AMVI cleared to continue Philippine ops

VANCOUVER (miningweekly.com) – A joint venture between TSX-V-listed companies TVI Pacific and Mindoro Resources, Agata Mining Ventures Incorporated (AMVI), is among 12 mining companies that have passed an audit by the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and will be allowed to continue operating.

AMVI, in which TVI's 30.66%-owned subsidiary TVI Resource Development (TVIRD) holds a 60% interest, operates the Agata nickel laterite mine, in Northern Mindanao, Philippines.

Philippines Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Lopez on Thursday ordered the closure of 21 mines, mostly nickel laterite producers that account for about half of output in the world's biggest nickel ore supplier, as a government campaign to fight environmental degradation gains traction.

Another six mines have been suspended.

The closure and suspension of some of the 27 mining companies will cause the production of a significant amount of nickel direct shipping ore (DSO) in the Philippines to cease.

The South East Asian nation last year suspended operations at ten mines – including gold, copper and nickel ore producers – for environmental violations after launching an audit of the sector in July. In September, the country placed 20 mines on notice for suspension pending an audit.

"TVIRD is proud to be among those companies recognised by the DENR to be operating in accordance with the highest environmental and social standards upon which they have based their audit," stated TVI chairperson Cliff James on Thursday. He noted that operations at Agata had continued uninterrupted.

However, a raft of other miners affected by negative outcomes of the environmental audits are expected to launch legal claims against government, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines told Reuters.