Monday, June 09, 2008 Mining firm resumes survey; denies abduction of workers
KORONADAL CITY -- Foreign-backed Sagittarius Mines, Inc. has resumed its geophysical survey in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur, after the reported abduction of its worker, including two Canadians, early last week.
The reports said six mining workers were abducted by armed B'laan residents on Tuesday but released a few hours later after negotiations with the company officials.
Roy D. Antonio, Sagittarius corporate affairs manager, said the survey team was not allowed to proceed with their assignment due to an unresolved land ownership dispute and employment issue against the mining firm.
"None of our employees or contractors had been detained by local community members," he said in a statement.
Antonio said they started the geophysical survey in Sitio Saub, Barangay Bololsalo in Kiblawan town on Thursday.
The Kiblawan police said the workers were released after the company promised employment to the abductors in their copper and gold project.
Sagittarius, controlled by global mining Xstrata Copper, is presently on an exploration stage. Its mine development site straddles the towns of Tampakan in South Cotabato, Columbio in Sultan Kudarat and Kiblawan in Davao del Sur.
The local Catholic Church vehemently opposed the project. (BSS)
