OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. welcomes the decision of the Regional Trial Court of Nueva Vizcaya that denied a petition seeking to stop the operation of the Didipio Mine, which produces gold and silver bars and copper concentrates
“We maintain that we have undergone a comprehensive and thorough process over three years for Government’s confirmation of the renewal of our mining contract, and that we complied with all requirements,” said Atty. Joan Adaci-Cattiling, president and general manager for external affairs and social performance of OceanaGold.
A group led by Rev. Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao from Nueva Vizcaya sought a temporary environmental protection order against the operations of the Didipio Mine to prevent imminent and irreparable damage to the environment.
The respondents to the case include Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ma. Antonio Yulo-Loyzaga.
In denying the petition, the court said it is “not convinced at this point that there is immediate or irreparable harm to the environment to justify the issuance of TEPO especially so that the petition is not supported by clear and convincing evidence to enable the court to make an intelligent finding as to whether or not to issue the said protection order.”
Adaci-Cattiling said OceanaGold remains “deeply committed to the high standards of responsible and sustainable mining practices, and to the promotion of inclusive economic development by actively contributing to our host communities and to society at large.’
Didipio is an operating gold-copper mine in the northern Luzon, with underground and surface stockpile reserves estimated in 2021 at 1.23 million ounces of gold and 0.15 million tons of copper, including 2.57 million ounces of silver. The remaining mine life was estimated at 12 years with underground production and processing to be completed in 2033.
