MP miners urged: Legalize operations

By Andrew Doga-ong

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Responsible mining and registration of small-scale mining operations in the province were among concerns raised in a recent forum on small scale mining in this capital-town.

Provincial Administrator Johnny Co,who represented Gov.  Leonard Mayaen, cited need for the local miners to register their small scale mining operations as required  by law.

The Environment and Natural Resources Office here reported that  small scale miners in the province are reluctant to legalize their mining operations despite conducting their mining activities for  several years now.

Co said small scale mining has now become a major sector in the province that provides employment opportunities to communities that host such  mining operations.

Small scale mining activities which are being done in some barangays of Bontoc, Sagada, Besao and Tadian towns are said to have employed more than one thousand residents.

Stressing that the provincial government is very supportive to small scale mining activities done by local residents, Co urged the miners to be responsible and do something to help in preserving and protecting the environment. 

Mining industries have been reported  to be contributory to the diminishing of forest trees as it uses lumber in its  operations.

“It is important that small scale mining activities should not destroy our environment, rather it should help sustain the green scenery of our mountains and forests as well as protect our watersheds,” Co told mining forum-participants. 

He said green sceneries of the province continue to entice local and foreign visitors while it makes it also distinct from the other provinces whose mountains are now denuded.

In his briefing on the integrated gold-copper recovery technology, Department of Science and Technology provincial director Norberto Cobaldez said the new technology if adopted by the local miners will not only save them and the environment from the adverse effects of the deadly chemicals they are using but will also enhance their production.

The IGCR technology makes use of enhanced flotation and gravity which is said to recover about 90 percent as against the 65 percent with   use of mercury in gold extraction.

Health officials have said practice of using mercury in gold extraction will not  only put the health and lives of the miners at risk but also other people who may eat plants or animals contaminated by the poisonous elements.

Cobaldez advised small scale miners to have their organizations registered and their mining activities legalized so they can avail of the technology.

Also present during the forum to discuss their programs for benefit of miners were Department of Trade and Industry Provincial Chief Juliet Lucas and Oscar Panilas of the Environment and Natural Resources Office.