SAYING that the costs far outweigh the benefits, an environmental group opposed proposals to establish a Minahang Bayan that will legalize small-scale mining operation in the town of Quirino, Ilocos Sur.
“Cost-benefit analysis show that small-scale mining is not economically feasible and would only cause serious environmental damage,” said Sherwin de Vera, regional coordinator of the Ilocos Network for the Environment.
De Vera was among the leaders of people’s organizations and nongovernmental organizations who took part in a multistakeholder consultation-meeting organized by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau -Region 1 Office and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur, to discuss the possibility of establishing a Minahang Bayan for small-scale mining activities in the province.
Small-scale mining is going on in Barangay Patiacan, an area covered by an exploration permit of Freeport McMoran-Phelps Dodge, which reportedly temporarily stopped operation last year owing to threats by the local New People’s Army.
Executive Order 79, signed by President Aquino, prohibits small-scale mining activities outside Minahang Bayan, an area where only small-scale mining is allowed. Minahang Bayan is also off limits to mining companies.
During the consultation-meeting, antimining groups registered their stiff opposition and demanded that destructive mining activities be stopped to prevent further environmental damage in the area.
De Vera said farming communities in six barangays in the town of Quirino have already started to feel the brunt of mining’s adverse environmental impact, owing to small-scale mining activities in barangay Patiacan alone.
He quoted a report prepared by Defend Ilocos and Ilocos Sur Human Rights Alliance early this year, exposing the massive environmental destruction caused by mining in the area.
The report said that six barangays—Patiacan, Patungcaleo, Lamag, Malideg, Banoen and Cayus—are affected. Close to around 5,000 people in surrounding areas have been affected by mining as early as 2008, the report said.
On April 25 a massive fish kill occurred along a 3-kilometer stretch or portion of the Balasian River. Several farmers have also complained of substantial drop in palay or rice production.
According to Defend Ilocos, the construction and operation of leaching pond in Mount Makawkawa is threatening to contaminate spring water that has been feeding the water system of two communities below the project site.
Small-scale mining companies, de Vera said, have been digging for gold and copper ore in an open-pit mine in the area since 2009. Mining activities intensified in 2011, reportedly because of financing by local politicians.
Heavy equipment are being used to extract copper and gold ores, which are being hauled by two dump trucks, according to de Vera. The small-scale mining law prohibits the use of heavy equipment, such as excavators or tractors or pay-loaders.
“It is highly possible that even as a Minahang Bayan is established in Quirino, there’s a big possibility that small scale miners will use cooperatives as their dummies to continue mining operation,” he said.
While he added that there are many small-scale miners who are interested in the establishment of a Minahang Bayan in Quirino town, there is no assurance that they will make enough money from such endeavor, while along with other people, suffer the brunt of environmental destruction caused by mining.