By Jonathan L. Mayuga & Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas
Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. (FNI) on Tuesday said it is has requested the local government of Surigao del Norte for exemption from the temporary suspension of mining activities in the province.
The company said its operating arm, Platinum Group Metals Corp. (PGMC), sought the exemption via an appeal it filed with the Office of the Governor of Surigao del Norte and the Office of the Municipal Mayor of Claver. Business operations in the province have been suspended to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
In particular, FNI is appealing an executive order of the provincial government that has affected the firm’s loading of ores to foreign vessel that are already in its mine site.
“The appeal is in response to Executive Order No. 20-011, s. 2020, dated March 28, 2020, of the Provincial Governor of Surigao del Norte temporarily suspending the company’s mining operations starting April 1, 2020, until the government deems it safe to resume normal operations,” the firm said.
PGMC said the vessels have gone through the 14-day quarantine protocols after leaving their ports of origin, and have been cleared by the Bureau of Quarantine.
FNI, the country’s second-largest nickel producer, explained that Surigao del Norte’s order came a few days after Caraga region issued a harmonized guidelines that allow the entry of foreign and domestic vessels for loading ore in mine sites provided they follow necessary quarantine protocols.
The protocols, according to FNI, include that no crew are allowed to disembark from the vessels and that there will be no human physical contact between the crew and ground personnel.
“We are hoping that those in the export sector like us will be allowed to continue operations to lessen the impact of Covid-19 on the national economy,” said FNI President Dante R. Bravo.
“PGMC falls under the category of export businesses exempt from the closure of establishments according to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Department of Trade and Industry,” Bravo added.
The FNI assured the local community of Claver that it has put in place post-quarantine measures to insulate individuals from Covid-19.
FNI added that all its work will be done within the mine site and personnel involved in the operations will remain within the premises during the quarantine period.
“The significant cost we will save from this exemption will go a long way in supporting our contribution to address the impact of this pandemic to our community and in taking care of a great number of families dependent on our operations for survival,” Bravo said.
Image credits: Global Ferronickel holdings Inc