” says Judy A. Pasimio of LRC.

“This SIPA will also serve as a common platform for indigenous peoples to forward their agenda, and for us advocates to support their struggle for self-determination.” The SIPA 2009 (Luzon) is a 3-day activity at the University of the Philippines College of Social Welfare and Community Development (UP-CSWCD), from July 26-28, 2009.

MAP Oz @ Philippine Times - Australia

Filipinos, Aussies join hands against open-pit mining
27.JUL.09

http://www.philippinetimes.com.au/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=2997&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1759&hn=philippinetimes&he=.com.au

Wednesday last week, Filipino and Australian environmentalist strengthened their alliance as an indication of its united action reproving open-pit mining.

According to the alliance, open pit-mining misuses the Philippines’ natural resources and violates the rights of indigenous peoples in areas where mining occurs.

The newly minted Mining Action Philippines – Australia (MAP-Oz) is composed of various Filipino and Australian groups and organization which aim to monitor, assess, evaluate and expose various environmental and human and indigenous peoples’ rights issues of Australian mining companies in the archipelago.

Meanwhile, the newly minted MAP-Oz slumped up streamers on a bridge along Eastern Freeway in Melbourne stating how open cut mining scars the Earth, and how they are against the Roxby Expansion.

Furthermore, it supports advocacy on providing food for the Filipino people rather than establishing more mining pits in the Philippines.

Convenor of MAP-Oz Rod Galicha of the Philippines’ anti-mining alliance Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) noted that despite wanton environmental degradation, human rights violations and indigenous peoples’ rights abuses, Philippine and Australian companies continue to connive with the government to exploit the country's natural resources.

The group also joined hands with Friends of the Earth – Melbourne (FoE) in the Global Day of Action Against Open-pit Mining, conducted simultaneously around the world by members of Friends of the Earth International especially in Mexico, the Philippines and Canada.

Galicha explained that the Philippine government persists to manipulate environmental policies in favour of the mining law.

This made the mining licenses to be given immediately even without genuine consultation and consent from communities.

Also, the convenor said that open-pit mining has been promoted and causes widespread deforestation and land use conversion. This practice causes 20 to 25 percent of carbon emissions that cause climate change.

For her part, Mia Pepper of FoE elaborated that “Australians should be aware that mining companies like BHP Billiton which put a protected area in danger, Indophil/Xstrata which is continuously being opposed, Central Gold Asia facing opposition everyday in Masbate, OceanaGold challenged by the local government of Nueva Vizcaya for tax issues and opposed by the indigenous communities, Pelican Resources with its Filipino partner that caused the murder of a local official, Royalco creating divisions among indigenous peoples, and the list still continues.”

Pepper said that through AusAID, they can extend help to Filipinos. However, he explained that their fellow Australians with mining investments take advantage of the opportunity of exploiting the resources that makes the poor people in the villages where some of our aid go are being displaced, abused and sometimes their lives at stake.

Thus, she urged the Australians to avoid expediency.

Foreign-owned mining operations in RP doing more harm than good
ALICE GREGORIO-NICOLAS 20.JUL.09

http://www.philippinetimes.com.au/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=2971&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1759&hn=philippinetimes&he=.com.au

Mining companies operating in the Philippines, fifty to sixty per cent of which are owned by Australian companies, may appear to be helping the economy of the Philippines but they are actually not. In fact, big mining companies who have been operating in the Philippines for 10-40 years have only caused massive environmental damage and linked to serious human right abuses. This is according to Rod Galicha, Sites of Struggles Officer of Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), during a forum organised by the Students of Sustainability 2009 (SoS'09) last 9 July 2009 at Monash University.Galicha and Myke Magalang, Executive Director for the Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns, travelled all the way from the Philippines to Australia to serve as main speakers of the forum. The forum tackled the widespread mining in the Philippines by multinational mining companies such as Xstrata and BHP Billiton, and the impacts on communities and the environment.

Galicha and Magalang showed video presentations of the impact of mining in the Philippines. It also showed the Philippine government encouraging partnership with international and local mining companies to beef up the economy to the detriment of the country’s rich natural resources. Aside from affecting the pristine water condition in mining areas, residents are also having skin diseases and other health problems from the mine tailing of abandoned mines.

Existing mines, on the other hand, do not really give lasting financial benefit to the residents or the country in general. It even divides the Filipino community as the debate to keep mining operation or not have created two factions. One is against the mining operation while the other group is pro-mining due to reasons such as employment to local residents.

Galicha also added that Filipino indigenous people are also affected by mining operations. He also noted that there are 991 activists' extrajudicial killings under the Arroyo administration. Twenty four environmental activists out of 991 were killed. Eighteen from the 24 killed were anti-mining activists.The video drew interest from the audience and one even asked how Australians can assist in the mining industry in the Philippines. Galicha said it is best that Australians educate themselves about the effects of mining operations of Australian companies and lobby the politicians here to do something about the unsafe practice. “There is no such thing as responsible mining operation,” Galicha admits. He said there are systems in place here in Australia which should be duplicated in the Philippines. Sadly, it will take time before these are implemented in the Philippines as the government is more interested in attracting more international mining investments rather than putting proper procedures to protect the environment and its people.

