MANILA - Around 200 female activists conducted a flash mob in front of the Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) office in Makati City on International Women’s Day to protest corporate mining.

Among the women who danced to the tune of “I Am Woman” (originally performed by Helen Reddy) were members of activist groups, students, and other concerned individuals.

In a statement, the group condemned SMI’s operation of the Tampakan Copper-Gold Project in Mindanao, which it claimed has been causing tension among the B’laan women in southern Philippines due to their displacement from their homes.

The project, they said, also gave rise to prostitution in the area, and threatens the health of residents due to environmental damage.

Earlier this year, the government granted an environmental clearance for the $5.9-billion project, purported to be the country’s largest foreign direct investment.

SMI operates the Tampakan Project on behalf of its shareholders Xstrata Copper, Indophil Resources NL and Tampakan Group of Companies.