Online petition of support for the Mindoro Hunger Strike against Mining

The Mindoro Nickel Project (MNP) in brief

MNP is owned by a Norwegian mining company, Intex Resources withAgluban and Alag-ag Mining as its local subsidiaries. It covers 11,200 hectareslocated the in the island province, which will span four towns—Victoria, Pola and Socorro inOriental Mindoro and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro.

The MNP is expected to produce 100 million-120 milliontons of ore over a period of 15-20 year. Mindoro’s nickel laterite deposit isbelieved to be one of the biggest in the world.  

Some reasons for MNP opposition: 

Watershed destruction. Mindoro’s economy is largely based on agriculture. The MNP is directly located in the Mag-asawang Watershed,which is the source of irrigation for some 50,000-hectare rice fields in thetowns of Victoria, Naujan and Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. These three townsare responsible for 51% of the total rice production of the province.   The province of Oriental Mindoro, which is ranked third asthe province that produces the most food in the country, and known as the foodbasket of the southern Luzon region. 

Biodiversity concerns. The mine-site is a major biodiversityconservation area. MNP’s processing site falls within the Verde Island PassageMarine Biodiversity Area. 

Indigenous peoples’ (IP) concerns.  MNP is located within the ancestral domain claims of Alanganand Tadyawan Mangyans. Mining will have great impacts on their livelihood andculture.

Local government opposition. The province of Oriental Mindoropassed a 25-year mining moratorium ordinance in 2002 prohibiting the entry ofall large-scale mining. In Occidental Mindoro, a similar mining moratoriumordinances were passed by the municipal governments of Sablayan, Abra de Ilog,Paluan, Looc and Lubang. Eight(8) out of eleven (11) municipalities  in Occidental Mindoro passed aresolution against MNP.

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PRESS RELEASE

Haribon: Country's Fifth Largest Lake Might be at Risk

November 24, 2009

Naujan Lake, the fifth largest Lake in the Philippines and internationally recognized as one of the important biodiversity areas (IBAs) listed as Ramsar site, might be in danger because of the potential mining wastes that will be generated from the Intex' Nickel Project in Mindoro Island once it starts its operations says Haribon Foundation.

Blas R. Tabaranza Jr., Haribon Chief Operating Officer, said that the mining project poses serious threats to the Naujan Lake in which mine wastes could possibly flow into. This IBA overlaps with Naujan Lake National Park covering 21, 655 ha. which was established in 1956. It was identified as one of the Wetlands of International Importance in 1999 under the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

“The value of this biodiversity is incomparable with the potential earnings from the Mindoro Nickel Project. The services provided by the Naujan Lake are invaluable and that no mining company can ever compensate at the amount they are willing to offer,” explained Tabaranza.

Intex records revealed that the estimated total waste which will be produced in 20 years amounts to 15 Million tons (Mt). They will be charged Five centavos (PhP 0.05) per metric ton of mine waste produced and Ten centavos (PhP 0.10) per metric ton for the generation of mill tailings.

According to Haribon studies, the Naujan Lake serves as an important feeding or wintering area for large numbers of both migratory and resident ducks and other waterfowl including the threatened Philippine Duck and the rare Plain swamphen (Amaurornis olivaceous). It is rich in nutrients and a transmigratory route of fishes from the lake to the costal area which supports a rich fish fauna recorded with 14 species including several protected species like Thick-Lipped Mullet (Mugil dussumieri), Cavalla (Caranx sexfasciagus) and Red Snapper(Lutjanus argentimaculotus). The area surrounding the lake used to have extensive dipterocarp forests and significant populations of several of Mindoro's restricted-range endemic species including the highly threatened Mindoro Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba platenae).

Tabaranza added that most of the inhabitants from municipalities of Naujan, Pola, Victoria and Soccoro which adjoin the lake, depend on it for their livelihood, particularly through fishing. The lake also provides water for laundry, bathing and irrigation for agricultural production to its surrounding communities. It likewise possesses great beauty and has potential for tourism.

The group had earlier expressed their vehement objection against the Mindoro Nickel Project demanding Sec. Atienza to immediately revoke its ECC and cancel the mining contract of Intex Resource Philippines, Inc.

Contact Persons: Blas R. Tabaranza Jr. / Belinda dela Paz

Contact Nos. 0922-8151937/434-4642/911-6089