Despite listening to the presentation of Sagittarius Mines Inc. or SMI-Xtrata on the economic benefits that the province of South Cotabato will get if they will be allowed to operate their Tampakan Copper-Gold Project during their Monday regular session, Board Member Romulo Solivio disclosed that he is still not convince to let them operate using the “open pit” mining method.
In a radio interview, Board Member Solivio said that he is still concern of the three rivers located in the mountainous barangays in the municipality of Tampakan where the mining project is located, which supply water in the downstream area particularly Koronadal City.
“I am not concern of the economic returns that our province will benefit out of the mining project, but more of the three upstream river systems that supply water to the population below particularly to the farmers in Koronadal City,” Solivio stressed.
This, despite the plan of SMI-Xtrata according to Solivio, to construct a huge water dam in the vicinity of the mining area.
Mining uses a huge quantity of water in processing the precious metals excavated in the area.
“We are experiencing climate change right now and suffering from the so-called El Nino phenomenon (intense humid temperature), how much more if we allow them to operate using the open pit mining method?” Solivio asked.
Open pit mining method is banned under the Provincial Environment Code that was passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on June 2010 and signed by then Governor Daisy Avance Fuentes.
When asked about his proposed Organic Farming ordinance, he said that some refinements were still being made on the draft ordinance, but was hopeful that it will be approved sooner by the legislative body.
Solivio, a former municipal mayor of Surallah, is an environmentalist and steadily pushed for organic farming in his hometown.
His town is a recipient of numerous national environmental and agriculture awards and was once adjudged “the cleanest and greenest” municipality of the country.
Despite listening to the presentation of Sagittarius Mines Inc. or SMI-Xtrata on the economic benefits that the province of South Cotabato will get if they will be allowed to operate their Tampakan Copper-Gold Project during their Monday regular session, Board Member Romulo Solivio disclosed that he is still not convince to let them operate using the “open pit” mining method.
In a radio interview, Board Member Solivio said that he is still concern of the three rivers located in the mountainous barangays in the municipality of Tampakan where the mining project is located, which supply water in the downstream area particularly Koronadal City.
“I am not concern of the economic returns that our province will benefit out of the mining project, but more of the three upstream river systems that supply water to the population below particularly to the farmers in Koronadal City,” Solivio stressed.
This, despite the plan of SMI-Xtrata according to Solivio, to construct a huge water dam in the vicinity of the mining area.
Mining uses a huge quantity of water in processing the precious metals excavated in the area.
“We are experiencing climate change right now and suffering from the so-called El Nino phenomenon (intense humid temperature), how much more if we allow them to operate using the open pit mining method?” Solivio asked.
Open pit mining method is banned under the Provincial Environment Code that was passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on June 2010 and signed by then Governor Daisy Avance Fuentes.
When asked about his proposed Organic Farming ordinance, he said that some refinements were still being made on the draft ordinance, but was hopeful that it will be approved sooner by the legislative body.
Solivio, a former municipal mayor of Surallah, is an environmentalist and steadily pushed for organic farming in his hometown.
His town is a recipient of numerous national environmental and agriculture awards and was once adjudged “the cleanest and greenest” municipality of the country.
Despite listening to the presentation of Sagittarius Mines Inc. or SMI-Xtrata on the economic benefits that the province of South Cotabato will get if they will be allowed to operate their Tampakan Copper-Gold Project during their Monday regular session, Board Member Romulo Solivio disclosed that he is still not convince to let them operate using the “open pit” mining method.
In a radio interview, Board Member Solivio said that he is still concern of the three rivers located in the mountainous barangays in the municipality of Tampakan where the mining project is located, which supply water in the downstream area particularly Koronadal City.
“I am not concern of the economic returns that our province will benefit out of the mining project, but more of the three upstream river systems that supply water to the population below particularly to the farmers in Koronadal City,” Solivio stressed.
This, despite the plan of SMI-Xtrata according to Solivio, to construct a huge water dam in the vicinity of the mining area.
Mining uses a huge quantity of water in processing the precious metals excavated in the area.
“We are experiencing climate change right now and suffering from the so-called El Nino phenomenon (intense humid temperature), how much more if we allow them to operate using the open pit mining method?” Solivio asked.
Open pit mining method is banned under the Provincial Environment Code that was passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on June 2010 and signed by then Governor Daisy Avance Fuentes.
When asked about his proposed Organic Farming ordinance, he said that some refinements were still being made on the draft ordinance, but was hopeful that it will be approved sooner by the legislative body.
Solivio, a former municipal mayor of Surallah, is an environmentalist and steadily pushed for organic farming in his hometown.
His town is a recipient of numerous national environmental and agriculture awards and was once adjudged “the cleanest and greenest” municipality of the country.
