Sibuyan Island another Biak na Bato?

No to Mining! Save our Beloved Island!

Mt. Guiting-Guiting

Pelican, BHP ink Romblon deal

JUNIOR explorer Pelican Resources has signed an agreement with BHP Billiton for offtake from the emerging Romblon nickel laterite project in The Philippines.

The offtake agreement is to supply 500,000 wet tonnes of product annually for an initial period of five years, with options to extend for a further eight years.

The agreement is dependent on Pelican confirming a 2.5 million tonne nickel reserve at Romblon and BHP Billiton's satisfaction of the ore grade.

Romblon has an inferred resource of 7.26 million tonnes, with an average grade of 1.56 per cent nickel.

BHP Billiton has also committed to fund a $US250,000 ($290,500) exploration program at Romblon.

Pelican director John Hills said the offtake agreement with BHP Billiton reflected the economic potential of the Romblon project.

"The company looks forward to the commencement of the exploration and evaluation program at the Romblon nickel project ... and to working closely with BHP Billiton and its subsidiaries to develop a long-term, cooperative relationship into the future," Dr Hills said.

Nickel laterite is low-grade and requires intensive processing or a low-cost heap-leaching process where crushed ore is put into mounds and irrigated with acid to extract the metal.

The agreement was signed between BHP Billiton and Pelican's Philippines subsidiary, Sibuyan nickel Properties Development Corporation Ltd (SNPDC).

Pelican holds a 75 per cent stake of SNPDC while All-Acacia Resources Inc holds the balance.

Pelican shares had dropped two cents to 28 cents by 11.01am (AEST).

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Sibuyan Mining

What is Mining

Notice of Application from DENR allowing this company to conduct Mining in Sibuyan Island!

Mining is the extraction (removal) of minerals and metals from earth. Manganese, tantalum, cassiterite, copper, tin, nickel, bauxite (aluminum ore), iron ore, gold, silver, and diamonds are just some examples of what is mined.

Why mine?

Mining is a money making business. Not only do mining companies prosper, but governments also make money from revenues. Workers also receive income and benefits.

What are the minerals and metals used for?

Minerals and metals are very valuable commodities. For example, manganese is a key component of low-cost stainless steel. It is also used to de-color glass (removing greenish hues), but in higher concentrations, it actually makes lavendar-colored glass. Tantalum is used in cell phones, pagers, and lap-tops. Cooper and tin are used to make pipes, cookware, etc. And gold, silver, and diamonds are used to make jewelry.

Large scale mining versus small scale mining:

• Large scale mining usually involves a company with many employees. The company mines at one or two large sites and usually stays until the mineral or metal is completely excavated. An example of a large scale mine is the Serra Pelada mine in Brazil which yielded 29,000 tons of gold from 1980 to 1986 and employed 50,000 workers (Kricher, 1997).
• Small scale mining usually involves a small group of nomadic men. They travel together and look for sites which they think will yield gold or another valuable metal or mineral. Small scale mining occurs in places such as Suriname, Guyana, Central Africa, and many other places around the world. Some researchers believe that small scale mining is more harmful to the environment and causes more social problems than large scale mining. This will become apparent later in the lesson.

How does mining affect the environment?

Mining is generally very destructive to the environment. It is one of the main causes of deforestation. In order to mine, trees and vegetation are cleared and burned. With the ground completely bare, large scale mining operations use huge bulldozers and excavators to extract the metals and minerals from the soil. In order to amalgamate (cluster) the extractions, they use chemicals such as cyanide, mercury, or methylmercury. These chemicals go through tailings (pipes) and are often discharged into rivers, streams, bays, and oceans. This pollution contaminates all living organisms within the body of water and ultimately the people who depend on the fish for their main source of protein and their economic livelihood.

Small scale mining is equally devastating to the environment, if not more. Groups of 5-6 men migrate from one mining site to another in search of precious metals, usually gold. There are two types of small scale mining: land dredging and river dredging:

• Land dredging involves miners using a generator to dig a large hole in the ground. They use a high pressure hose to expose the gold-bearing layer of sand and clay. The gold bearing slurry is pumped into a sluice box, which collects gold particles, while mine tailings flow into either an abandoned mining pit or adjacent forest. When the mining pits fill with water from the tailings, they become stagnant water pools. These pools create a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other water-born insects. Malaria and other water-born diseases increase significantly whenever open pools of water are nearby.
• River dredging involves moving along a river on a platform or boat. The miners use a hydrolic suction hose and suction the gravel and mud as they move along the river. The gravel, mud, and rocks go through the tailings (pipes) and any gold fragments are collected on felt mats. The remaining gravel, mud, and rocks go back into the river, but in a different location than where it was originally suctioned. This creates problems for the river. The displaced gravel and mud disrupt the natural flow of the river. Fish and other living organisms often die and fishermen can no longer navigate in the obstructed rivers.

How does mining affect the people?

