Indophil's Phil. Tampakan Copper-Gold Project to Begin 2016

Australia-listed Indophil Resources said Friday it is targeting 2016 for first production at its Tampakan copper-gold project in southern Philippines as it is expecting an amicable resolution to a provincial government ban imposed last year.

As the mine environmental impact assessment for Tampakan is delivered and the related public consultation process is successfully completed ... Indophil looks to resolution of a provincial ban on open pit mining, leading to the formal 'commitment to proceed' decision in 2012, the company said in a statement.

DENR renews mining programs for 10 companies

Regulators have allowed 10 companies to continue mineral exploration work with drilling and environmental expenditures expected to come up to P426.95 million, Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said in a phone interview.

However, he was quick to note that these are existing exploration programs and the government has not issued any new mining permits.

PMSEA Slams Surigao del Norte Minig Raids

Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) has scored the October 3 attack on three mining companies in Claver, Surigao del Norte that left three people dead.

PMSEA, an organization that espouses occupational safety and environmental protection in mining operations, said the attackers also took several mining company executives but released them unharmed in the afternoon of the same day.

Alyansa Tigil Mina Denies Involvement in Oct. 3 Mining Raid

MANILA, Philippines -- The Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) Sunday denied any role in the October 3 attacks on three mining firms in Surigao del Norte, claiming that the communities around the companies "are the biggest losers."

Earlier, The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) said that the stepped-up campaign against mining operations by "special interest groups" like ATM "coincided" with the attack.