PGMC didn’t violate law

This is in reaction to the news report titled “Court issues order for arrest, bars travel of ex-Palawan governor.” (Inquirer, 9/1/11)

We write to clarify that Platinum Group Metal Corp. (PGMC) did not violate the small-scale mining law in its operations in Palawan. Neither did the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources come up with a finding that PGMC extracted and shipped more than 200,000 dry metric tons of nickel ore.

In fact, the Office of the President (OP), in an order dated Nov. 22, 2006, declared invalid and unenforceable the revocation by the DENR of PGMC’s environmental compliance certificate (ECC). The OP decision reinstated the ECC and specifically declared that “Platinum Group Metals Corporation may exercise all its rights under its Operating Agreement and SSMPs.”

The related case/s that were elevated to the Supreme Court were decided all in favor of PGMC.

—RAFAEL M. ATAYDE,

president, Platinum Group Metals Corp.,

151 Paseo de Roxas cor. Arnaiz Streets,

1228 Makati City