ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Coalition for Responsible Mining in Mindanao (COREMin2), an alliance of key mining companies operating in Mindanao, has lauded the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) for issuing a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) against all forms of illegal mining in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region.
In a statement issued to the media, COREMIN2 President Rolando Doria cited the timeliness of the order issued by MGB Region 9 OIC-Director Albert Johann Jacildo in view of the rampant and alarming illegal mining activities in western Mindanao. The CDO was signed by Jacildo on April 13 and covers the entire Region 9.
“The issuance of the stoppage order is very timely considering the reported rampant violations perpetrated by illegal small-scale mining which have brought harm not only to the environment but also exploited the lowly people,” said COREMin2. “We view the CDO as an important first step towards ending environmentally destructive practices, child labor and unsafe working conditions, and rising criminality that have proliferated in the illegal mining areas.”
The group urged the speedy and effective implementation of the CDO by concerned authorities so that once and for all the national government and legitimate mining contractors can proceed unhampered with their obligations of developing responsibly the mineral resources of the State and eventually bring sustainable development to the communities.
The statement also said the Coalition condemns all forms of illegal activities, more particularly illegal small-scale mining, while it also categorically state that COREMin2 is not against legal small-scale mining projects which have complied with all the legal requirements, especially in putting up environmental protective and rehabilitation measures in their operations.
Further, the group reiterated its earlier call for the immediate and thorough review of Republic Act No. 7076 or the Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991, and strongly supports the proposal of reverting back to the MGB the mandate and authority of approving and regulating small-scale mining in the country.
COREMin2 is strongly committed to the responsible development of mineral resources in pursuit of sustainable development in Mindanao. The coalition lists TVI Resource Development Phils. Inc. (TVIRD), Philex Gold Phils. Inc. (PGPI), 168 Ferrum Pacific Mining Corp. (FPMC) and a number of Industrial Sand and Gravel (ISAG) permit-holders as among its members in Zamboanga Peninsula. Other COREMIN2 members include the Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI), Apex Mining Co., and MRL Gold Phils.
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