Mining firm asks Benguet folk to allow exploration

BAGUIO CITY—A South African mining company urged residents of Mankayan, Benguet, to heed the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), which recently allowed it to proceed with exploratory drilling in its mine site there.

Last week, lawyer Brian Masweng, NCIP Cordillera regional hearing officer, deputized a community development officer to post at the drill site an April 4 order directing members of the Te’eng Di Mankayan “to peacefully allow Far Southeast Gold Resources Inc. (FSGRI), to enter the subject property to conduct its drilling activities.”

Ibaloi land claimants had picketed the drill site of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corp. (LCMC) since January 23 to protest the gold project. The mining firm had stopped operations, until it received clearance to proceed.

FSGRI is a venture between South African Gold Fields Ltd., one of the world’s biggest producers of gold, and LCMC which developed the Far Southeast gold mining project in Mankayan. Gold Fields acquired 40 percent of the Far Southeast gold project early this year and began drilling on January 3.

“We hope that the other party respects the decision of the NCIP,” the company said.

On April 27, delegates at the Cordillera Day celebration joined the barricade set up by Te’eng Di Mankayan, composed of families living near the site of the drilling project. Desiree Caluza, Inquirer Northern Luzon