Ferns, forests, and freshwater: Scientists and Communities take stock of the Tampakan Mine’s ecological risks

(Koronadal, South Cotabato, May 15, 2026) With environmental impact reports on the controversial Tampakan Copper-Gold Project being withheld from the public, scientists, communities, civil society, and public officials gathered last May 13 to confront the interconnected ecological risks posed by the mine’s continued development. The project straddles the quadri-boundary of the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and Davao del Sur.

“Frontline communities and civil society are reporting increasing development activities on the ground by Sagittarius Mines Inc., the proponent of the Tampakan mining project. These activities are proceeding despite the proponent’s continued denial of public consultations and public access to legally mandated environmental impact assessments. We therefore sought independent scientific studies to assess what is at stake if the Tampakan mine proceeds without addressing outstanding ecological concerns,” said Leon Dulce, Campaigns Support and Linkages Coordinator for the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC).  

Researchers from the Ateneo de Davao University Tropical Institute for Climate Studies (TropICS), the University of Southern Mindanao Department of Biology, Ateneo de Manila University Institute for Environmental Science and Social Change, and the University of the Philippines Community Science Hub were among the experts convened at Tampakan Water forum.

They presented studies on watersheds, climate, and forest biodiversity across the mine’s upstream and downstream areas. They also co-produced scientific analyses with affected communities and civil society on the potential harms of leaving these environmental concerns unaddressed.

“Satellite data indicate a net forest loss of 3,306 hectares between 2000 and 2020 across the five watersheds emanating from the Tampakan mine site (6,017 Ha lost vs. 2,711 Ha gained). Nearly 90% of these watersheds face high agricultural drought risk, underscoring their vulnerability,” said Frances Jan Marie Manlagaylay, a Master’s Student of Tropical Risk Management and Research Team Representative of TropICS.

“The Mal basin, which hosts most of the TCGMP infrastructure, recorded the steepest forest decline and is highly exposed to drought, flood, and landslide hazards. The mine site itself overlaps directly with flood- and landslide-prone areas. If operations proceed, the Tampakan mining footprint is expected to exacerbate forest loss and intensify climate-related risks,” Manlagaylay warned.

A recent report by regional media MindaNews revealed that a Freedom of Information (FOI) request regarding the number of trees allowed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the mining project was denied, citing their FOI Manual’s list of exceptions.

“The various scientific inputs during the forum raise questions around whether SMI was able to assess and sufficiently provide mitigating measures on the potential loss of keystone fauna such as pteridophytes, or on the cost-benefit tradeoffs between the mining production with watershed-wide and forest landscape-wide impacts,” explained Dulce.

Prior to this, LRC  has repeatedly attempted to file for FOI requests for the Tampakan mine’s latest Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), to the same result. In November last year, the Center, alongside the Diocese of Marbel, led the filing of a case before the Supreme Court challenging this denial of information.

“Watersheds don’t recognize project or political boundaries. But because information remains inaccessible, we cannot prevent ecological disruptions. Once they happen, the impacts can travel downstream and affect water security, food systems, biodiversity, and livelihoods far beyond the direct impact area,” Dulce ended.#