Last update:
2016-10-21

King-King copper and gold mine in Pantukan, Compostela, Mindanao, Philippines

In January 2016, 60 years old Teresita Navacilla was killed. She was a member of the Save Pantukan Movement, a network of indigenous peoples fighting for the right to their ancestral lands and opposing large-scale open pit mining.



Description:

The open-pit King-King Copper-Gold Project operated by Nadecor and St. Augustine in Pantukan threatens the rich biodiversity of Southern Mindanao. The environmental group Panalipdan-SMR cited the 2013 NI 43-101-compliant Technical Report and Preliminary Feasibility Study of M3 Engineering & Technology (M3ENG), which clearly warned that King-King mining will affect twelve “vulnerable or critically endangered” species of the 253 native or endemic plant species present in the area, as defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and the Philippine National Red List; six species endemic to Mindanao of the 74 bird species present in the area; and a total of 17 mammalian species and 10 reptilian species identified in the area. The report adds that several of the wildlife species found in the region “are listed as near-threatened or vulnerable by the IUCN, while others are protected by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), including 11 bird species, two mammal species and five  reptile and amphibian species. The region is also home to the Philippine eagle Pithecophaga jefferyi, which will be further endangered as a result of these large-scale mining projects. The environmental group Panalipdan- SMR emphasized that the M3ENG report also highlights the impact of the project on the coastal and marine ecosystems in the area which is part of the eastern coast of Davao Gulf. Several species of sea turtles, dolphins, whales, and seabirds live in the area. The sea cow species and all species of sea turtle found in the region are listed as endangered.

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Basic Data
Name of conflict:King-King copper and gold mine in Pantukan, Compostela, Mindanao, Philippines
Country:Philippines
State or province:Compostela Valley, Mindanao
Location of conflict:Pantukan
Accuracy of locationHIGH (Local level)
Source of Conflict
Type of conflict. 1st level:Mineral Ores and Building Materials Extraction
Type of conflict. 2nd level:Mineral ore exploration
Specific commodities:Gold
Copper
Project Details and Actors
Project details

The project is being carried out in the Pantukan region by two large-scale international companies, Nationwide Development Corporation (NADECOR) and St. Augustine Gold and Copper Limited (SAGCL). The King-king Copper-Gold Project is part of a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) between the Philippine government and the Nationwide Development Corporation (NADECOR), based in Manila. St. Augustine Copper-Gold Ltd (SAGCL), based in Spokane, Washington, USA, is managing the technical aspects of the project, which, if approved, would lead to the displacement of the local tribal populations.

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Project area:1600
Level of Investment for the conflictive project2,000,000,000
Type of populationRural
Start of the conflict:2012
Company names or state enterprises:Nationwide Development Corporation (NADECOR) from Philippines
St. Augustine Gold and Copper Limited (SAGCL) from United States of America
Relevant government actors:Government of Philippines
Army of Philippines
Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available:Panalipdan-SMR, Philippines
Save Pantukan Movement
Human rights group Karapatan
Conflict & Mobilization
IntensityHIGH (widespread, mass mobilization, violence, arrests, etc...)
Reaction stagePREVENTIVE resistance (precautionary phase)
Groups mobilizing:Artisanal miners
Farmers
Indigenous groups or traditional communities
Local ejos
Neighbours/citizens/communities
Social movements
Women
Ethnically/racially discriminated groups
Lumad indigenous peoples (Mansaka tribe). Human rights groups.
Forms of mobilization:Development of a network/collective action
Involvement of national and international NGOs
Media based activism/alternative media
Public campaigns
Impacts
Environmental ImpactsPotential: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil contamination, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Mine tailing spills, Air pollution, Waste overflow
Health ImpactsPotential: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…), Occupational disease and accidents, Other Health impacts
Socio-economical ImpactsVisible: Increase in violence and crime, Militarization and increased police presence, Specific impacts on women, Violations of human rights
Potential: Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Loss of landscape/sense of place
Outcome
Project StatusProposed (exploration phase)
Conflict outcome / response:Criminalization of activists
Deaths, Assassinations, Murders
Repression
Violent targeting of activists
Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?:No
Briefly explain:Teresita Navacilla, a leader of the opposition to large scale mining, was shot in January 2016. She is one of several anti-mining leaders killed in the area.
Sources & Materials
References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries

King-king Technical Report NI 43-101 Preliminary Feasibility Study, conducted by M3 Engineering & Technology, Tucson, Arizona, US, issued on October 28, 2013, downloaded at http://www.sagcmining.com/…/NI-43-101_King-king_Rev.0-10-28…
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King-King copper mine seen to get approval next month, Reuters, October 30, 2015
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Antimining activist dies after ComVal gun attack, Frinston L. Lim / @inquirerdotnet, Inquirer Mindanao / February 01, 2016
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Report on the killing of Teresita Navacilla
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Anti-mining woman activist dies three days after shooting; Karapatan condemns rise of killings, press release, 30 Jan. 2016
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Woman anti-mining activist in Compostela Valley dies. Jan. 29, 2016 ZEA IO MING C. CAPISTRANO
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CHR probes death of Navacilla, 60, questions motivation of killers, posted on February 8, 2016 by Ma. Cecilia Badian



THE COMMISSION on Human Rights (CHR) is now investigating the death of 60-year old Teresita S. Navacilla, a purok leader of Gumayan, Barangay Kingking, Pantukan in Compostela Valley. 8 February 2016.
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Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network

Anti-large scale mining activist killed in Compostela Valley, InterAksyon.com, January 30, 2016
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Other comments:There are many killings of environmentalists in the Southern Mindanao region (and also in North Luzon), before and after the government of president Duterte in the Philippines. "Environmental group Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) is alarmed over recent extrajudicial killings, illegal detention and other human rights violations allegedly carried out by military agents in North Luzon and Southern Mindanao." http://www.philstar.com/nation/2016/09/21/1625992/green-group-decries-attacks-environmentalists
Meta information
Last update21/10/2016
Conflict ID:2435
Comments
Legal notice / Aviso legal
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