Foreigners raking in money from illegal mine sites in Vizcaya

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya– Police are investigating the reported influx of foreigners, mostly Koreans in an illegal mining site in a remote, mountainous area of the province.

Reports said the foreigners were going to the mining areas in Kasibu’s Alimit and Didipio villages and in Quezon town’s Barangay Runruno to purchase mine tailings or what is locally known as luyot.

Now they are reportedly making lots of money from the lucrative trade.

Senior Supt. Elmer Beltejar, provincial police director, said they still have to check the immigration status of the foreigners.

The provincial government had been calling for the dismantling of small-scale mining operations in the area allegedly being financed by some influential businessmen and politicians.

Sources said foreign nationals, most of whom only have tourist visas are dominating the luyot trade in cahoots with some local officials.

Reports said foreigners buy mine tailings at an average of P50 per kilogram.

Sources said at least 30 trucks or at least five tons per truckload are being shipped out from the province everyday, which is equivalent to 150,000 kilograms or some P7 million.