DENR-6 moves to cancel miner’s production deal

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Western Visayas ordered the cancellation of the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) of a mining company in southern Negros Occidental.

The order was directed at Sipalay City-based Maricalum Mining Corp.

DENR-6 Regional Executive Director Francisco Milla Jr. said the regional Mines and Geosciences Bureau forwarded the recommendation to cancel the MPSA to DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu.

Milla said the MPSA covers around 2,700 hectares of forest, including alienable and disposable lands.

Once the MPSA is cancelled, the government will automatically use the land occupied by Maricalum for its own discretion.