‘No let–up on SSM closure’
THE STOPPAGE of small-scale mining (SSM) activities in the Cordillera Administrative Region remains in effect, stressed Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
In a statement, DENR-Cordillera clarified on October 9, the National Task Force Itogon composed of DENR, Mines Geosciences Bureau, Environment and Management Bureau, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and Benguet Electric Cooperative recommended the end of the three-day Operation Itogon.
“On October 10, DENR Secretary Roy
Cimatu concurred with the recommendation of the Task Force to stop Operation Itogon. We would like to clarify, however that the stoppage order on all illegal small-scale mining and processing activities remains enforced. More importantly, the conclusion of the initial operations in Itogon does not mean that the stoppage order on all illegal SSM and processing activities in the Cordillera has been lifted,” adds DENR.
The environment agency stressed pending the declaration of Minahang Bayan, illegal SSM activity to be conducted outside Minahang Bayan is considered illegal.
“All closed and cordoned adits, ball mills and processing plants will not be utilized operated and mineral ores inventoried and cordoned off shall not be disposed further processed until such time that the stoppage order has been lifted and unless permitted by the national government.”
On Friday, Police Regional Office- Cordillera (PRO-CPR) Chief Superintendent Rolanda Nana said the status of stoppage of illegal SSM operations continue.
“In the absence of the approval of the resolution to be given by the Secretary of DENR we will still implement their order complete stoppage of all small-scale mining activities in the Cordillera,” stated Nana on Wednesday at Itogon regarding the lat- ter declaration of Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council creation of a resolution to support the small-scale miners request address to the secretary to possibly allow extraction of remaining unprocessed ores.
Nana mentioned during the order to stop all SSM activities four were arrested in Itogon transporting ores with 32 sacks of nava confiscated.
As of October 10, operation Itogon of the National Task Force Mining Challenge incurred a total of 539 closed adits within two-day operation including 335 ball mills cordoned, 33 kilograms cyanide seize, and 64,214 sacks of estimated mineral ore obtained.