Panganiban Mayor OK on offshore magnetite mining

Panganiban Mayor Gregorio Angeles would not oppose magnetite mining within the territorial jurisdiction of the town, provided it is done offshore.

This was his reply to a Tribune query on whether his administration would object to the reported plan of a Chinese firm to transfer to Panganiban its magnetite exploration activity after it met strident opposition in neighboring Bagamanoc. Mayor Odilon Pascua has confirmed that the Shun Fong Transport Co. has moved out of the town after facing objections from a Church-backed group.

He told the Tribune that anyway, the Chinese group is just conducting a survey of possible magnetite deposits before undertaking any mining activity. In case mining takes place offshore, the mayor said, the sand washed out of the magnetite separation process could be used to reclaim part of Panganiban’s shallow shore for the proposed commercial port.

Mayor Angeles stressed that he has consistently refused to endorse any mining activity on land in his town, especially in the coal-rich mountains of sitio Campo Ermitaño in barangay San Miguel.

However, he admitted that he has allowed the heirs of the late Congressman Jose M. Alberto to recover the reported 5,000 cubic meters of coal left over from a previous mining operation in the late 60’s. Angeles, however, believes that only about 1,500 cubic meters, about 80 truck loads, can be recovered from the mine compound and taken to the Alberto property in Calatagan-Tibang, Virac.

The local chief executive revealed that he has written Secretary Lito Atienza of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that he (Angeles) would not endorse any mining activity in Panganiban for as long as he is the mayor.

"I have already advised all small-scale mining applicants of this stand so that they will be spared from spending too much in following up approval of their applications in Manila," Mayor Angeles said. He revealed that a representative of an American firm offered him a sport utility vehicle and a monthly sum in return for an endorsement of a proposed coal mining operation in Campo Ermitaño, which he rejected outright.

The mining industry in the Philippines cites good-quality coal deposits in Catanduanes as part of potential coal reserves big enough to supply the needs of major power plants for the next 25 years.

According to an official report of the Department of Energy, the deposits in Catanduanes island have been contracted out to Monte Oro Resources and Energy, Inc. for coal exploration under Coal Operating Contract No. 143 issued in 2005.

A Makati-based firm with capitalization of P250 million in 2005, Monte Oro seeks to explore coal deposits in Obi, Caramoran and San Miguel, Panganiban. The Caramoran deposit is believed to contain at least 30,000 tons of coal from seams ranging from two to six feet thick.

Researchers also found that in Panganiban town where there are several coal areas, only those at Camp Ermitaño, Cancalbon and Naglobog are important due to the presence of coal-heavy sedimentary rocks.

Source: Catanduanes Tribune