MANILA, Philippines—Mangyans and priests, supported by bishops, are taking their protest to Metro Manila and will go on an indefinite hunger strike beginning next week to protest mining operations that they fear will destroy a contiguous watershed area in Oriental Mindoro.
...The Norwegian mining project, which will cover 11,218 hectares, is said to be within the ancestral domain claim of the Alangan and Tadyawan indigenous Mangyan communities.
According to the Ateneo-based Simbayang Lingkod Bayan, “the large scale mining operations of Intex Resources may bring about the destruction of a contiguous watershed and that can lead to the displacement of several indigenous Mangyan communities in Oriental Mindoro.”
The mining project will span four towns—Victoria, Pola and Socorro in Oriental Mindoro and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro. It is expected to produce 100 million-120 million tons of ore over a period of 15-20 years. Mindoro’s nickel laterite deposit is believed to be one of the biggest in the world.
...SLB said the people of Mindoro are furious with the DENR’s approval of Environmental Compliance Certificate for the operation of the nickel project by Intex Resources. The ECC was issued last October 14 by Environment Secretary Lito Atienza despite strong and valid opposition from the community, the local government and the church.The national anti-mining network Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM, Alliance to Stop Mining) had earlier called for Atienza’s ouster, saying the former Manila mayor committed “dreadful acts” when he approved the project. Intex, on the other hand, had said the protesters had failed to present their arguments during the public hearings.
read more @ inquirer.net
2. gas distribution facility blows up in S. Russia -- other gas explosions in Russia
ROSTOV-ON-DON, November 13 (RIA Novosti) - A powerful explosion hit a gas distribution facility in southern Russia's Stavropol Territory on Friday, a local emergencies spokesman said.
The blast occurred at about 1:40 p.m. Moscow time (10:40 GMT). An emergency brigade and firefighters are currently working at the scene.
According to preliminary data, there are no casualties.
The causes of the blast have yet to be established.
source: ria novosti - related stories at link
3. englishman arrested in brazil for carrying 1000 live spiders
Brazil's federal police arrested here an Englishman who intended to leave the country with 1,000 live spiders packed in two suitcases, the authorities said Thursday.
Police said the arrest took place Wednesday at Rio de Janeiro's international airport, with the help of agents for the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama).
Criminal charges were set to be pressed against the man, whose identity was not revealed, and he faced a fine of up to $2.3 million, the authorities stressed.
The spiders were confiscated and were sent on to the Rio de Janeiro National Museum, where they were to be studied by experts.
source: brazil news
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