ANTI-MINING groups in the Philippines found a strong ally in the Action for Peace and Development in the Philippines (APDP), an advocacy group based in Australia, in demanding OceanaGold to account for the Didipio mine in Kasibu, Nueva Viscaya.
Members of the APDP recently conducted a fact-finding mission to verify reports of the impact of the company’s operation in the area.
During the mission, the APDP, along with local groups that include Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, Agham, Amianan Salakniban, Alyansa ng Novo Vizcayano para sa Kalikasan, and the Cordillera Peoples Alliance found that OceanaGold Corp. continues to resist paying its tax obligations to the province of Nueva Vizcaya, the Philippine government and the people of the Philippines.
The investigation also discovered that residents of Didipio experience the heavy-handed tactics of company lawyers when these residents seek action on OceanaGold’s failure to honor the company’s commitments to buy lots, pay compensation, provide scholarships or offers of employment.
Worse, there were complaints that OceanaGold refuse to acknowledge or respond to residents’ concerns about the release of sewerage water into the river adjacent to homes in Didipio.
According to the fact-finding body’s report, OceanaGold requires residents to “prove” its violations, as well as land-ownership claims raised by affected landowners in its area of operation.
Worse, the fact-finding body, according to APDP, raised the issue of human-rights infractions committed by company security guards and the local police close to Didipio mine.
The reports confirm earlier findings by international and national missions since the 1990s, according to APDP.
“OceanaGold impairs the residents to exercise economic and social rights by denying some residents access to their homes and farmlands by fencing off access and boundaries,” APDP said.
According to scientific analysis by Agham, the river in Didipio shows elevated heavy metal (copper) and turbidity in Didipio River (below the mine).
The levels of toxicity are not present in comparison sites above the mine, the group said.
According to APDP, the severely elevated level of copper renders the waters of the Didipio River un-usable for irrigation.
“Residents also report skin irritation after contact with water from the river. The corporation is conducting exploratory drilling in extension areas on land without permission from or consultation with landholders,” APDP added. APDP said OceanaGold, which has exploration rights in Bokod, Benguet, may also adversely affect people in the area.