Ban on black sand mining in Ilocos Sur declared

BAGUIO CIY, Philippines - The  Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has declared a ban on all black sand extraction in Ilocos Sur and ordered a moratorium on the issuance of mineral processing permits for such.

Leo Jasareno, MGB director, has recently vowed in a dialogue with various groups to halt all black sand mining operations in Ilocos Sur. Those who were engaging in the activity, he said, had no mining permits.

The MGB has previously prohibited mining in beach areas 200 meters from the mean low tide onshore where most of the magnetite concentrates are located.

The MGB geohazard mapping says that the coastal areas of Ilocos Sur is highly vulnerable to water and wind erosion,  making sand mining unsuitable.

Jasareno also learned that the MGB Region I has failed to implement the cease and desist order (CDO) against Taiwanese-owned Wellresource Mining Co. operating in Caparacadan, Caoayan and San Sebastian, San Vicente in Ilocos Sur.

Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) issued for  the company's operation did not give it right  to extract minerals and should be revoked if it is found violating  the country's laws, the MGB chief said. 

Jasareno said the failure of the MGB regional office was owing to the support to mining of local government units .

Jasareno has vowed intervention of the MGB and DENR national offices and other concerned agencies to implement the CDO against Wellresource and address the problem of unrestrained illegal blacksand extraction in Ilocos Sur.

Among others, Jasareno said he will pursue legal actions against Wellresource, recommend its blacklisting to concerned offices and directed MGB Region I to strictly monitor blacksand extraction and transport activities in the province.

The MGB is undertaking a review of all ECC and mining permits issued related to blacksand mining and revocation of permits of companies and individuals found to have violated environmental laws, Jasareno said.