A mining company is facing backlash for allegedly initiating exploration activities on indigenous lands in Abra without securing community consent, prompting a provincial lawmaker to call for a congressional investigation.
In a report by Rappler, Abra Representative Menchie “Ching” Bernos filed House Resolution No. 2073 on November 12, urging the House committees on cultural communities and natural resources to probe Yamang Mineral Corporation’s (YMC) activities.
Bernos asserted that YMC moved forward with exploration without securing the legally required Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) from affected indigenous groups.
She called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to clear the issue before Congress to prevent future violations of indigenous rights concerning the use of ancestral lands.
The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) mandates developers to obtain a Certification Precondition (CP) from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), based on FPIC, before starting projects. Violations are subject to customary indigenous penalties under IPRA.
YMC’s parent firm, London-based Metals Exploration, announced on October 28 that authorities had approved exploration, with drilling ready to commence soon.
The firm has finished pre-exploration work in the Abra area, and the Manikbel potential is now drill-ready.
Records from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) show YMC applied for an exploration permit in February 2022 for resources in a 16,188-hectare area across four towns in Abra.
However, as of October 31, YMC was not listed among companies with approved applications.
The NCIP’s regional office in the Cordillera advised YMC to stop its activities.
YMC responded on Nov. 6, with President Karen Morie arguing that the FPIC process does not apply to the current exploration stage, citing an Authority to Verify Minerals (ATVM) exemption under Executive Order No. 79-2012.
According to EO 79, the FPIC requirement applies to Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA), Financial and Technical Assistance Agreements (FTAA), and similar ventures.
