Semirara: We’ve given up mining in 2 Antique sites since 2018
MANILA, Philippines — After being tagged as operating one of the biggest coal mines in several Antique islands, Semirara Mining and Power Company (SMPC) clarified that it had already relinquished its rights to develop and mine on the islands.
“We would like to point out that SMPC relinquished its right to explore, develop and mine Caluya and Sibay in 2018,” SMPC vice president and resident manager Ruben Lozada told INQUIRER.net in an email on Tuesday.
“This relinquishment was formalized in the 2018 Amendment to Coal Operating Contract No. 5 executed by the Department of Energy and SMPC,” Lozada added.
This company sent the statement after it was reported that the Antique provincial board is requesting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to review the status of Caluya and Sibay Islands, which were declared as mineral reservations.
The report said the mineral reservation status of the islands was preventing its development as tourism sites./TSB