• The people who are exposed to the toxic waste from the tailings become sick. They develop skin rashes, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. In fact, the symptoms of mercury poisoning are very similar to the symptoms of malaria. Many people who can not afford to go to a doctor, or who live in a village where a doctor is not accessible, are often not treated for their illnesses.
• If the water is contaminated, the people can not use it for bathing, cooking, or washing their clothes.
• If the man of the household is a small scale miner, he often leaves his wife and children in search of work. This means that the wife and children must work and provide for themselves. They must also protect themselves from thieves.
• Theft, drugs/alcohol, prostitution, rape, and sexual abuse are unfortunately some of the effects of mining.
• Cultural degradation also occurs in mining villages. For example, mining often destroys sacred sites and cemetaries. In Guyana, a special fishing event called Haiari Fishing unfortunately can not take place if the river has been dredged for gold. Remember, the displacement of the gravel and mud obstruct the natural flow of the river. As a result, fish and other organisms die.

Magdiwang - "Magdiwang is the home of Mt. Guiting-Guiting, the highest peak in Sibuyan Island. The town has much more to offer, stunning sceneries such as lovely beaches, astonishing waterfalls and thick forest are only some of Magdiwang's pride and endowment."

The history of Magdiwang begun sometime in 17th century. A group of religious missionaries led by Valentine Ayala found settlement in this place originally named the place Magallanes, in honor of Ferdinand Magallanes. From a mere barrio of Cajidiocan. On January 1, 1947, The Philippine President signed the Republic Act no. 48 making Magdiwang as a Municipality.

Situated in the island of Sibuyan, the municipality of Magdiwang is bounded by the municipality of Cajidicocan in the east and the municipality of San Fernando in the south and by Sibuyan Sea on the north. Magdiwang is known for its dense forest, which is one of the favorites by mountain climbers to conquer and explore. The island possesses endemic and rare species that cannot be found elsewhere in the country. Scientific research, education and recreation rare only some of the reasons why it is the favorite area of foreigners. The island has an abundance of corral reefs, and mangroves.

Magdiwang is one of the three municipalities which composed the Sibuyan island, the second largest among the island of Romblon, it is bounded on the West by Cajidiocan on the South by San Fernando and on the North by Sibuyan Sea facing the Romblon, Romblon.

The total land area of Magdiwang is 11,190 hectares. The municipality is hilly and has a mountainous terrain. The town has the following soil classification: Tupi loam, Laylay sandy clay loam and Mogpog Farson Complex.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

The woods and forests are always so near and alive. The rivers and the falls, from Dalipi to the sparkling torrents of Cataja Falls, gouged from solid rock by eons. The verity of nature becomes more palpable due to the thundering water and that are partly hidden by a tangle of trees and brush.

MAGDIWANG BEACH – Stretches over two kilometer on the western side of Magdiwang facing the Sibuyan Sea.

MT. GUITING-GUITING – The pride of Magdiwang and the whole Romblon, this is the highest peak in Sibuyan Island, reaching a highest of 6,725 feet. Its northeast ridge has a series of jagged peaks from which the mountain earned its name Guiting-guiting that means, "saw tooth" in the local vernacular. Mountaineers would love to take the challenge and siege the rugged terrain of the mountain.

LAMBINGAN FALLS – Romantic hideaway marked by huge boulders that deflect the cascade from the heights, the park is complimented by other tourist potentials that is constantly developed for town beautification because of its lush greenery. The falls has a natural pool with cool surroundings, ideal for swimming and picnics.

PASEO DE MAGDIWANG – Close to Magdiwang beach, the farm is home to a strand of agojo and pine trees that are older than the park.

MARINE GARDEN – A repository of rich marine life that is a boon for scuba divers and explorer of the deep.

ECONOMIC PROFILE

Magdiwang is an agricultural municipality. It has a highest level of production according to the latest data from the office of the provincial agriculturist. Vast are planted to root crops with a highest level in term of vegetable productivity. Establishment is 0.95 industry sector, 1.57 service sector. Am entry to national resource.

POWER SUPPLY

Magdiwang relies on ROMELCO power, which facilitate the area.

WATER SUPPLY

The municipality has 5 community irrigation project with 188 service area that serves the area. Potable water is mostly in typical individual distribution. Source are deep wells, jet pumps and springs.

COMMUNICATION

Liberty Phones and RCPI-BayanTel serves the town.

TRANSPORTATION

Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ), Pedicabs, Tricycles, Solo motorcycles and some Private vehicles.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

1. Agri Business

2. Fish Culture and Processing

3. Cut flower Industries

4. Cottage Industries

5. Garments

6. Tourism Related Facilities

7. Banking

8. Other Non-Pollutive Industries

HOW TO GET THERE

• BATANGAS-SAN AGUSTIN-ROMBLON-MAGDIWANG (Batangas Port)

One can travel through RORO (Roll on Roll off) Montenegro Lines in Batangas City, which departs every Thursday at 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon.

• MANILA-CAJIDIOCAN-MAGDIWANG (PIER 8 Manila)

Take MV Mary the Queen of MBRS Lines at Pier 8 Manila, the departure time is 5:00 PM every Saturday to Cajidiocan port. From Cajidiocan, a travel to reach Magdiwang by jeepney lasts for 30 minutes.

For the latest schedule of Mary the Queen, please contact this number: (063) 243-5888


WHERE TO STAY

1. Corran Guest House

2. Strangers Inn

3. Rocha's Lodging House

4. The Jungle

INFORMATION ASSISTANCE

Municipal Tourism Council, Magdiwang, Romblon

Hon. Bareng Manzala
Municipal Mayor