smi assures water for farmers

SMI Assures Water For Farmers

P200-M Spent For Tampakan Irrigation

By MARVYN N. BENANING

May 20, 2012, 3:51pm


MANILA, Philippines - Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) has assured farmers in Southern Mindanao that its Tampakan Copper-Gold Project (TCGP) would not siphon off irrigation water from the seven rivers and creeks in the uplands of South Cotabato.

SMI issued the statement in the wake of fears raised by some farmers and irrigation officials in Davao del Sur that TCGP would siphon off water from the Mal and Taplan Rivers upstream and deny them the precious liquid they need for farming.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said in his latest meetings with farmers in Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur that he does not want mining activities in traditional farming areas.

In his visit to Nabunturan, Compostela Valley last week, Alcala heard complaints about pollution, with the irrigation water 2012that used to be crystal clear turning brown, all because of the operations of the small-scale miners in the province.

Nabunturan is also known as the jewelry capital of Compostela Valley, long known as a gold rush area in Mindanao.

“SMI confirms and guarantees that no mining activities are proposed to be undertaken in any prime agricultural lands,” the company said in response to claims that the 9,600-hectare Tampakan mine site is a traditional agricultural area.

Sixty-percent of the area has been logged-over and subjected to slash-and-burn agriculture, contrary to claims that it is a thriving farming zone lush with vegetation and even primary growth forests.

“If the project is approved we would construct a freshwater storage dam to collect water that is excess to current downstream agricultural requirements during the wet times of the year which would then be used during the dry times when river water levels are low,” SMI said.
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