Lack of consultations:NCIP, NGO hit Abra gold plant construction

By Ginalyn Brioso

LAGANGILANG, Abra –  A non-government group in the province and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples assailed “lack of transparency” by the Three Kings 2040 Mining Inc. in constructing a gold processing plant here.   

This, as Mayor Patrocinio Abaya Jr. said the plant is not yet operational as the company is still processing

other documentary requirements for  its operation.

 Carmelita Bersalona of the Abra Peace Conveners’ Group and lawyer Russell Bragas of the NCIP said consultations with the people as provided for under the NCIP’s “free, prior, information consultation (FPIC) requirement should be done before the project is started.

Abaya said the gold processing plant at Barangay Tagodtod here was recently given an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

He said this would balance adverse effects of irresponsible mining in the province.

Abaya said mining in Abra upland municipalities, was already rampant when he was a small boy. 

He added Lagangilang being the first town before going up to the upland municipalities will most likely suffer result of irresponsible mining  as it  will contaminate their waterways especially so that their main water source comes from Baay River,  and Licuan-Baay is known for small scale mining activity.

As long as there is small scale mining in the upland areas, the province needs a centralized gold processing plant to contain and treat all chemicals used, according to Abaya. 

Engineer. Ernesto Aton Sr. of the DENR said mercury as one component in gold processing being used mostly  by small scale miners    can be very toxic.

If not properly treated, it could contaminate waterways, farms, and plants. When people eat vegetables contaminated with mercury it could go up to their bloodstream and block the flow of blood and oxygen resulting to death.

The establishment of the processing plant would also  help economic activity in pro-people and pro-environmental ways through responsible mining, he added.

According  to Aton, the  gold processing plant in Lagangilang being constructed by the Three Kings 2040 Mining Inc.  was issued  ECC Number CAR 1401-00-10.

Meanwhile, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Leonard Andanan  said the SP has  come up with an ordinance allowing a centralized provincial mineral disposal area and processing plant with certain conditions.

One is to close the plant any moment if it is proven detrimental to the environment.