25-year underground mining in Pasil may begin project construction next year

Pasil, Kalinga – After over a decade of talks, Makilala Mining Company, Inc. (MMCI) plans to begin project construction in Balatoc, Pasil soon, in preparation for its commercial production.

The MMCI noted they had undergone a free prior and informed consent (FPIC) process with the community.

In November last year, MMCI President Julito R. Sarmiento, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) through Chairman Allen A. Capuyan, and the leaders of Balatoc tribe, being the host indigenous cultural community (ICC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the mining exploration.

Back then, former Pasil Mayor and now Governor James Edduba stressed the MOA is an offshoot of over 10-year feasibility study, plus series of consultations with the involved community.

The agreement contained the Maalinao-Caigutan-Biyog (MCB) copper-gold project which covers 32 hectares and a buffer area of 138 hectares for environmental protection and mitigating measures.

In the 25-year underground mining, the company has selected a method that will no longer require a conventional tailing dam.

In a recent development Judy Rola, head of information management of MMCI said the project has been issued an environmental compliance certificate by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

While waiting for the approval of its Declaration of Mining Project Feasibility (DMPF), the company is preparing key requirements for the mineral production sharing agreement which will be lodged once the DMPF is secured, Sheldeen Joy Talavera reported through Business World.

“Hopefully by 2024 we can start the project construction and proceed to first commercial production by 2026,” Rola stated.

The company will put up a processing plant, general administration, and auxiliary equipment, among other facilities.

Accordingly, the company expects annual production of up to 4.5 million tons of copper-gold concentrate “but will start at 2.25 million tons once allowed to operate.”

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