DENR sets guidelines for small-scale mining

CEBU - Small-scale mining will soon step out from being a pain in the mining industry and become not only productive but environment friendly as well.

This after the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources approved, updated and harmonized with the national policy all the local mining ordinances submitted to them.

With this, focus would be given to clear guidelines on the implementation of small-scale mining laws.

MGB-7 regional director Roger de Dios said local government units that passed their ordinance are just waiting for the implementing guidelines to be drafted by the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board before their ordinance are finally realized.

This is something that MGB-7 has been pushing for so long because the bureau has always been wary of the problems usually caused by small-scale miners.

The number one headache is the absence of requirement for rehabilitation program that makes it easy for small-scale miners to abandon their place of quarry, said de Dios.

“Small-scale mining has greater environmental impact than large-scale mining because small-scale miners are not required to rehabilitate the place affected by quarrying,” de Dios said.

In the past, an area left by small-scale miners has always been hazardous, de Dios added. This is because small-scale miners do not bother to maintain drainage system and do reforestation of their mine site. Because of this, landslides, soil erosions, and other site accidents occur.

With the new small-scale mining law, miners are required to come up with the Potential Environment Impact Report, which is a simplified environmental protection and enhancement program, before they start their operation.

They are also required to do a Community Development and Management Program, a simplified Social Development and Management Program duly approved by the MGB at their respective regions.

Like the large-scale miners, small-scale miners will also be required to submit an Environmental Compliance Certificate prior their operations. Also, the use of heavy or sophisticated equipments such as excavators, loaders, backhoes, dozers, among others, is to be prohibited to minimize disturbance in the area.

De dios said that the new small-scale mining law being harmonized with the national law will bring environmental protection and safety among the people living in the community affected by quarrying.

MGB is asking the cooperation from the local government units for the implementation of these policies for the benefit of their respective locality and the government. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/WAB   (THE FREEMAN)