Various environmental and religious groups have condemned the decision of South Cotabato’s provincial board to lift its provincial ban on open-pit mining that has been blocking the $5.9 billion (around Php 295 billion) Tampakan copper-gold project.
In a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Marbel Bishop Cerilo Casicas described the decision as a “sad and tragic day for South Cotabato.” The Diocese raised concerns over environmental, food security, and human rights issues on the project.
However, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CoMP) lauded the SP’s decision as it could revive the country’s mining industry and at the same time, help in the economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
CoMP Chairman Atty. Michael Toledo said that the Tampakan Project, along with the Silangan and KingKing copper-gold projects in Mindanao would provide sustainable employment, and business opportunities, that will improve and enhance the quality of life in the projects’ neighboring areas.
The three projects are seen to increase the national government revenues by Php12 billion a year, local government revenues by Php1.5 billion, and exports by $2 billion.
The Tampakan project, one of the largest copper-gold reserves in Southeast Asia, is managed by the Sagittarius Mines, Inc. It is a 10,000 hectare project across not only South Cotabato, but also Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and Davao del Sur. The project has the potential to yield around 375,000 tons of copper and 360,000 ounces of gold in concentrate per annum in its 17-year mine life.
Photo from Sagittarius Mines, Inc.
