BHP Billiton, Amcor to settle Pujada nickel mining dispute

BHP Billiton, the world’s biggest miner, and its local partner will meet in Singapore within this week to settle a dispute covering a nickel mine in Davao Oriental, one of the country’s biggest mining projects.
A report posted at GMANews.TV quoted Mines and Geosciences Bureau director Horacio Ramos as saying that the initial talks will be conducted between representatives of BHP Billiton, Asiaticus Management Corp. (Amcor), and Environment Secretary Joselito Atienza.
The meeting is considered a breakthrough after talks fell through and both parties filed cases against each other regarding the Pujada Nickel Project in Davao.
Amcor intends to resolve issues with BHP Billiton since it remains interested in pursuing the project. Both parties are required to fulfill provisions of a contract they entered into with the government.
The dispute between both parties began with a misunderstanding that prompted an arbitration case filed in Singapore. Separate cases involving the issue have also been filed at the Philippines’ Court of Appeals and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
Besides having acquired all seven original Mineral Production and Sharing Agreements from its previous owner, Asiaticus also owns 60 percent of the nickel project.
In the meantime, BHP won its case filed before the Singapore Court.
Investments in the Pujada Nickel project is expected to reach $1.5 billion.