Group seeks halt to mining in quake-affected areas

An antimining group is pressing the government to halt all mining operations in Mindanao pending a geologic assessment after two strong earthquakes hit the region over the past two weeks.

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) on Wednesday called on the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to suspend mining operations on the island and immediately conduct assessments to determine the stability of mine areas.

“With the recent magnitude 6.6 quake in Cotabato affecting areas as far as Davao City and Iligan City, the structural and geological stability of mine areas and mine facilities must be clearly established by the MGB, so that the safety of communities around the mine sites are ensured,” the group said in a statement.

A 6.3-magnitude quake near Tulunan, Cotabato province, which struck on Oct. 16, was followed on Tuesday by a more powerful 6.6-magnitude temblor that damaged buildings and other structures in surrounding provinces.

Areas of concern

Scientists say both tremors could have been caused by the same fault. At least 12 people were killed.

ATM said it was particularly concerned about areas in South Cotabato, Davao del Sur and Sultan Kudarat, which suffered serious damage from the two quakes.

The area is covered by the Tampakan Copper-Gold Mining Project owned by Sagittarius Mines Inc. and the Tampakan Mining Group.

Officers of Tampakan could not be reached for comment and the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines declined to comment on the ATM statement.

MGB Director Wilfredo Moncano had been quoted in news reports as saying that the project was expected to operate soon after the Office of the President reinstated Tampakan’s environmental compliance certificate.

In a case review of the project’s environmental impact statement, however, questions were raised pertaining to fault lines that could affect some of the mining company’s facilities.

“ATM believes that the MGB should prioritize first a geologic assessment review before promoting additional mining projects in the region. Without this geologic assessment, the Tampakan mining project must continue to be shelved,” the group said.

“It is also in the interest of the mining companies and their operators that the safety and welfare of both their employees and communities around their mines are assured,” it added.