mgb allows mining firm to resume its operation

I see why it fell now.

Work got suspended...but they have just been allowed to start the operation again...however...OGC hasn't announced it.

Might actually be a good buy as it may spring back up on news that its operaiton is continuing.


Manilla Bulletin
http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080514124544.html


MGB allows mining firm to resume its operations

Despite a cease-and-desist order issued by Vizcaya governor

By CEASAR M. PERANTE

KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya — Oceana Gold Philippines is set to resume work on its Didipio gold-copper project at the Quirino-Nueva Vizcaya boundary after it stopped its operation for about one week following a cease and desist order (CDO) issued by Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma against the Australian mining company.


But despite Cuaresma’s CDO, the regional office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Tuguegarao City allowed the resumption of operation of the mining firm.

Earlier, Cuaresma ordered the Oceana Gold and Delta Corp. to suspend immediately what she described as "earth-quarrying activities" in Barangay Didipio, Kasibu , Nueva Vizcaya.

She further directed the company not resume "quarrying operations" at the site without proper instruction from her office.

To enforce her order, Cuaresma literally led a group that set up a barricade at the mine site last week with the assistance of the Nueva Vizcaya provincial police office.

Citing pertinent provisions of the Local Government Gode, the lady governor maintained that the province has the right to demand payment for quarrying fees.

Defending the Didipio gold-copper project, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza wrote to Cuaresma a letter citing laws covering large-scale mining operations.

"Please allow us to clarify that pursuant to Section 48 of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, a Financial Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) contractor has the right to extract or remove sand and gravel or other loose materials without need of permit. The definition of "quarry resources" does not include the removal of earth materials that are being moved and cleared by Delta Corp. and Oceana Gold. Based on the foregoing provisions, the ongoing activities in the areas in question cannot be categorized as quarrying. The DENR deems the ongoing activities as part of the development of the FTAA area in accordance with Project’s approved Declaration of Mining Project Feasibility," Atienza stated in his letter.

Atienza noted that the cease-and-desist order has resulted in undue disruption or delay of Oceana Gold’s operation.

To break the impasse, Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Horacio Ramos flew in to Didipio and held a dialogue with the members of Cuaresma’s group who included Vice Gov. Jose Gambito Jr., and Kasibu Mayor Romeo Tayaban.

Quirino Gov. Dakila Cua, who was visiting the mining site, was requested to join the parties. Cua’s province has a pending boundary dispute with Nueva Vizcaya, particularly over Didipio miningimpact zone.

In a diplomatic way, MGB Director Ramos echoed the message of Atienza during the dialogue witnessed by Didipio residents. He cited laws governing largescale mining projects.

The Didipio gold-copper project is one of the priority projects under the national government’s program to revitalize the mining industry.

Ramos asked the local officials to list all social and environmental concerns about Oceana Gold’s operation. He also invited Cuaresma and Gambito to attend a tripartite meeting that will be held at the DENR central office in Manila to address problems arising from the Didipio project.

During the dialogue, Ramos suggested that because the talks involved local and national laws, the opinion of the Department of Justice may be sought.