PMEA Blog

Violence is feared likely to break out in a mountainous area of the Philippines – near the site of a multi-million-dollar gold and copper mine venture by New Zealand’s largest gold miner, Oceana Gold Ltd.

The Philippine Star newspaper reported that anti-mining villagers – already stirred up over having New Zealand-listed Oceana’s operation in the area – are blockading an Australian-owned company, Oxiana Philippines, which is moving in equipment for prospecting another site.

The villagers, led by tribal elders and supported by environmental groups and the local Catholic Church, have vowed to stand their ground against the miner, despite a court order for them to clear the road leading to the exploration site.

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