Trial court orders govt to allow Lepanto operation

A trial court in Makati has ordered government regulatory agencies to avoid disrupting the operations of Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company in Benguet, pending resolution of a dispute over its application to renew its mining contract in the area.

Lepanto said it sought arbitration after it was required to seek the consent of indigenous peoples in Mankayan, Benguet as mandated by the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) before its application for renewal to operate can be acted upon.