Philippines Update

Philippines Update

6th April 2006

After a further Supreme Court decision affirming the constitutionality of the 1995 Mining Act, the frustration of communities who are opposed to mining but cannot have their voices heard has once again come to the fore. In this specific case the question was over Climax Arimco, renamed to APMI, and their Didipio mine. As highlighted in last week's Philippines update rumours that opposition to that project could turn violent seemed almost prophetic when their offices at the mine location were burnt down.

Elsewhere there is an update of the six year legal battle of Timuay José "Boy" Anoy for damages against TVI, and of local opposition to Philex Mining entering other parts of the Zamboanga del Norte region. There are also further updates on anniversary of the Marcopper disaster, and news on the ongoing investigation into the cyanide spills at Lafayette's Rapu Rapu mine.