Saturday, May 24, 2008 Amcor gets nod to mine in DavOr
THE mining operations of the Pujada Nickel Project in the capital of Davao Oriental, Mati City, may proceed after all without the Australian mining giant firm BHP Billiton, but will be done solely by Asiaticus Management Corporation (Amcor).
Recent developments in Mati City showed that the local government is fully supportive of the move to give the project only to Amcor, when it passed a resolution during the first week of May allowing Amcor to start with the Pujada Nickel Project.
The said resolution was passed by the City Council of Mati City last May 5, 2008 and was duly signed by Juvy Mabini, City Council Secretary, Mati City Vice Mayor Cesar de Erio, and Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat.
Mati City Councilor Alan Andrada said the resolution was to give Amcor the go-signal to start its operations on the much-delayed project, which according to the councilor was primarily caused by BHP Billiton.
"By delaying the operation of the mining, it will greatly affect the program of the government of the City of Mati considering the revenue that can be derived from the operation, which will support the delivery of services to its constituents," Andrada said.
Apart from the revenues that the City of Mati may earn from the project, the City Government of Mati has thrown its support for the mining operations to start, as it will also provide employment for the community.
It was reported last week that a tribal group in Mati City has vowed to put a halt on the mining operations of BHP Billiton, a company that the tribal group alleged to have committed grave sins against the environment and the people.
In a statement, the tribal group said the construction of the fence on the occupied lots of the tribal group, the entry and exit of the mining firm in the ancestral domain without proper consultation and consent, the disrespect of the territory of the tribe, and the disregard of a temporary restraining order issued by the court on the mining operations are among alleged violations committed by the mining firm. (CPM)
