Aussie firm in Vizcaya mining changes name again

InquirerLast updated 06:13am (Mla time) 07/22/2007

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view_article.php?article_id=78056

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines—An Australian firm that wants to conduct large-scale mining activities in upland Kasibu town has changed its name for the second time in nearly three years. Company officials claim the move is part of a corporate packaging strategy.

Australasian Philippines Mining Inc. (Apmi) is now known as OceanaGold Phils., Inc., by virtue of a 2006 merger in Australia between Climax Mining Ltd, Apmi’s parent company, and OceanaGold Ltd, said Ramoncito Gozar, the company’s associate director for communications and external affairs.
“Apmi in the Philippines just sought for a change in name (because) we want the company to be international in a sense, because OceanaGold is better known internationally. It’s just branding,” he said.

OceanaGold is aiming to start its proposed gold-copper project in Didipio village amid opposition from the local communities.

Formerly known as Climax Arimco Mining Corp. (CAMC), the company gained entry into the country through a financial and technical assistance agreement with the government in 1994.

CAMC later transferred the FTAA to Apmi in a 2004 agreement. However, it has failed to start actual mining operations after failing to get the consent of local communities, as required by the Local Government Code of 1991.

The change of name became known early this month when the company tried to start exploration activities in Papaya village in Kasibu, drawing opposition from locals.

Villagers said mining should never be allowed in their area because it has been declared through a local ordinance as a watershed for about 10,000 hectares of citrus plantations in Malabing Valley.

“Geologists came insisting that they no longer needed the consent of the community. People there are confused because we are facing an enemy that is constantly changing its looks,” Prescilla Guilao, Papaya village treasurer, said in the dialect.

She said the people also suspected that rich foreign businessmen were using different corporations as dummies.

Guilao noted that another Australian company, Oxiana Phils., was also granted an exploration permit covering about 5,800 ha in nearby Pao village.

Papaya residents said the change of name was meant not only as a “cosmetic remedy” to boost the company’s image before mining investors, or to evade liability for its previous actions. Melvin Gascon, Inquirer Northern Luzon