Thursday, September 18, 2008 Amcor nears completion of drilling in Pujada
THE Filipino-owned Asiaticus Management Corporation (Amcor) is nearing completion on its drilling activity in the Pujada nickel mining area and will soon start its full operation by the end of the year.
Lauriano Barrios, Amcor vice president for administration, said drillings in the Blue Ridge mining area is about 53% complete and will be over within the next three months. He said this means that Amcor would start its operation sooner than expected.
"We are right on track," Barrios said in a released statement.
Vicente N. Jayme Jr., Amcor president, said the developments on the ground have given the company hope of intensifying the operations in the area.
"We are looking forward to the progress that this project will bring not only to the company, but the communities within the area and the local government units," Jayme said.
With the much-anticipated start of operation by the end of this year or early next year, lumads of the Barangays of Macambol and Cabuaya are expected to benefit the most out of the mining operation by Amcor.
The original target of operation is supposed to be this year, 2008, but Amcor's then partner, Australia-based BHP Billiton, failed to meet its target. This prompted Amcor to rescind its joint venture agreement with BHP, resulting in the filing of charges and counter-charges between the two companies before the local, national, and international courts.
Amcor is expected to announce this latest development on their operation during the two-day Mindanao mining summit, which opens on Thursday at the Waterfront Insular Hotel here in Davao City. (BOT)