Galicha and his network for social development called Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) under the project ATM is opposing the large-scale mining in the Philippines by BHP. He also represents Sibuyanons Against Mining / Sibuyan Island Sentinels League for Environment Inc. (SAM/Sibuyan ISLE) which aims to save the 445-square-kilometre Sibuyan Island’s biodiversity, dubbed as the Galapagos of Asia. The two groups are calling for the government to take action to protect the country’s environment and people as continued mining operations by foreign and local companies will seriously exacerbate the current problems brought about by mining.

The devastating effects of mining in the Philippines, according to Galicha, threaten to wreak havoc to the environment and the Filipinos. Yet the government is turning a blind eye to these effects and instead continues to support current 23 mining projects by giving foreign companies tax-free incentives and even military protection in mining areas.

Galicha showed maps of mining locations highlighting the several mining operations in the country affecting the indigenous ancestral domains and watersheds and areas of environmental concern.

MAP-Oz @ ABS-CBN News

Fil Australian activists oppose open-pit mining in RP
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/07/23/09/fil-australian-activists-oppose-open-pit-mining-rp

Filipino and Australian environmentalist groups on Wednesday held a united action condemning open-pit mining that exploits the Philippines’ natural resources and violates the rights of indigenous peoples.

Newly formed Mining Action Philippines– Australia (MAP-Oz) dropped banners that stated 'Open cut mining scars the Earth, No to Roxby Expansion' and 'Philippines: Yes to Food, No to Mining' on a bridge along Eastern Freeway in Melbourne, Australia.

“Despite wanton environmental degradation, human rights violations and indigenous peoples’ rights abuses, Philippine and Australian companies continue to connive with the government to exploit our natural resources,” Rod Galicha of the Philippines’ anti-mining alliance Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), convenor of MAP-Oz.

MAP-Oz is composed of various Filipino and Australian groups and organization which aim to monitor, assess, evaluate and expose various environmental and human and indigenous peoples’ rights issues of Australian mining companies in the Philippines.

The group joined Friends of the Earth– Melbourne (FoE) in the Global Day of Action Against Open-pit Mining which was done simultaneously around the world by members of Friends of the Earth International especially in Mexico, the Philippines and Canada.

Galicha said the Philippine government continues to harmonize environmental policies in favor of the mining law “thus mining licenses are being given immediately without genuine consultation and consent from communities”.

“Open-pit mining has been promoted and causes widespread deforestation and land use conversion that causes 20 to 25 percent of carbon emissions that cause climate change. We never learned our lesson,” he said.

Mia Pepper of FoE said that “Australians should be aware that mining companies like BHP Billiton which put a protected area in danger, Indophil/Xstrata which is continuously being opposed, Central Gold Asia facing opposition everyday in Masbate, OceanaGold challenged by the local government of Nueva Vizcaya for tax issues and opposed by the indigenous communities, Pelican Resources with its Filipino partner that caused the murder of a local official, Royalco creating divisions among indigenous peoples, and the list still continues”.

“Through AusAID, we help the Filipinos, but our fellow Australians with mining investments take the opportunity of exploiting their resources and these poor people in the villages where some of our aid go are being displaced, abused and sometimes their lives at stake. Australians should avoid expediency,” Pepper said.

MAP-Oz @ CBCP News

Filipinos, Australians denounce 'destructive' mining in RP

http://cbcpnews.com/?q=node/9776

MELBOURNE, Australia, July 24, 2009—Filipino and Australian environmental activists jointly condemned the "destructive" mining practices in the Philippines advocated by Australian companies in a protest that was simultaneously done in other parts of world.

Activists unfurled banners of protests on a bridge along Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway, July 22, denouncing open-cut mining in the Philippines with words, “Open-cut mining scars the Earth, No to Roxby Expansion” and “Philippines: Yes to Food, No to Mining.”

The protest was also staged in Mexico, Philippines and Canada by members of Friends of the Earth International.

An anti-mining alliance of various groups and organizations called Mining Action Philippines-Australia (MAP-Oz), joined Friends of the Earth-Melbourne (FoE) in a Global Day of Action against open-pit mining.

MAP-Oz convenor and Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) officer Rodne Galicha denounced the trampling of human rights and reckless ecological destruction caused by mining.

“Despite wanton environmental degradation, human rights violations and indigenous peoples’ rights abuses, Philippine and Australian companies continue to connive with the government to exploit our natural resources,” Galicha, in a media release sent to CBCPNews, said.

Citing Philippine government’s failure to protect the people’s right to a sustainable livelihood and safe environment, Galicha further accused the government of implementing laws that favor mining companies.

