Notorious Mining Firms in Gov’t Priority
List
BY IBON Foundation
Posted by Bulatlat
Several mining firms that have notorious records in environmental and
social damages are among those endorsed by President Arroyo to be accorded
with an array of incentives as Investment Priority Projects (IPPs).
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But independent think-tank IBON Foundation urges the Arroyo government to
go after these notorious mining firms and make them accountable for their
environmental and social crimes, instead of rewarding them with more
incentives.
The Marcopper mine pit
in Marinduque |
These corporations, whose mineral projects are expected to infuse at least
$6 billion in the next six years, will enjoy a longer list of incentives
than ordinary mining projects such as 6-year tax holiday and exemption
from import duties and corporate taxes, among others.
Firms included in the IPP list are:
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Marcopper Mining Corporation, owned by
Canadian company Placer Dome, which plans to open the San Antonio Copper
Project in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque despite failures to rehabilitate its
old mines and provide just compensation for hundreds of families that
were victimized by the 1996 mine spill.
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Canadian firm Toronto Ventures Inc. (TVI),
which operates the Canatuan Gold Project in Zamboanga del Norte. The
local Subanon tribes have complained of deceptive tactics by the company
to avail of its consent, as well as harassment from military and
paramilitary elements stationed to guard TVI premises.
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Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation
and Philex Mining Corporation, two of the country’s biggest mining
corporations, which until now have not answered to reports of
environmental destruction and community displacement in Benguet.
IBON executive director Rosario Guzman
said: “It is already worrisome that the country is foregoing more taxes to
mining firms in exchange of investments, but it is more dangerous that
many of these corporations have inflicted harm on the environment, as well
as violated human rights in their host communities.”
She notes that other mining firms availing of incentives might also harbor
notorious records in other countries. “Instead of attracting more
investors, government should instead promote sustainable and
community-based mining practices so that the people will truly benefit
from this sector,” said Guzman. Posted by Bulatlat
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