Diwalwal miners flock to Sulawesi

DAVAO CITY — Filipino miners, mostly from the gold-rush area at Mt. Diwalwal in Monkayo, Compostela Valley, are reportedly trying their luck at the mountains of the east Indonesian province of North Sulawesi, sources said.

This, after the government took full control of mining operations at Mt. Diwalwal last August, awarding service contracts to qualified groups of small-scale miners.

The sources mentioned at least three "big players" at Mt. Diwalwal who have flocked to the boundary of Bolaang Magondow and Minahasa in North Sulawesi where large deposits of gold ore are reportedly found.

Indonesian authorities have reportedly been keenly monitoring the activities of these Filipino miners who have been taking twice-weekly flights between Davao City and Manado serviced by Bouraq Indonesia and Merpati. — Edith Regalado