THE Australian envoy to Manila has maintained that all 12 Australian mining firms operating in the country submit to the “highest safety and environmental standards,” amid complaints of human-rights abuse against one Australian firm operating in Nueva Vizcaya on charges of killings, harassments and mass displacement of indigenous tribes.

Australian Ambassador to Manila Rod Smith said he is not aware of the human-rights abuse complaints filed against the mining company OceanaGold Philippines Inc., which operates the $320-million copper-gold mining project in Didipio in Nueva Vizcaya province.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is currently investigating the human-rights abuse charges against the operators of the OceanaGold after some 180 families of indigenous tribes in Didipio were allegedly forcibly displaced to make way for the mining operations.

Asked about the case filed with the CHR by Didipio local tribes, Ambassador Smith said: “ I am not aware of that, we have no information on that case.”

But Smith maintained: “We are confident that all the Australian mining companies in the Philippines give highest priority on sustainable development.”

He added that there are a total of 12 Australian mining companies in the Philippines that are “under different stages of operations.”

CHR chairman Leila de Lima earlier said OceanaGold was accused of forcibly demolishing some 180 houses owned by the local tribes in Didipio.

The CHR said it will investigate the Australian mine operator for alleged human-rights abuses in Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya. The complaints filed by the local tribesmen also include allegations of killings, forced negotiations and harassments.

The CHR is also investigating the killing of a local official in Didipio in May after he tried to mediate between the local officials and the mining firm.

Information obtained from the Australian embassy showed that among the Australian mining operations in the country are:

§          The Tampakan copper-gold project in South Cotabato being operated by Sagittarius Mines, Xtrata Copper and Indophil Resources;

§          Didipio copper-gold project in Nueva Vizcaya, being operated by OceanaGold firm;

§          Pujada Nickel project in Davao Oriental, being operated by BHP Billiton and QNI Philippines;

§          Aroroy gold project in Masbata, Bicol, being operated by CGA Mining;

§          Philsaga Gold Project in Agusan del Sur, being operated by Medusa mining firm;

§          Acoje PGE Nickel project in Zambales, being operated by Rusina mining company;

§          Siana Gold mining project in Surigao del Norte, being operated by Red 5 Ltd.;

§          Pao Copper-Gold project in Nueva Ecija, being operated by Royalco Resources;

§          Romblon nickel project on Sibuyan Island in Romblon, being operated by Pelican Resources;

§          Nalesbitan gold project in Camarines Norte in Bicol, being operated by Eldore Mining Corp.; and the

§         Taguibo project in Davao Oriental, being operated by Sierra Mining.

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