A mining executive in Palawan has voiced concerns that a proposed moratorium on new mining applications could stifle the industry, even impacting current operations.
Ipilan Nickel Corporation Resident Mine Manager Alex Arabis said that while the proposal states existing operations will not be affected, the lack of consultation with directly affected communities and companies casts a cloud of doubt over the true intent of the ordinance.
“Kahit sabihin mo na hindi affected yung mining na operating sa southern Palawan, meron din kaming apprehensions na somehow baka baguhin na naman na pagkatapos na magkaroon ng moratorium for new applications, baka yung titingnan na naman, ang napapansin kasi talaga namin, the purpose really is to ban the mining operations in the province of Palawan,” Arabis said.
“So ngayon pa lang, ipinapakita namin na hindi kami pabor as far as Ipilan is concerned at ganun din naman yung posisyon ng mga leaders ng different sectors na isulong yung ganung resolusyon o ordinansa na magkaroon ng 25 years moratorium,” he added.
He also stated that should the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) conduct a study on the carrying capacity of the province, 25 years is too long.
“Tingin ko makakaapekto yun kasi nga hindi mo rin masasabi na ang mga mining companies, gusto nila na moving forward, makakapagplano sila kung ano ang pwedeng expansion,” he explained.
Moreover, he stated that with the proposals to ban the export of nickel ore, there is also a call for the establishment of a processing plant and if the moratorium is implemented, restricting new mining operations will also affect the industry.
“Kailangan natin ng processing plant dito so the more reason na kailangan payagan yung mga bagong mining para meron silang ipakain sa processing plant,” he explained.
“Yun yung nagiging main reasons ng investors who are interested to invest in a processing plant in Palawan na medyo nagba-backoff sila dahil hindi mare-realize yung kanilang projected return of investment kung hindi stable yung government policy dahil ang ang return ng processing plant will take five to 10 years. So kung alam mong 3-6 years may bagong restrictions na hindi pwedeng pagmimina, yun yung problema,” he elaborated.
