RE: Interesting article............
That is a good article from Reuters especially the authors notes on the Obstacles below
"OBSTACLES
Cristino Panlilio, an undersecretary at the Department of Trade and Industry, said potential investment in the industry could reach as much as $13.5 billion in the next two years, although that included some projects already announced.
He cited several projects in the pipeline including the $5.2 billion Tampakan gold-copper prospect of Xstrata Plc (XTA.L: Quote) in South Cotabato, which has been put at risk by a provincial ban on open pit mining. [nSGE66C06M]
Aquino has said he wants to find a compromise solution to that dispute. [ID:nSGE66C06M]
In July, the influential Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines called on the government to scrap a law that allowed foreign investors to fully own local mining ventures, saying natural resources should be used for Filipinos. "
Explains to me some of the reasons for the SP being in a holding pattern.