Food AND mining: The power of a new paradigm

Words have a latent power precisely because we use words to describe our world view. Take for example the conjunction 'or' it says choose; take one, but not the other. It is a limiting word. 'Or' puts a constraint on what is possible, the word 'or' sets paramaters where there may not be any. Such is the power of language, now if we replace it with 'and' then you can begin to talk about the possibility of having your cake AND eating it too, your mind is free to look for solutions.

Our world is constantly changing, and so is the realm of what can be done. The truth is our reality is shaped by our God-given inquisitiveness which results in pursuit of knowledge and our inventiveness or the ability to use technology in our exercise of stewardship over all of creation. Its natural and part of being human.

And so it is with the mining and agriculture debate. Some people think that the two are at odds since they both rely on land and they require resources to produce an output. Those who think in terms of 'or' worry that it is one or the other, that we have to choose between the two. What if both can be done at the same time, with no detriment to the other, and instead both complimenting the other. Is such a thing really possible? Yes! welcome to the year 2010.

Why not?

For years scientific studies have been conducted by the world's best and most trusted names regarding environmental impact, feasibility of mining operations and mineral production and there conclusions are clear that both mining and farming can be done in Mindoro.

The lands used for farms won't be affected, the critical watersheds and waterways for the irrigation of farms won't be harmed and the poeple/resources won't be redirected towards mining instead they will be sustained by it.

How?

I got some good info from the Intex Norway website http://intexresources.com and the local website http://www.intexresources.com.ph. And I was able to come up with 9 main reasons why food and mining can co-exist in Mindoro.

1. In Mindoro the proposed nickel mine will operate in the mountains and other terrain wherein agriculture is not feasible. Furthermore the impact is minimal thanks to the technology that will be employed and rehabilitation work will leave the land even better than the original state.
2. The proposed mine site must pass stringent environmental standards to be approved by the DENR and this includes an assessment of any impact in the community and the environment including any body of water. The Mindoro Nickel Project will not have any measurable impacts for the supply of water to the rice fields in either Oriental or Occidental Mindoro.
3. If and when mining begins a by-product of the process is ammonium sulfate. Fertilizer will be made available at a more affordable price to ALL farmers in our country.
4. Also since flooding is a perennial problem causing loss of crops worth millions of pesos, it would be in Mindoro Nickel's best interest to solve the flooding problem initially in the areas in which it operates, protecting the farming and fishing communities therein.
5. In addition the farmers and their children, as well as the unemployed, the new graduates and the growing number of people who live below the poverty line will have more opportunities for livelihood and employment if they choose to supplement their income from farming in the off season.
6. Thanks to the multiplier effect- that comes with an estimated 5,000 employees during construction and 2,000 during operations; farmers and entrepreneurs will have a captive market for their goods and services right in Mindoro.
7. Surplus energy will be shared with the community, eliminating the frequent blackouts and increasing productivity.
8. Better infrastructure (in the form of better roads, bridges, ports, etc) will help make the transport of produce from farm to market easier and more effective. Not to mention new schools, hospitals, malls, markets, housing etc
9. Taxes that will be paid to the local government will translate to better delivery of basic services for Mindoro (better education, health care, acces to water, electricity etc) and public funds to promote agriculture and local industries.

Imagine all this is possible when you change your paradigm to include the Mindoro Nickel Project instead of thinking it's a choice between farming or mining. Why choose one when you can have both? Embrace the added blessings when you use the word 'and'! Finally when it comes to the mining debate keep an open mind and listen to both sides before making a choice.