This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. V, No. 35, October 9-15, 2005
Grim Reality Behind Mining Investments As
the Arroyo administration guns for gold in mining, the country is ultimately
left with nothing but environmental destruction, social displacement and
financial bleeding. © 2005 Bulatlat
■
Alipato Publications Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified.
By Jennifer del Rosario Malonzo
IBON Features
Posted by Bulatlat
The Philippines is once again hosting a gathering of mining corporations this
coming Oct. 11 to 13. The Asia Pacific Mining Conference and Exhibition 2005
will be graced by no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who will give
the keynote address. As the Arroyo administration guns for gold in mining, the
country is ultimately left with nothing but environmental destruction, social
displacement and financial bleeding.
Investments vs costs
A modest estimate made by the World Bank in a study called "Philippine
Environment Monitor 2004-Assessing Progress" says that the Philippines loses
over $2 billion dollars every year due to environmental degradation. Yet the
Arroyo government is doggedly pursuing foreign investments in one of the
dirtiest industries ever - mining.
The government reports that mining investments in January to September 2005
soared to $345 million, poured in by 23 mining firms led by Coral Bay (Palawan
Nickel Project), Lafayette Philippines Inc. (Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project),
Australasian Philippines Mining Inc. (Didipio Copper-Gold Project), TVI
Resources (Canatuan Gold Project), Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co.
(Far-Southeast Gold Project), Filmenera Resources (Masbate Gold Project) and
Eagle Cement Corp. (Akle Cement Project).
But the World Bank report only includes damage from water pollution,
mismanagement of fishery resources, and air pollution in four urban centers. It
excludes social costs and the loss of quality of life.
The mining process has always been equated with environmental destruction--
deforestation, slope destabilization, soil erosion, desertification, water
resource degradation, defertilization, crop damages, siltation, alteration of
terrain and sea-bottom topography, increased water turbidity and air pollution.
Mining operations in the Philippines have damaged forests, agricultural lands,
river systems and marine resources, displacing thousands of indigenous peoples
and upland dwellers, peasants and fisherfolk.
With transnational corporations (TNCs) dominating the industry, the result has
been plunder of the country's resources with only a pittance given to the
government-- as these finite resources are exported, and the income and profits
quickly repatriated to mining
TNCs' home countries.
Abandoned
The people are then left to suffer the consequences of government's
irresponsibility and the TNCs' greed. One example is the all-too-common pattern
of mines closing down and companies leaving the destruction wrought by their
operations.
The government, for instance, has identified some 20 abandoned sites in need of
rehabilitation. Early this year, the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) announced its plan to clean up seven abandoned mines, which
will require P35 million. Ironically, the rationale behind the plan is still to
attract mining investors.
Killed
Mine wastes and tailings pose the greatest threats, including siltation of
irrigation canals, paddy fields and rivers, poisoning of water systems and the
reduction of flora and fauna. Tailing spills, like what happened in Marcopper's
mining site in Marinduque that killed the Boac River, are the costliest hazards
- financially, ecologically and socially.
Mining operations, which require clearing of wide swaths of forests, also cause
catastrophes such as landslides and flash floods. These cost the country roughly
P15 billion every year, according to the World Bank. But the toll on human life
and the anguish suffered by the people can never be quantified.
Making TNCs liable
Thus, the figures flaunted by the government, such as the $6-$7 billion
potential investments in the next 10 years, the P57 billion annual tax revenues
and $800 million exports are in reality canceled out by the economic, social and
environmental costs of TNC mining operations in the country.
Instead of pursuing and supporting mining investors in the country, IBON
Foundation, a member of Defend Patrimony, an alliance of groups opposed to
large-scale TNC mining, urges government to hold mining companies liable for
their environmental and social crimes. IBON Features/Posted by Bulatlat