‘Floods in Aparri town not caused by black sand mining’- MGB

by Lyndee Rose S. Basilio

TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN- On allegation that black sand mining is still in place here in Cagayan, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 02 assured that all black sand mining operations are already suspended indefinitely due to violations and compliance to Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) Resolution No. 4 calling for the adoption of measures to immediately address black sand mining operations not only in the region but in the entire country.

MGB suspended the Mineral Processing Permits of the mining companies which have been extracting black sand here in Cagayan due to violations like operating within the 200-meter prohibited zone.

There are reported cases that black sand mining still exists in the guise of dredging the Cagayan River and has been blamed for the floods that submerged several areas in Aparri town.

In response, Engineer Geoffrey Prado made an assurance that black sand mining operations here in Cagayan are already suspended/stopped with the issuance of the corresponding orders.

Prado said that based on the monitoring of Mine and Management Division and Mining and Safety Division, there are no more extractions of black sand mining in Cagayan.

Further, he said that the Task Force on Illegal Mining is conducting regular monitoring activities to supervise the areas concerned if there are still black sand mining operations.

He also reiterated that before the operations of black sand mining in Cagayan, Aparri is already experiencing floods due to high tides or strong typhoons.

“As per testimony, we cannot blame the existence of black sand mining operation; Aparri has been experiencing floods with or without black sand mining, Prado said.”

“The floods could be a manifestation of climate change we are experiencing now, he added.”

The final cancellation of other permits is set at the end of this year.