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Saving face? William Gatchalian’s mining firm finally agrees to stop digging in Sibuyan Island paradise but only after days of protests, police brutality and ahead of DENR stop order

February 6, 2023

Bilyonaryo.com

A mining firm owned by plastics king William Gatchalian has agreed to temporarily halt all mining activities in Sibuyan Island which has been dubbed as the “Galapagos of Asia.’

Bowing to growing public opposition, Gatchalian’s Altai Philippines Mining Corp. said Monday it has “decided to voluntarily halt all exploration and testing activities in Sibuyan Island and to continue our full cooperation and coordination with the relevant authorities to address any concerns or issues that have been raised.”

Altai’s announcement came after days of protests held by residents of the pristine island some of whom were hurt after the Gatchalian sought the help of the Philippine National Police to break through barricades and allow its trucks carrying nickel to pass through.

The temporary suspension is seen as a mere face saving gesture on the part of the company as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources announced the previous day that it would issue a cease and desist order against the Gatchalian firm.

The DENR, which investigated the mining site for the last two weeks, found serious violations of Altai’s part such as the absence of a lease agreement for a pier and dumping of gravel into the island’s crystal clear waters; lack of an Environmental Compliance Certificate for its causeway; and it had cut down trees without a permit.

The DENR had previously canceled the Gatchalian firm’s mineral production sharing agreement to explore 1.5 million hectares in Sibuyan Island. The CDO was lifted only in September 2021 and Altai did not waste time to extract nickel to take advantage of the metal’s soaring prices.

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Related News Tags: Altai Philippines Mining Corp., DENR, Galapagos of Asia, mining, police brutality, protests, Sibuyan Island, William Gatchalian

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