Mining company halts ops in Sibuyan Island

Sibuyan Islands residents barricade the port of APMC in a bid to stop the extraction of nickel ore and other minerals in the area (Photo courtesy of Alyansa Tigil Mina)

By Gabriela Baron

A mining corporation announced Monday, Feb. 6, that it is voluntarily halting all exploration and testing operations in Sibuyan Island.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued a cease and desist Order to Altai Philippines Mining Corporation (APMC), preventing the mining firm from the construction and operation of its causeway and stopping its transportation of nickel ore.

The DENR order also suspended APMC’s Ore Transport Permit, stopping the transportation of ore from the contract site to the causeway.

In a statement, APMC assured its full cooperation and coordination with the relevant authorities to address any concerns or issues raised.

“Our priority is to maintain peace and order, to ensure the concerns and well-being of the Sibuyanons, and to ensure that no parties are negatively impacted by our operations,” AMPC said.

“We pride ourselves as stalwarts of sustainable and responsible mining, so we take this as an opportunity to address all recent concerns brought up against our Sibuyan exploration,” it added.

Meanwhile, Alyansa Tigil Mina said the DENR order suspending the current operations of AMPC is “a clear victory for the people of Sibuyan.”

Residents of Sibuyan Islands earlier barricaded the port of APMC in a bid to stop the extraction of nickel ore and other minerals in the area. -ag

Popular

PBBM: Launch of new dairy farm to boost local milk production, supply

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday expressed optimism that the inauguration of the Farm Fresh Milk...

PBBM leads distribution of various aid to Aeta communities in Pampanga

By Brian Campued In celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples Month this October, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the turnover of various forms of...

PBBM vows sustained recovery efforts in Cebu after deadly quake

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday assured Cebuanos that the government will continue to provide assistance in Cebu as it reels...

PBBM to soldiers: Serve the citizenry, protect the homeland

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet “Panata ito ng katapatan sa tungkulin at paninindigan para sa bayan.” At the oath-taking ceremony of 29 newly promoted generals and flag...