The mine was permitted to operate for 25 years under a Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) with the government in June 1994.
[2] In 2023, the mine produces 14,200 metric tons (31,300,000 lb) of copper and 138,500 ounces (3,930 kg) of gold.
[5][6][7] In 2007 and 2008, the mine was ordered closed by then-governor Luisa Cuaresma, leading to charges being filed against her and other officials of the Nueva Vizcaya provincial government.
[8] In 2019, the mine's operation was again halted by governor Carlos Padilla even after the approval of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
[9] In July 2021, the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC) and other environmentalist groups denounced the renewal of the mine's operations citing that "[it] flies in the face of the will of the local government and groups of Tuwali indigenous people.” and adding that it disrupts agricultural livelihoods, and contributing to the air and water pollution to area.