Mining applications up for the entire Cordillera 05-11-20

	NORDIS WEEKLY November 20, 2005
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Mining applications up for the entire Cordillera
BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 16) — If all the applications for Financial and Technical Assistance Agreements (FTAAs), Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA) and exploration permits (EPAs) in the Cordillera were approved, only a very small portion of the region’s 1.8 million-hectare total land area would be left for other land uses. Deducing from a disclosure of a top mines official here that a total of 1.7 million hectares have been applied for, only 100,000 hectares is left for other purposes. Cordillera Mines and Geo-Science Bureau Director Neoman dela Cruz disclosed in a press conference today that there are 11 FTAA, 36 MPSA and 46 EPAs new applications. Of these 10 MPSAs and 2 exploration permits have been approved. The bureau is still evaluating FTAAs for the environment secretary’s evaluation and finally for the President’s approval, dela Cruz quipped. He did not specify the provinces covered by mining applications but he confirmed that these are in all the six provinces of the region. Dela Cruz said that the department has set up a one-stop shop to expedite the processing of mining applications. Instead of waiting for months or years, mining companies only wait for weeks for processing of mining applications. “There is streamlining of processing procedures,” dela Cruz told the press, adding that the aim is to have a zero backlog in processing mining permits. Dela Cruz noted an influx of foreign companies wishing to do business in the Cordillera. He did not mention specific companies but said that these are mostly Autralian, Canadian and US multinational companies. Meanwhile, the 52nd Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Week started with a caravan from the National Capital Region to Baguio City today. Several activities, including sports, a symposium for mining engineers and the traditional secretary’s night and the annual awards night are among the highlights of this year’s celebration. In a related development, the 3rd Small Scale Mining Convention honored Benguet small scale miners in a day-long activity at the Athletic Bowl today. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS
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	NORDIS WEEKLY November 20, 2005
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
Mining applications up for the entire Cordillera
BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 16) — If all the applications for Financial and Technical Assistance Agreements (FTAAs), Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA) and exploration permits (EPAs) in the Cordillera were approved, only a very small portion of the region’s 1.8 million-hectare total land area would be left for other land uses. Deducing from a disclosure of a top mines official here that a total of 1.7 million hectares have been applied for, only 100,000 hectares is left for other purposes. Cordillera Mines and Geo-Science Bureau Director Neoman dela Cruz disclosed in a press conference today that there are 11 FTAA, 36 MPSA and 46 EPAs new applications. Of these 10 MPSAs and 2 exploration permits have been approved. The bureau is still evaluating FTAAs for the environment secretary’s evaluation and finally for the President’s approval, dela Cruz quipped. He did not specify the provinces covered by mining applications but he confirmed that these are in all the six provinces of the region. Dela Cruz said that the department has set up a one-stop shop to expedite the processing of mining applications. Instead of waiting for months or years, mining companies only wait for weeks for processing of mining applications. “There is streamlining of processing procedures,” dela Cruz told the press, adding that the aim is to have a zero backlog in processing mining permits. Dela Cruz noted an influx of foreign companies wishing to do business in the Cordillera. He did not mention specific companies but said that these are mostly Autralian, Canadian and US multinational companies. Meanwhile, the 52nd Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Week started with a caravan from the National Capital Region to Baguio City today. Several activities, including sports, a symposium for mining engineers and the traditional secretary’s night and the annual awards night are among the highlights of this year’s celebration. In a related development, the 3rd Small Scale Mining Convention honored Benguet small scale miners in a day-long activity at the Athletic Bowl today. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS
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