Expert: 31 abandoned mining sites pose risks

MANILA, Philippines - An expert has warned that the environment and the people living near 31 abandoned mining sites in the country are facing great dangers due to soil erosion and flooding in these areas.

Appearing before the House committee on natural resources, Marcial Mateo of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said of the 31 abandoned, inactive and closed mines throughout the country, only that in Bagacay, Western Samar is being rehabilitated through a loan from the World Bank.

Mateo said mine rehabilitation is not an assurance that the problem of erosion or flooding will be addressed.

The inquiry was prompted by separate resolutions filed by Reps. Sharon Garin (AAMBIS-OWA party-list) and Raymond Palatino (Kabataan party-list) urging the House to conduct an investigation into the matter.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco Matugas, chairman of the panel, asked Mateo to submit a report on the status of funds intended for mine rehabilitation.

Palatino asked the MGB to assess the status of abandoned or non-operating mines in the country and their impact on the environment and on the health and safety of the surrounding communities.

He cited a study made in 2001 by the US-based environmental consultancy firm Tetra Tech EM Inc. identifying abandoned mining sites which it said pose environmental and health risks.

Identified were abandoned mining sites in Zambales, Pangasinan, Kalinga, Benguet, Agusan del Sur, Negros, Marinduque, Eastern Samar, Albay, Romblon, Palawan, Camarines Norte, Samar, Surigao del Norte, and Isabela.