By Lilybeth Ison/PNA
MANILA — The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) reiterated its call for the government to intensify its campaign against illegal small-scale mining (SSM) activities.
This came after reports that another landslide, this time caused by Tropical Depression Amang, resulted in the death of four and the disappearance of three small-scale miners in Mount Mahupaw, Agusan del Norte.
In a statement late Friday, COMP said it “believes that incidents like this can be avoided if SSM activities, including their safety practices and environmental performance, are closely monitored under the Minahang Bayan set-up recognized by the government.”
Minahang Bayan refers to a common area where small-scale miners are permitted.
Under the law for small-scale mining, only three metallic minerals are allowed – – gold, silver and chromite.
“In the eyes of many, the largely illegal SSM operations with their safety and environmental problems are lumped together with the formal large-scale sector, which contributes to the poor image of the entire industry. These operations do not follow the same stringent safety and environment standards required of legitimate large-scale mining operators,” COMP said.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau estimates that more than 60 percent of the gold mined in the Philippines are from unregulated SSM operations.
COMP said apart from endangering the lives of poor mining workers and destroying the environment, illegal SSMs do not pay taxes to the government.
