A large-scale copper mine in the Philippines, the Tampakan project, remains contested despite national government approval and potential investment from a Chinese state-owned metals giant. The project has faced decades of opposition from the Catholic Church, civil society organizations, and local communities concerned about environmental damage and its impact on their livelihoods.
Tampakan Mine Faces Ongoing Opposition
Bishop Cirilo Casicas of the Diocese of Marbel in South Cotabato warned of a “permanent footprint” of acid mine drainage in the open pit, waste rock facility, and tailings ponds if the mine proceeds. The Catholic Church has actively campaigned against the mine for many years.
Rene Pamplona, programme coordinator of Convergence of Initiatives for Environmental Justice (CIEJ) and national chair of Alyansa Tigil Mina, vowed to continue fighting the project. “We will not allow them to turn even a single stone in our mountains,” Pamplona stated, adding that opposition would continue “on the ground or in the technical and legal arena.”
Shifting Ownership and Regulatory Hurdles
Ownership of the Tampakan project, developed under the umbrella of SMI, has changed hands several times. Australian firm Glencore withdrew in 2015 due to regulatory uncertainty, leading to control by Indophil Resources Philippines, which is linked to one of the Philippines’ most powerful business families, the Sy family.
A nationwide ban on open-pit mining in 2017 initially appeared to halt the project. However, the ban was reversed in 2021 under the Duterte administration, despite a local ban remaining in effect.
Rising Copper Prices and Potential Investment
By 2023, increased demand and surging copper prices renewed interest in the Tampakan mine. The project has since been positioned as a key component of the Philippine government’s strategy to become a critical minerals supplier.
In 2024, reports surfaced that Chinalco, a Chinese state-owned metals giant, was considering a stake in the project, potentially valued at around US$2 billion. No deal has been publicly confirmed.
Despite the unclear ownership situation, signs and infrastructure at the mining site suggest the project is moving forward. However, the mine remains deeply divisive locally, even with approval from the national government.
Pamplona expressed concern that opening the Tampakan mine could lead to further mining operations across the Philippines. “If you open Tampakan, nothing will stop other mining areas from operating as well,” he said. He emphasized the need to “defend our last frontier” and “defend our life support system in this region.”
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