Mining firm denies being in smuggling of iron ore

This refers to the news item “Camarines gov probed over illegal mining” (Inquirer, 7/4/12). Uni-Dragon Mining & Development Corp., a legitimate and law-abiding mining corporation, completely and absolutely denies Pulang Daga Movement’s accusation that it is illegally operating by virtue of a temporary small-scale permit.

Records will fully show that Uni-Dragon has been granted two Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA No. 271-2008-V and

MPSA No. 272-2008-V). These are legitimate mining permits issued in November 2008 by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. Uni-Dragon does not have and has not been issued any temporary small-scale permit.

Uni-Dragon likewise completely denies it is smuggling iron ore out of the country. Uni-Dragon actually has a proposed magnetite sand project with an Environmental Compliance Certificate.

The magnetite sand project does not involve any iron ore. Rather, it involves the recovery of iron sand from the lateritic soil. This process of recovering iron sand from the top soil actually has the beneficial effect of making the soil fertile, which can now be planted with plants and trees. Also, the proposed magnetite sand (iron sand) project will actually employ more than 500 residents in the mining area.

—FRANCISCO S. TRAJANO,

chairman of the board and

chief executive officer,

Uni-Dragon Mining & Development Corp.