The
news item “Permit Absent in Narra Mining” (PDI, page
A-16) published on July 26, 2006 stated
some mining firms in Narra, Palawan to be continuing drilling operations
even when the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) had already issued
a Cease and Desist Order (CDO). It was further said that Platinum
Group Metals Corp. (PGMC) owner Rafael Atayde and Environment Secretary
Angelo Reyes are close to each other.
The
MGB Regional Office No. IV-B would like to clarify the issues raised
in the article based
on facts and records. The PGMC and Olympic Mines Development Corp.
(OMDC) have small-scale mining permits situated in Narra, Palawan
issued by the Provincial Governor of Palawan. The permits granted
are denominated as SSMP-PLW-39 and SSMP-PWL-37 issued on November
4, 2004 to PGMC and OMDC, respectively. PGMC operates the area of
OMDC by virtue of an Operating Agreement entered into by and between
said parties.
The
permits were applied way back and issued long before the assumption
to office of DENR Secretary Reyes. The Secretary has nothing to
do as far as processing and approval of the small-scale mining permits
are concerned. It should be noted that SSMPs were approved by the
Provincial Governor of Palawan upon recommendation of the Provincial
Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) based on compliances of the requirements
mandated under P.D. 1899 (Establishing Small-Scale Mining as a New
Dimension in Mineral Development), being a devolved function to
LGUs in accordance with R.A. 7160, the Local Government Code of
1991.
As
regards the alleged continuing operation of Sara Marie Mining Inc.,
our records show that the company was issued a CDO by this office
on June 16, 2005 inasmuch as confirmatory drilling activities being
undertaken by the company within the area covered by the Application
for Mineral Agreement denominated as AMA-IVB-154 necessitates an
Exploration Permit. Upon issuance of the CDO, no further activity
was reported undertaken by the company in the areas.
GUILLERMO G. ESTABILLO JR.
OIC, Regional Director
28
July 2006
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