Open pit mining is safer - Jesuit priest

MANILA, Philippines - Jesuit priest Emeterio Barcelon, talking to local media this week, sent a message to the South Cotabato provincial government that the open-pit mining method is the safest mining method in extracting minerals.

“Tunneling is very risky in terms of safety of the workers and the method has environmental impact that cannot be easily seen since it us underground”, Barcelon said.

Barcelon also said what the proponent of the proposed Tampakan mining project should do is to continue talking to people, including the bishops of the Catholic Church to help people understand.

The old mining industry, according to Barcelon, was too dependent on tunneling or underground mining and we saw a lot of accidents.

But Barcelon emphasized that these are accidents that can now be prevented with regulations and new technologies in mining.

“Communication is key to make people understand that there will be a footprint but the rest can easily be rehabilitated”, he said.

Barcelon lamented the tendency of some people to just listen to the opinion of people in power and said people should instead try to study and learn.

“It also happens in the Catholic Church when priests just follow what their bishops say”, he said.

Barcelon explained that there can be a balance between the impact and the benefits when we talk of mining.

“I believe that we can achieve balance and aim for responsible mining”, he said.

Barcelon said that Philippine economy needs the mining industry “if we are to fight poverty and provide jobs for our people”.

“South Cotabato is very lucky to have this rich mineral deposit and they should use it”, he said.