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Bukidnon nixes Indophil et al. mining exploration applications

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/22 June) – The Bukidnon Sangguniang Panlalawigan disapproved on Wednesday the request of Indophil Services International Pty. Ltd and two companies for an endorsement of its application for a mining exploration permit in the province.

The provincial board decided it will not budge on the province’s position against large-scale mining.

Indophil earlier wrote the provincial board to endorse the company’s application for a permit filed before the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Region 10 (DENR-10) to explore areas in the municipalities of Kitaotao and Quezon.

The firm informed the board that the two-year exploration will be limited to the search for mineral deposits, which include geological survey, geographical survey, geochemical survey and exploratory drilling.

Indophil stressed that exploration does not include mineral extraction and mining development.

But the provincial board did not buy the firm’s claim and thus decided not to grant the request.

On motion of board member Jay Albarece, the board decided to express their opposition even if board members Ranulfo Pepito and Manuel Dinlayan said it might be worth calling the applicants to the session to explain their plans.

Majority floor leader Nemesio Beltran Jr. and board member Alfeo Baguio, who chairs the board’s committee on environment, invoked the province’s stance against large-scale mining.

The application of the Makati-based San Christo Mineral Exploration Corporation, which intends to explore 13,756.68 hectares in Iglugsad, San Fernando, met the same fate. The applicant had already been previously denied an endorsement by the board.

The other applicant, Vicentico Buta, has expressed intention to conduct mining exploration in Gango, Libona. (Walter I. Balane / MindaNews)

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