MGB stops “gold mining” operations in Negros Oriental

CEBU, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued a cease and desist order  over the alleged illegal gold mining and processing operations  in  Barangay  San  Francisco, Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental.

 “We received information from Santa Catalina Mayor Nathaniel Electona that he’s going to enforce the closure order this Thursday (August 21) to at least 12 ball or rod mills used in recovering the gold materials,” said MGB-7 Regional Director Loreto Alburo.

 A follow-up letter dated August 1 by Alburo to Electona after two separate letters last April 21 and May 2 said “immediate stoppage of the gold mining and processing operations in Barangay San Francisco should be carried out as the activity poses danger to human lives.”

 “We have given them enough time to dismantle their facilities and to stop their illegal operations until such time they are going to secure the necessary permits from the concerned government agencies,” Alburo added.

 “It is important to implement the closure order as the activity continues to be a threat to human lives particularly the health and safety of the workers are compromised, “said DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Isabelo Montejo.

 The MGB-7 asked Electona, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to implement the order.

 The MGB-7, in its investigation, observed that small-scale miners were carrying out the amalgamation method or using mercury in recovering gold through gold panning, which is prohibited under Executive Order 79.  The activity covers more than 500 hectares in Sitios Damuyog, Kabuyonan, and Bancolino in Barangay San Francisco, Santa Catalina.

 Gold panning is a simple method of separating particles of gold from soil or gravels by washing it in a pan with water.

 Montejo said exposure to mercury—even in small amounts—may cause serious health problems, and is a threat to the development of a child in the uterus and early in life.

 He said mercury may have toxic effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, and on the lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes. It is considered by the World Health Organization as one of the top 10 chemicals or groups of chemicals of major public health concern.

 In a dialogue last August 14 at the Santa Catalina municipal hall attended by more than 60 gold mining operators with some MGB-7 personnel led by mining operations officer Raul Laput, Electona, and San Franciso Barangay Captain Abundio Amil Jr., the miners were informed that the government will enforce the closure order with the AFP and the PNP.

 The alleged financiers of the operations were invited to join the dialogue but failed to attend.

 Amil padlocked the rod or ball mills sometime in May this year but the operators allegedly forced open the said facilities after several days.

 In a dialogue, Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer – Dumaguete City Efren Rumbaoa and Environment Management Bureau Provincial Focal Point Person Loreto Rivac explained a number of environmental laws violated by the small scale miners.

 Meanwhile, the MGB-7 received a petition by a certain Jezebel Tilos with more than 100 signatures addressed to Electona opposing the illegal gold mining activity since according to the signatories, the operation affects the water resources in the area, destroys the mountains, and damages forest resources.

 Tilos asked Electona to construct a dike to allow water to pass through to prevent flooding and to stop the illegal gold mining.

 The Philippines is one of the world’s top producers of gold, which comes from the mines of Benguet, Paracale in Camarines Norte, and, on a larger scale, in Compostela Valley.  (FREEMAN)