MAKATI CITY – The Philex Mining Corp. is conducting heavy exploration works in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, in preparation for the planned reopening of the mothballed Bulawan Gold Mine, Manuel Pangilinan, its chairman of the board and chief executive officer, said last night.

He said the company plans to resume its mining operations in Sipalay in two to three years.

He also questioned the continuous opposition to mining of environmental advocates, saying that “Philex is definitely for responsible mining operations” and is not a “colonialist”.

Pangilinan said that if those opposing mining have a better and more efficient alternative that can provide sources of income for residents in the community, then he will welcome it.

The care of the environment has been the utmost priority of the company at every stage of the mine life, he added. In his message to stockholders, Pangilinan said Philex spent P271.7 million for environmental stewardship in 2010, that included reforestation and watershed management programs, and best practice and cost-effective methodologies to protecting ecology where we operate.

“We are preparing the community with a local economy that is based on providing goods and services to the mine but designed for further expansion and diversification to provide the same to the community, the province and, eventually, the region,” he added.

Philex is undertaking detailed mapping and geochemical surveys of areas under three projects – the Vista Alegre in the western side of the Bulawan, the Bulog, and the Cayas exploration project that was issued an exploration permit in July 2010 covering seven barangays of Sipalay with 4,381 hectares.

Pangilinan also said it is within the right of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental to legislate laws for or against mining in the province.

But he said the officials and the community should also take note of the continuous successful operation of Philex in Padcal, Benguet in the Cordillera Administrative Region. Philex is one of the few mining companies that have delivered on their environmental commitments, above and beyond what are required by law and regulation, Pangilinan said.

Last year, the SP passed a resolution opposing existing and future applications for mining exploration permits, lease contracts and agreements in Negros Occidental for the next 25 years.

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. has said earlier that the reopening of the mines will boost the economy and provide employment in southern Negros, and that the provincial government will keep a close watch to ensure that environmental protection requirements are strictly complied with.*CGC

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