The two subsidiaries of mining company Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC) will resume their mining operations after the local government lifted the temporary suspension, amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
In a disclosure on Monday, Surigao Del Norte-based mining companies Taganito Mining Corp. and Hinatuan Mining Corp. have been given the green light to continue mining operations by the local government.
Surigao Del Norte Governor Francisco T. Matugas issued a memorandum order on Friday that ordered the resumption of mining activities and allowed the continued operations of export companies, including mining companies and mineral processing plants.
The memorandum order also permitted the entry of foreign vessels of export-oriented companies within Surigao Del Norte.
The two mining companies will also resume their ore shipment activities.
However, they will require the crew of foreign vessels and stevedores loading the ores to the vessels to strictly observe quarantine guidelines.
Taganito and Hinatuan accounted for 59% of Nickel Asia’s total nickel ore shipments for 2019. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
