Aussie firm has no legal basis for exploration

This refers to the article titled “It’s miners’ turn to rally in Surigao City” (Inquirer, 11/11/12). May we clarify the following:

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has denied the application of San Manuel Mining Corp. (SMMC) to undertake further exploration in the contract area covered by Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) No. 004-91-X granted Jan. 7, 1991, because it had already exceeded the maximum exploration period allowed by law. The area is situated in Masapelid Island, Surigao del Norte.

The MPSA is now in its 21st year, but no ore reserve has been discovered by San Manuel.

The regional office of the MGB in Surigao City has found out that illegal exploration activities in the area are being conducted by Bundok Mineral Resources Corp. (BMRC), an Australian-based company. BMRC has no legal personality to explore the area because it has no approved agreement with San Manuel Mining Corp.—LEO L. JASARENO, acting director, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, central@mgb.gov.ph