MGB: No large-scale metal mines in WV

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Saturday, February 18,  2017
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ILOILO – Western Visayas does not have any operating large-scale metallic mines up for closure, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

There are no large-scale mines operating in Region 6, like the 23 metallic mines that Environment secretary Regina Paz Lopez ordered closed, said MGB regional director Leo Van Juguan.

“We are not affected by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Memorandum Order No. 2016-01, which mandated the audit of all operating mines and a moratorium on the approval of new mining projects,” he said.

Only small-scale mining operations, including sand and gravel and quarrying, exist in the region, said Juguan. “Their permits are issued by local government units.”

But mining firm Parvisgold Inc., which covers barangays in Pontevedra, President Roxas and Maayon towns in Capiz province, is covered by the order to cancel 75 mineral production sharing agreements (MPSA) for mining sites within watershed areas.

An MPSA is an agreement between the government and a contractor which grants the latter the exclusive right to conduct mining operations within the contract area.

In return, the government is given a share in the production of the contractor.

 “Some of these [sites covered] are not yet operating, on the stage of exploration or under the stage of additional documents to be completed prior to development,” said Juguan.

He also clarified that the Semirara Mining Corp. is not under the MGB’s jurisdiction.

“It is a mine, but that is under the DOE (Department of Energy) because that is a coal mine,” Juguan explained.

He said the DOE is in charge of reviewing and auditing the terms and conditions of coal mine operations. (PIA/PN)

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