Davao del Sur gov endorses SMI mining project in Tampakan

DIGOS CITY—Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas has formally endorsed the Tampakan gold and copper project, which traverses some parts of the province, but his move somewhat surprised the provincial board.

Vice Gov. Arsenio Latasa, board presiding officer, confirmed Cagas’ endorsement following the Department of Environment and Natural Resource’s rejection of the environmental compliance certificate application of Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI).

But Cagas did not inform the board of his endorsement, Latasa said.

SMI, a company jointly owned by global mining giant Xstrata, had lodged an appeal in a bid to reverse the DENR decision against its proposal to develop what is being touted as one of Asia’s largest untapped gold and copper deposits.

John Arnaldo, SMI’s corporate communications media relations manager, said they were happy with Cagas’ endorsement of the $5.9-billion mining project. He said it was not only the governor who formally backed the project but the mayors of the host municipalities as well.

He said in some ways, the endorsements, including that of Cagas, would help SMI convince the DENR to reconsider its decision on the mining company’s ECC application.

“It would show the DENR that the affected stakeholders are supporting the project,” Arnaldo said by phone.

But Board Member Nonito Llanos III doubted there was overwhelming support for SMI among residents of the province.

He said for one, the town council of Matanao, Davao del Sur, has passed a resolution opposing SMI’s activities, including the construction of a mine waste catchment facility in the province.

Llanos said it would have been proper if Cagas consulted the board before the endorsement was issued or at the least, conduct a public hearing.

Arnaldo said once the DENR issued the ECC, the Tampakan project could start operating in 2016.

Peter Forrestal, SMI president, said the mining project would bring enormous benefits, especially to the host communities. SMI’s estimates showed that the Tampakan mine project could yield an average of 375,000 tons of copper and 360,000 ounces of gold per year over a 17-year period, the estimated lifespan of the mine site.

Forrestal also dismissed claims SMI’s operation would result in disasters.

“Our mine project’s environmental impact statement, which fully complies with the requirements of DENR’s own ECC process, is backed by a world-class environmental impact assessment study,” he said. Orlando B. Dinoy, Inquirer Mindanao