LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS NO. 269

TO    :    The Director Bureau of Mines

For purposes of clarifying the scope and intent of Letter of Instructions No. 184 and in order not to Impede the progress of mining operations for minerals other than bauxite, aluminous laterites and other alumina-bearing deposits, you are to resume the selective processing of mining claims in the island of Samar. The following guidelines are to be followed:

1.    Based on the findings of the initial geological survey and surface exploration of the Bureau for alumina-bearing deposits on Samar and adjacent islands, areas wherein potential deposits of these minerals exist as would warrant more detailed subsurface investigation shall be closed to all mining operation. The processing of all existing claims therein shall correspondingly be suspended.

2.    All other areas in Samar and adjacent islands found negative for alumina-bearing minerals shall be opened to mining operations and the Bureau shall resume processing claims and applications therein.

3.    All claimholders, mining operators, permittees and lessees as may be allowed upon prior clearance of the Bureau of Mines, to resume mining operations or whose claims are subsequently perfected by virtue of the provisions of this Letter of Instructions shall nevertheless make it binding upon themselves, under penalties to be prescribed by the Bureau of Mines, to report any discovery of alumina-bearing deposits to the Bureau of Mines at the soonest possible instance. Furthermore, all rights to said mineral deposits shall be waived in favor of the Government subject to such compensation as may be approved by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Director of Mines.

Since 19.07.98.