Future of Mining in the Philippines
While the applications of 17 mining firms are gathering dust in the safety vaults of Region 6′s Mines and Geo Sciences Bureau (MGB), one company still insists to mine in a vast area in the vulnerable town of Leon, Iloilo.
This was confirmed by the Office of Director Leo Van Juguan of the MGB in Western Visayas in the wake of a report that mining company, Quarry Ventures Philippines, Inc. has a pending application for a mining exploration permit covering 830 hectares in the municipality of Leon, 25 kilometers southeast of this city.
Its application was initially rejected in 2011 after failing to comply with MGB’s steep requirements.
The Quarry Ventures Philippines, Inc. has since then resorted to legalities by filing a Motion for Reconsideration with the MGB central office in Metro Manila, but as of late no decision has been arrived at by the MGB higher-ups.
Leon town Mayor Rolito Cajilig said attempts by the mining firm to explore his fiefdom for gold and copper would likely be met with strong opposition as the citizens of Leon would muster in force to block mining activities in the town.