DENR eyes rehabilitation of 22 abandoned mines

Despite the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision to junk critical provisions of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will rehabilitate at least 22 inactive and abandoned mines.  

"The department is implementing the rehabilitation program for abandoned as well as inactive mines in an effort to restore the natural environment in mined-out areas and turn them into government’s productive assets once again," Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Elisea Gozun said.

The mines that will intially be assessed are Acoje Mining Co., Inc. in Sta. Cruz, Zambales; Barlo Mining Corp. in Mabini Pangasinan; Batong Buhay Gold Mines Inc. in Pasil, Kalinga; Benguet Corp.-Antamok Mines in Itogon, Benguet; Benguet Consolidated Mining Corp., also in Itogon, Benguet; Benguet Corp.-Dizon in San Marcelino, Zambales; and Masinloc Chromite Mines-Benguet Corp. in Masinloc, Zambales.

The other identified mines are Benguet Exploration Mine in Tuba, Benguet; Black Mountain Inc.; also in Tuba; Filminera Resources Corp. in Rosario and Bunawan, Agusan del Sur; CDCP-Basay Mine in Basay, Negros; Ino and Capayang Mines in Mogpog, Marinduque; Heritage Mining Corp. Alamag Processing Group in Liorente, Eastern Samar; Hixbar Gold Mining in Rapu-Rapu Island, Albay; Romblon Marble Mining in Romblon;

Palawan Quicksilver Mines in Palawan; Philippine Iron Mines in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte; Philippine Pyrite Corp. in Bagacay, Samar; Silica Sand Mine in Palawan; Surigao Consolidated Mining Co. in Siana and Mapawa, Surigao del Norte; United Paragon Mining in Paracale, Camarines Norte and Vulcan Mining Corp. in Cordon, Isabela.

Gozun said the DENR has commissioned a consultancy group, Tetra Tech EM Inc., to undertake  a study on the environmental conditions of the abandoned mines by conducting soil and water sampling in these areas as well as look into the physical conditions of the plant and tailings dam.

The consultancy firm will also determine the profitability of these inactive mines if they resume operations.

At the same time, local govenrment units will also be consulted to find out if they are willing to rehabilitate the mines covered by their district.

Gozun said most of the inactive mines have been shut down in the 1960s and 1980s.