“The Philippine government still denies these abuses and violations, and continues to harmonize environmental policies in favor of the mining law, thus mining licenses are being given immediately without genuine consultation and consent from communities,” Galicha said, adding:

“Open-pit mining has been promoted and causes widespread deforestation and land use conversion that causes 20 to 25 percent of carbon emissions that cause climate change. We never learned our lesson,” he lamented.

In the same media release posted on MAP-oz blog, Australian Mia Pepper, an FoE member, said Australians should be conscious of real issues behind anti-mining advocacies in the Philippines.

“Australians should be aware of mining companies like BHP Billiton which put a protected area in danger, Indophil/Xstrata which is continuously being opposed, Central Gold Asia facing opposition everyday in Masbate, OceanaGold challenged by the local government of Nueva Vizcaya for tax issues and opposed by the indigenous communities, Pelican Resources with its Filipino partner that caused the murder of a local official, Royalco creating divisions among indigenous peoples, and the list still continues,” Pepper said.

The environmentalist criticized Australian investors for exploiting people and resources in pursuit of their own convenience.

“Through AusAID, we help the Filipinos, but our fellow Australians with mining investments take the opportunity of exploiting their resources and these poor people in the villages where some of our aid go are being displaced, abused and sometimes their lives at stake. Australians should avoid expediency,” she stressed.

MAP-Oz is a newly-formed alliance of various Filipino and Australian groups and organizations. The group monitors, assesses, evaluates and exposes various environmental, human and indigenous peoples’ rights issues of Australian mining companies in the Philippines. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)

Aussie and Filipino Activists Say No to Open Pit Mining

22 July 2009

Melbourne, VIC, Australia

In the chilly morning of Wednesday, on a bridge along Eastern Freeway, one of Melbourne’s important freeways, Australian and Filipino environmental activists dropped banners condemning open-cut mining saying 'Open cut mining scars the Earth, No to Roxby Expansion' and 'Philippines: Yes to Food, No to Mining'.

The newly formed Mining Action Philippines – Australia (MAP-Oz) composed of various Filipino and Australian groups and organisaitons, with aims of monitoring, assessing, evaluating and exposing various environmental and human and indigenous peoples rights issues of Australian mining companies in the Philippines, joined Friends of the Earth – Melbourne (FoE) in the Global Day of Action Against Open-pit Mining which is being simultaneously done around the world by members of Friends of the Earth International especially in Mexico, the Philippines and Canada.

‘Despite wanton environmental degradation, human rights violations and indigenous peoples’ rights abuses, Philippine and Australian companies continue to connive with the government to exploit our natural resources’, Rod Galicha of the Philippines’ anti-mining alliance. Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), convenor of MAP-Oz.

‘The Philippine government still denies these abuses and violations, and continues to harmonise environmental policies in favour of the mining law, thus mining licenses are being given immediately without genuine consultation and consent from communities. Open-pit mining has been promoted and causes widespread deforestation and land use conversion that causes 20 to 25 percent of carbon emissions that cause climate change. We never learned our lesson’, he continues.

Mia Pepper of FoE says that ‘Australians should be aware of mining companies like BHP Billiton which put a protected area in danger, Indophil/Xstrata which is continuously being opposed, Central Gold Asia facing opposition everyday in Masbate, OceanaGold challenged by the local government of Nueva Vizcaya for tax issues and opposed by the indigenous communities, Pelican Resources with its Filipino partner that caused the murder of a local official, Royalco creating divisions among indigenous peoples, and the list still continues.’

‘Through AusAID, we help the Filipinos, but our fellow Australians with mining investments take the opportunity of exploiting their resources and these poor people in the villages where some of our aid go are being displaced, abused and sometimes their lives at stake. Australians should avoid expediency,’ she stressed.

Recently, former World Bank environmental scientist Dr. Robert Goodland and Clive Wicks of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in their book ‘Philippines: Mining or Food?” said that mining threatens Philippine food security and the government and mining companies should make a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) before implementing mining projects. They further recommend moratoria of large-scale mining until issues are resolved and an alternative mining law passed.

MAP-Oz Online

Welcome to Mining Action Philippines - Australia (MAP-Oz) online!

This will serve as online resource for those who are interested to campaign on the issue of Australian mining in the Philippines and call for greater accountability of Australian mining companies operating overseas.

MAP-Oz was conceived in November 2008 in the city of Melbourne, Australia. Interested members was formally convened in July 2009.

Our supporters and members are various Australian and Filipino religious groups, non-governmental and environmental organisations, unions and concerned individuals.

Join us in our first activity, The Global Day of Action Against Open Pit Mining, on 22 July 2009.

To join us in our campaign, please e-mail bar_barrick@yahoo.com.au or kalikasan101@gmail.com.

By the way, please watch the following video clip for a bird's eye view of the present mining situation in the Philippines.