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THE Chamber of Mines of the Philippines applauds the
cease and desist order issued by the provincial chief of Zambales
against five suspected illegal mining operations, voicing out that
the activities damage responsible miners.
“We have been striving and
doing our best to tell our countrymen that responsible mining can be
undertaken, but these illegal activities have been putting the
industry in bad light. We commend Gov. Amor Deloso for his resolve
in welcoming only good investors in his province,” Nelia Halcon,
CMP executive vice-president, said in a statement.
Deloso earlier reported of mining
in the province that do not benefit the local and national
government.
The chamber, on the other hand,
contested the move of tribal residents in Nueva Vizcaya to block the
entry of mining firm Oxiana into its exploration site. This, despite
a court order prohibiting the tribal leaders from barring the
transport of Oxiana equipment and construction material into the
area.
The CMP asserted, “The rule of
law should prevail. Conflicts of this sort should be managed by
[both] the NCIP and the environment department together, with the
company and the tribal leaders.”
--Chino S. Leyco
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