By Aquiles Z. Zonio
South Cotabato governor Arthur Pingoy is proposing that the environment impact statement of foreign-backed Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) be included as a “social impact study.”
“I want that a social impact assessment be conducted, not just environmental,” Pingoy said in an interview with Inquirer.
The $5.9-billion Tampakan copper-gold project of Xstrata-SMI hit a snag when the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of South Cotabato passed an environmental code banning open-pit method in extracting minerals anywhere in the province.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) used the province’s environment code as basis in rejecting the application for environmental compliance certificate (ECC) of Xstrata-SMI.
“I have sought the help of the German Development Cooperation to conduct an independent environmental and social impact assessment of the mining project. This would further enlighten us on the issue,” Pingoy said.
Pingoy said he arrived at the decision after his recent two-week study tour in Germany sponsored by the Gesellschaft Fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)GmbH.
Pingoy was one of three governors of the country who were invited to attend a forum in Germany on climate change, urban planning a+nd development, forest land use and mining.
The passage of the provincial environment code has sparked legal debate between pro and anti-mining groups.
President Aquino issued Executive Order 79, spelling out his administration’s Mining policy.
“I’m a doctor but I could hardly understand the contents of SMI’s environmental impact study. It’s highly technical. I want an independent group to make an environmental and social impact study which can be easily understood,” Pingoy said.
The governor believes that once this is done, the result would be credible and acceptable to both parties.
“I’m not convinced by the EIS submitted by SMI. Naturally, the study is biased because it was initiated by the company,” Pingoy said.
He clarified that he is not against mining per se.
“We are not against mining. We are against the open-pit method. We want a review of the method that they want to use,” Pingoy said.
A study conducted by Xstrata-SMI pointed out open-pit as the most appropriate method to extract copper and gold deposits in the area.
Pingoy vowed to implement the ordinance banning open pit unless it is declared illegal by the court.
He said provincial officials want to ensure the safety of the project before it starts actual operation.
“I’m a doctor and I understand that the case is not an emergency. The province, being classified as first class, is not in need of immediate financial help. We are not in a hurry because we can survive even if SMI would not operate soon,” he said.
He said the recent leak from Philex Mining was a big warning.
“This is not just about economic benefits that can be derived from mining. We are talking here of the future of our environment, our place and the next generations,” Pingoy said.
The Tampakan mine has 2.4 billion metric tons of deposits, containing 13.5 million metric tons of copper and 15.8 million ounces of gold at a 0.3 percent cut off grade.
The project is expected to contribute P134 billion to the Philippine economy each year, translating to an annual one percent increase in output over a 20-year period.
He said he had broached the idea with both the oppositors and proponents of the mining project and “They welcomed my proposal.”
