Sumitomo, Nickel Asia invest $1.3B in nickel-processing plant
September 21, 2009SUMITOMO Metal Mining of Japan and Nickel Asia Corp., the Philippines’ largest nickel-mining group, signed a memorandum of understanding in Japan on Monday to proceed with the construction of a nickel-processing plant in Claver, Surigao del Norte.
Signing the memorandum was Manuel Zamora Jr., chairman and founder of the Nickel Asia group, and Gerard Brimo, president and CEO. The $1.3-billion project will take three years to complete and construction is expected to start early next year.
The project will represent the largest foreign investment in the Philippine minerals sector to date.
The plant will be constructed adjacent to Taganito Mining Corp.’s nickel mine.
Taganito, a subsidiary of Nickel Asia, will supply all of the required nickel ore to the plant for an estimated 30-year project life, while Nickel Asia will take a 20-percent to 25-percent equity interest in the project under a joint-venture company called THPAL Corp.
The output of the plant, a mixed nickel-cobalt sulfide, will be purchased by Sumitomo for final processing at its refinery in Japan.
This will be the country’s second downstream nickel-processing plant by the Sumitomo-Nickel Asia tandem. The first plant is under Coral Bay Nickel Corp., a joint venture between a Japanese consortium, led by Sumitomo, and Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp., another Nickel Asia subsidiary.
Constructed adjacent to the operations of Rio Tuba in southern Palawan, the plant became operational in 2005 and has been a technical and commercial success. Its initial capacity of 10,000 tons per year of nickel metal equivalent has since been doubled.
The new project, triple the size of the initial Coral Bay plant, is considered to be particularly beneficial to the country due to the value added created by the downstream mineral- processing plant.
The project is expected to employ about 4,000 personnel during the construction stage and 1,000 full-time employees when operational.
Substantial benefits will accrue to the adjoining communities from its Social Development Management Projects, while yearly exports of its product will bolster the country’s foreign-exchange reserves.
Substantial taxes will also be paid from the plant operations and from the Taganito mine due to the increase in mined ore to feed the requirements of the plant. (businessmirror) (more…)
Mining firm to ramp up coal operations in Surigao
In a statement, the company said a new agreement signed with Bislig Ventures Construction and Development Inc. (BVCDI) would allow it to boost production under Coal Operating Contract (COC) 127, which covers 2 blocks of its 11-block mining operations in Bislig.
BVCDI has fully assigned its rights and obligations under COC 127 to MGMEC. In exchange, it is paid a fixed royalty for every ton of coal shipped.
Aside from COC 127, MGMEC’s Surigao operations also include COC 45 and COC 106 where bulk of the company’s output is being sourced this year.
According to the mining firm, increasing production at COC 127 is in line with growing demand for coal among companies in Mindanao.
MGMEC vice president for sales Michael Morales earlier said they expect sales in Mindanao to reach 20,000 metric tons per month because of the planned expansion. The firm currently sells 60,000 tons a year under existing supply contracts.
Morales said their main market consists of tuna canneries and other food manufacturers with large energy requirements for their boilers. Many of these companies are now using coal to run their broilers instead of costly bunker fuel. (abs-cbnnews) (more…)
PNP Caraga reports ambush incidents
September 18, 2009Butuan City (17 September) — Two ambush incidents on Sept 11, 2009 at Km 7 and Km 9 of Barangay Pakwan, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur resulted to the death of SCAA Paterno Eting, SCAA Elrasid Daling, two civilians namely Junie Montenegro (Road Maintenance) and Christine Salahay.
Said incident also wounded retired PA Col Tomasito Grafe, Gaudencio A Quininez and Roberto F Penig, all residents of Barangay Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur.
Cases of Four Counts Murder were filed before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor Cantilan, Surigao del Sur against Kumander Salem, Maria Sularte aka “Maria Malaya”, Ka Naldo, Ka Mate and 30 john Does.
Two Counts for Frustrated Murder were also filed and a case for Destructive Arson all cases dated September 15, 2009.
Recovery of carnapped motorcycle
On September 15, 2009 around 11:45 in the evening, the motorcycle with engine number XRM-13E085784 was stolen while being parked inside the residence of Mr Granada.
Allegedly, suspects were identified as Jomarie Mosquito Aguillon, 16 years old, a resident of Campo Cuevas, Trento, Agusan del Sur and a certain “Junjun” Barobias of Bayugan, Agusan del Sur. Jomarie Aguillon was arrested during a police operation while “Junjun” Barobias escaped prior the arrival of the operating elements.
