By Manuel T. Cayon / Mindanao Bureau Chief
DAVAO CITY—The government is set to pilot-test a processing plant for gold and copper in mineral-rich Compostela Valley, the provincial information office said on Thursday.
The provincial government signed on Monday a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the project Field-testing of the Integrated Gold-Copper Mineral Processing Pilot Plant in the Regions at the provincial capitol lobby.
The processing plant with integrated operation to process gold and copper would be funded by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Experts from the Department of Mining of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman said the plant would apply “the method [that] helps produce more, since this technology extracts double amount of gold than the usual method.”
“This also extracts coppers from the same ores in a single process,” the provincial information office said, quoting UP experts who accompanied their officials to the MOU signing.
The information office said the pilot-testing of the processing plant “is to help small-scale mining communities through the new technologically innovative and pro-environment mineral processing and extractive methods.”
“This is a safer method on gold-processing for it uses no harmful chemicals like mercury and cyanide,” it added.
The DOST said the technology is now being used in Benguet, Bicol and the Caraga region.
The provincial office said it has partnered with UP Diliman, the DOST-Region 11, the barangay government of Katipunan and the Nabunturan Integrated Miners Development Cooperative, whose town would host the field testing of the plant.
It added that small-scale mining communities of barangays Mainit, Tagnocon and Katipunan will participate in the pilot- testing of the plant.
Dr. Herman Mendoza, who represented UP Diliman Chancellor Dr. Michael L. Tan and DOST 11 Regional Director Dr. Anthony Sales have assured of their commitment to help the province. The two institutions would serve as the research and technology agency.
The signatories to the MOU were Vice Gov. Manuel Zamora, who represented Gov. Arturo Uy, and Mendoza.
DOST Director Dr. Anthony Sales, NIMDC Chairman Miguel Bagaipo Sr. and Vice Chairman Mr. Gil Indino; Provincial Director of National Commission on Indigenous People Roger S. Lumbin; Officer in Charge of Compostela Valley State College Dr. Jonathan Bayogan and Nabunturan Vice Mayor Dodong Sotto witnessed the signing.