KORONADAL CITY (Mindanews / November 6)  – The Sagittarius Mines Inc., operator of the gold and copper mines in Tampakan town has hired a member of the famous trio, Apo Hiking Society, to help craft a better image in a community with a strong Church-led opposition to the mining operation.

But the acceptance by Danny Javier of the job as “strategist” for SMI has surprised non-government organizations and environmentalist groups. Apo Hiking Society's advocacy for many pro-people's issues – including good governance and ecological conservation - has appeared inconsistent with Javier's entry into SMI's fold, so the anti-mining advocates insist.


John B. Arnaldo, Sagittarius corporate communications manager, confirmed Javier's entry into the company, and said it was he who recruited the veteran performer to their fold.

Javier now works as a “strategist” for the massive copper and gold project straddling South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur. Aside from being a member of the famous trio, Javier is also president of Pidro Communications, Inc., producer of the Pidro t-shirts that depict Filipino culture.

Javier said he was not new to the mining industry as his father's work in the industry had brought him to many mining communities before.

With SMI, he said he was asked to help address issues raised by various stakeholders, including critics.

“I’m going to immerse in the communities in the next few days to have a deeper grasp of their culture,” Javier said.
Sagittarius is controlled by Switzerland-based Xstrata Copper with 62.5 percent stake, with Australian firm Indophil Resources as its junior partner. Filipino conglomerate Alsons Corp. also holds a minor  company share.

Although still on exploration stage, the Tampakan copper and gold project has met opposition from environmentalists and the local Catholic Church.

Lately, the company was also confronted by complaining B’laan natives residing in Bong Mal in Barangay Kimlawis, Kiblawan in Davao del Sur. Pilo Capion, leader of the B'laans, accused the company of deceit and intimidation, which Sagittarius officials denied.

Javier’s entry has not escaped scrutiny of surprised critics.

“Terrible, the company is now using singers to deceive the communities?” said Jean Marie M. Ferraris,  campaigner of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center based in Davao City.

“I thought the Apo Hiking Society is an environmentalist (group). Not good news to end my day,” reacted Sister Susan O. Bolanio, a member of the Oblates of Notre Dame.

Javier parried criticisms, saying, "I'm an environmentalist by heart, too.”  He said he would ensure that the company complies with environmental standards. “I will not allow the company to proceed if even only one voice in the community disagrees with the project.”

SMI officials said latest estimates of the Tampakan copper deposits placed it as one of the largest undeveloped copper and gold deposits in Southeast Asia.

Last month, SMI came out with the latest resource estimates at not less than 2.4 billion tons at a grade of 0.6% copper and 0.2 grams per ton gold and contains 13.5 million tons of copper and 15.8 million ounces of gold, using a 0.3% copper cut-off grade.