“Essentially, those who embraced the mining project did so because of the failure of the government to provide basic social services such as education, health and road networks. Government neglect made it easier for the entry of (Sagittarius Mines, Inc.),” Meggy Nolasco, national spokesperson of the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, said after the group’s two-day fact-finding mission. “Many of the tribesmen within the mining area are not really aware of the negative impact of the Tampakan project…There’s actually no real social acceptability of the project,” she added.
Sagittarius Mines is controlled by Xstrata Copper, the world’s fourth largest copper producer, with Australian firm Indophil Resources NL as the minority equity holder.
Touted as the largest undeveloped copper deposit in Southeast Asia, the Tampakan project has the potential to yield 13.5 million tons of copper and 15.8 million ounces of gold, according to the company’s latest study.
See http://mindanews.com/main/2010/08/29/gov%E2%80%99t-neglect-allowed-easy-entry-of-tampakan-miner-in-communities-mission-asserts/.