Vancouver Two of TVI Pacific’s (TVI-T) security guards have been killed in an ambush some 8 km from the Canatuan gold property in Zamboanga del Norte province, Philippines.
The junior is gearing up to start production on the promising project but has run into considerable local resistance in the area. An unknown group attacked the eight-man foot patrol monitoring the property.
Members of a rebel Muslim group known as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have reportedly approached the company. The rebel group wants TVI to pay 100,000 Philippine pesos, about $3,000 a month as protection money. Another group not happy about the resumption of operations includes the small-scale miners.
Both of the victims were locals employed by a security company hired by TVI. Currently the project has a security force of 25.
The Canatuan massive sulphide project lies on the western side of Mindanao Island. The project hosts an open pittable reserve of 1.14 million tonnes grading 3.77 grams gold and 105.7 grams silver in the oxide zone and 1.51 million tonnes grading 1.31 grams gold, 62.14 grams silver, plus 2.79% copper and 2% zinc in the sulphide zone.
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