GOVPH

Ancheta affirms end of Black sand mining in Cagayan

By: Lyndee Rose S. Basilio

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (MGB)- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 02 (MGB R02) through MGB Regional Director Mario Ancheta affirmed the end of black sand mining along the shorelines of Cagayan province.

Ancheta made an assurance that black sand mining in Cagayan is already stopped with the issuance of corresponding orders.

Ancheta ordered the former black sand mining permitees to conduct rehabilitation efforts in mining areas .

Further, he said that the mining companies should free the area with its mining equipment.

“By the end of 2014 we hope to see no traces of their operations (black sand mining),” Ancheta said referring to 10 China based mining firms whose permits were canceled last September by the MGB.

This interview was made in response to the issue that black sand mining still exists in guise of dredging.

Mines Bureau participates in JOGMEC conference

By: LRB

With the theme:”Sustainable Development and Environmental Conservation for the Mining Sector of the Philippines”, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the technical division chiefs from its Regional Offices participated in the seminar spearheaded by the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) held last January 23, 2017 at New World Hotel, Makati.

JOGMEC is a Japan-based company on minerals and energy that was established last 2004 to assure a stable supply of oil, natural gas, mineral resources, coal and geothermal energy of Japan and the Philippines.

 The said conference aimed to share information on exploration and environmental conservation for the mining sector, building good working rapport between the public and private sectors Japan.

Discussed during the conference were: Philippines’ Policy for the Development of Mining Sector; Japanese Policy for Sustainable Development of the Mining Sector in Asia; Philippines’ Investment Promotion in the Mining Sector; Overview of JOGMEC Exploration Activities; Pollution Prevention Measures of Abandoned Mines in Japan; Current Status and Futures Prospect of the Mining Sector in the Philippines; and Mining Business in the Philippines.

“ Since I assumed office last August 1, 2016, as Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary and Concurrent MGB Director, news and headlines highlighted the alleged environmental violations of miners, suspensions of mining operations and show cause orders, audit of mining operations pursuant to memorandum order 2016-01 of Secretary Gina Lopez,” said Mario Luis J. Jacinto in his keynote address.

He added,” I have always been inclined to believe that the responsible mining firms have nothing to fear from the conduct of the audit. I see the audit as in fact a blessing in disguise to responsible miners who have religiously followed and are compliant of mining and environmental laws, rules, and regulations.”

Engr. Rommel L. Amogan, Chief, Mine Safety, Environment, and Social Development Division (MSESDD); Engr. Raymond D. Carreon, OIC Chief of Mine Management Division (MMD); and Ms. Felicitas V. Piligan, Chief of Geosciences Division were the participants of Region 02 during the JOGMEC conference.

“ The mining industry will continue to be a potent force in the total effort for nation-building,” Jacinto expressed in his closing message.

OceanaGold to resume mining operations in Vizcaya

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- the Philippine government renewed the financial or technical assistance agreement (FTAA) of  OceanaGold Philippines Corporation in Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.

The FTAA was renewed retroactively from June 19, 2019 until 2044 with unchanged financial terms and conditions.

OceanaGold said in a statement, “The Company’s first operational priority is the rehiring and training of its Philippine workforce, which will include a focus on safeguarding workers from the current risks associated with COVID-19.”

It aims to restarts its operation “as soon as possible,” it will initially resume with the milling of stockpiled ore of about 19 million tonnes.

Geosciences Division intensifies IEC drive

 “ Public awareness about geologic hazards is important to mitigate its impact”, said Regional Director Engr. Mario A, Ancheta during the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) drive on Geohazard Assessment and Mapping Program at Valley Hotel, Alimanao Hills, Penablanca, Cagayan.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau thru its Geosciences Division intensified its IEC campaign by inviting local leaders and their barangay officials to inform them on the impacts of geologic hazards in the community.

Lectures focused on rain-induced landslide hazard, flood hazard and hazard in Karst Areas.

The IEC drive likewise presented to the LGUs of Tuguegarao City and Penablanca, Cagayan the 1:10,000 flood and landslide susceptibility maps of their respective barangays.

Geologists from MGB R0II explained to the local officials the use of the maps that will serve as their guides in their community-based disaster preparedness plans, comprehensive land use plans, development plans and identification of relocation sites in case of landslide and flooding incidents in their area.

In the year 2014, the Bureau has already completed the assessment of 93 cities/municipalities and over 2,000 barangays in the Cagayan Valley Region for their 1:10,000 mapping scale.

For 2015 onwards, MGB has been conducting region-wide IEC to educate the local government officials on geohazard. #LRB