Arrested suspect and the recovered motorcycle are now under the custody of Trento Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
On September 16, 2009 around 9:30 in the morning at Purok-3 Barangay Poblacion, Trento, Agusan del Sur, a Honda XRM single motorcycle registered under CARTEMCO and issued to Mr Franklin Doblero Granada, Project Manager of CARTEMCO was recovered by PNP members of Trento Municipal Police Station led by SPO4 Francis Portillo through a hot pursuit operation.
Striking incident
On September 15, 2009 around 10:00 in the evening at District 1, Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Sacol, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, a resident while inside his house was struck in the head twice with a piece of wood by Ariel Lemen Camilosa, 31 years old.
Victim identified as Judito Dizon Luania, 45 years old, married who suffered injury in his head fall on the ground after being struck. Luania was rushed to the hospital for medical treatment while the suspect was arrested by the responding policemen and now detained at Buenavista Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
PNP arrests wanted person
On September 14, 2009 at 10:00 in the morning, a certain Allan Oropa Buslon, 41 years old, married and resident of Barangay Ambakon, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte was arrested by PNP elements of Las Nieves Municipal Police Station at his residence.
Suspect was apprehended by virtue of WOA issued by Hon Judge Hector B Salise of RTC Branch 7, Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, docketed under CC no. 2894 charged for qualified theft with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 40,000.00.
Arrested person now detained at Las Nieves Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
Report on loose firearm
On September 13, 2009 at 6:00 in the morning, one Nestor Guinsod, Purok Chairman and resident of Purok-14, Poblacion, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur voluntarily surrendered to PINSP Junark Quisao Caña, one unit cal.38 revolver without serial no. and one unit.9mm with serial number 1390787.
Surrendered firearms are now at the custody of Sibagat Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga) (more…)
Surigaonons join cleanup drive to fight climate change
Surigao Del Norte (September 17) — Surigaonons throughout the province will again join the world’s most successful community-led global environment campaigns, the “Clean Up the World” drive to address the effect on climate change on Friday Sep. 18, 2009.
Now in its 3rd year of implementation in the province, the provincial government will again tap the different sectors in the community such as the academe, business, and religious sectors including Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s) to get involved in the conduct of a 1-day clean-up drive on sea beaches, rivers, canals, drainage systems, and other public areas that would minimize the litter problem, improve the quality of waters, prevent the spread of diseases and consequently contribute towards a cleaner and healthier province.
Prov’l Administrator Adolfo Pantilo proudly disclosed the membership of the province to the Clean Up the World, an international environmental organization based in Australia mobilizing an estimated 35 million volunteers from more than 100 countries. Being a member, Pantilo emphasized the need for the Surigaonons to accept the challenge in protecting our environment.
Meanwhile, DILG Prov’l Director Rodulfo Nasi assured the provincial government the full support of his office to the activity. “Our office is solidly behind this effort of the prov’l government.”
“We believe that environment is a special concern of the province and not only of the province but the country as well. We know the problems besetting the country and the world especially with the present problem on climate change. I think these efforts will be part of the directions of the province and having this program be implemented at the barangay level,” he added.
Nasi also believed that with everybody joining in and contributing to this effort, Surigaonons can do something for the province and for the world.
This year’s theme “Communities Uniting to Combat Climate Change” encourages the participants in the Clean Up the World Weekend, which will start on Sep. 18 to 20, to take action at a local level to address the very global issue of climate change. (PIA-Surigao del Norte) (more…)
FITS Center launched in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur
The launch provided an opportunity for more than 100 farmers, 50 fisherfolks and 100 visitors to witness and acquaint themselves with the services and benefits of having their own FITS center.
The center was conceived from Municipal Mayor Manuel Alameda’s desire to establish a center where farmers could access new technology and information about farming, particularly the Natural Farming Technology System. Through local efforts and participation, an orientation for the Farmer’s Information and Technology Services (FITS) was held last November 13, 2008 at the Surigao del Sur Polytechnic College (Main Campus). This paved the way for San Agustin’s bid to have its very own FITS Center.
The proposed site of the FITS center was evaluated on April 23, 2009. At the same time, an assessment was conducted of the proposed Magsasakang Siyentista, as their partner in the promotion of the banner commodity of their municipality. On June 16, 2009, the San Agustin application was formally approved by CCARRD during the joint RRDCC and RTWG Meeting.
The FITS Information System is the first concrete step in utilizing ICT to achieve the FITS/Techno Pinoy Program’s service-oriented goals.Generally, it aims to serve as a viable tool to facilitate faster access to information to fast track the delivery of services to clients in agriculture, forestry and natural resources.
The FITS Information System was developed as a web-based system and is composed of six major databases namely: technology, experts’ profile, farmers’ profile, contact firms, publication, and technology video materials.
Visit the FITS web portal or CCARRD web portal for information and details. (NCC/San Agustin FITS Center) (more…)
